The Winters Group, Inc.’s Post

🌈 Protest of Pride Month 🌈 As Pride Month unfolds, it's a time to reflect on the multifaceted significance of this period. For the LGBTQ+ community, including myself, Pride is a powerful reminder of our journey towards visibility, acceptance, and equality. My experiences as a gay man have been marked by both personal and professional encounters with homophobia. From subtle microaggressions in the workplace to overt discrimination in public spaces, these experiences have shaped my resolve to advocate for change. Each instance of prejudice has reinforced the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive without fear of judgment or reprisal. Pride is undeniably a celebration—a joyous affirmation of our identities and the progress we've made. It's about being able to be ourselves, openly and authentically, without having to hide. However, it's crucial to remember that the origins of Pride are rooted in protest. The Stonewall Riots of 1969 were a defiant response to systemic oppression, igniting a movement that continues to challenge the status quo. While we've made significant strides, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. It's a sobering reality that in some parts of the world, being gay is still punishable by death. Rights that have been hard-won can also be easily lost, which is why we must remain vigilant and proactive in our advocacy. Pride serves as a reminder that we must continue to challenge discrimination, push for legislative change, and support our global community. As we celebrate this month, let's remember the primary reason for Pride: to protest against injustice and fight for equality. Let's honor those who paved the way before us and stand in solidarity with those who continue to face persecution. Our collective voice is powerful, and together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, can live freely authentically. Here's to celebrating our progress, acknowledging our struggles, and committing to a future of true equality. Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #Equality #Inclusion #StandUpForLGBTQRights #CelebrateAndProtest

Pride month: a crucial celebration, but beware corporate rainbow washing. (A personal view...) June is seen as a month to recognise and celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusion. This is really important; folks from the LGBTQ+ community have faced (and in many parts of the world still face) persecution. Visibility is important. You'll see the rainbow flag used by brands as an outward show of support. Kudos. But, questions to ask are 1. What does that company do to support the LGBTQ+ community both inside and outside their walls? 2. For multinationals: Is the rainbow used on ALL their social media pages, or only the countries where it'll likely be well-received? Pride month is important. It should be recognised and celebrated. But those that talk about it ought to be doing stuff to support the cause, both inside and outside their walls, IMHO. And they should be doing it not just in the geographies where it accepted by the mainstream. Those where LGBTQ+ folks are marginalised are EVEN more important for visible support to be shown. And we shouldn't be shy in constructively calling out those that "talk the talk" without "walking the walk". (And before anybody asks: I'm proud to work for a company that has, in the past few years: Supported the funding of a documentary about Section 28 -- a vile piece of "don't say gay" legislation in the UK that existed in the 80s and 90s; sponsored our local Pride event Portsmouth Pride Trust ).

In respect for Pride Month, toth shop is recognizing friends and collaborators, stories and insightful words among those in the LGBTQ+ communities. We are proud to share your voices with our toth shop community. Some 101 today: How, when & where did the word and brand 'Pride' originate? Craig Schoonmaker, a longtime activist and member of the New York planning committee for the first Pride Parade held in June 1970, didn’t fully realize how much of an impact his words would have when he proposed “Pride” as the event’s slogan. In an interview years later, he reflected on why he chose that specific word: “The poison was shame, and the antidote was pride.” Today, Pride is embraced by millions across the globe. It’s a time to celebrate and commemorate the contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society, and cultures worldwide. For business owners, it’s a time to re-evaluate your own words and how you are communicating with your customers through copy & content. Here’s an easy start - prioritize inclusive language. Our language has the ability to normalize the ideas or beliefs of a society, and it only requires micro shifts: + Use gender neutral pronouns  + Use people-first phrases  + Not using phrases rooted in homophobia, racism, sexism, etc.   + Learn the appropriate, modern descriptors for groups For more tips, check out this blog about “writing copy in the era of conscious consumerism” penned by Steph Nagl. A link to Steph's piece is linked in comments below. 

❤️ I've been mulling over my Pride Month post for 17 days now... in some ways I feel guilty for not joining the conversation sooner, but equally, you see a lot of posts going out at the beginning of the month, so maybe it was better to wait. 🧡 The reason for the delay is knowing the right thing to say... 💛 But I've come to the conclusion that I should say what matters to me, if people don't agree or my post takes a different angle to others, that's OK - because isn't part of Pride Month about embracing being different and celebrating individuality? 💚 For me, Pride Month is about raising awareness of the LGBTQ+ community and how we continue to integrate into the modern world. Of course, I try to do this all year round - after all, I'm gay all 12 months of the year, not just one - but I feel in June (rightly or wrongly) we have a larger platform to shout from. 💙 In an ideal world, we would all just be human and the labels wouldn't matter, but unfortunately, we live in a world of discrimination and judgement. LGBTQ+ rights have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, yet still in 2024, the community faces challenges and violence. Will we ever achieve equality for all? 💜 We put a lot of pressure on businesses to be diverse and inclusive, and while I think this is hugely important and necessary, I think we should put more focus on individuals to educate themselves - and therefore this is my challenge... 🌈 For Pride Month, whether your part of the community or an ally, go and learn something new about Pride or the LGBTQ+ movement and share it in the comments below. 👇

🏳️🌈 WHY PRIDE MONTH IS IMPORTANT 🏳️⚧️ As we enjoy Pride Month celebrations, it's important to think about what Pride really means. It's not just about fun parades and parties; it's a poignant reminder of the enduring struggle for equality and acceptance. For many of us, being able to embrace our identity openly is a privilege we often take for granted. For many LGBTQ+ people all around the world, just being who they are can be really risky. They face discrimination, violence, and unfair treatment because of who they love or how they identify themselves. 💡 Let's take a moment to consider the stories of those who live in fear simply because of who they love or how they identify. Imagine the anguish of a young person ostracized by their community for daring to be authentic. Picture the heartbreak of a family torn apart by prejudice and misunderstanding. Think of the kids who got bullied so much for being different and unfortunately took their lives due to lack of support and the immense trauma they went through. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are the harsh realities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals every single day. Before we jest about the notion of a "Straight Pride" parade, let's pause and reflect on the significance of Pride itself. It emerged as a defiant stance against the forces of discrimination and marginalization. It serves as a beacon of hope for those who have been made to feel invisible and ashamed. Our journey towards true equality is far from over. While we celebrate the progress we've made, we must also acknowledge the work that lies ahead. Let's amplify the voices of those who continue to fight for their rights, both here at home and across the globe. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 Let's stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ siblings, affirming their right to love and live authentically. Together, we can create a world where everyone is celebrated for who they are, regardless of whom they love or how they identify. May the Pride be with you! 🌟 #pridemonth #lgbtq #equality #humanrights #authenticity #inclusionmatters #deib #inclusion #diversity

In respect for 🌈 Pride Month, toth shop is recognizing friends and collaborators, stories and insightful words among those in the LGBTQ+ communities. We are proud to share your voices with our toth shop community. Some 101 today: How, when & where did the word and brand 'Pride' originate? Craig Schoonmaker, a longtime activist and member of the New York planning committee for the first Pride Parade held in June 1970, didn’t fully realize how much of an impact his words would have when he proposed “Pride” as the event’s slogan. In an interview years later, he reflected on why he chose that specific word: “The poison was shame, and the antidote was pride.” Today, Pride is embraced by millions across the globe. It’s a time to celebrate and commemorate the contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community to history, society, and cultures worldwide. For business owners, it’s a time to re-evaluate your own words and how you are communicating with your customers through copy & content. Here’s an easy start - prioritize inclusive language. Our language has the ability to normalize the ideas or beliefs of a society, and it only requires micro shifts: 🫶 Use gender neutral pronouns  🫶 Use people-first phrases  🫶 Not using phrases rooted in homophobia, racism, sexism, etc.   Learn the appropriate, modern descriptors 🫶 for groups For more tips, check out this blog about “writing copy in the era of conscious consumerism” penned by Steph Nagl. A link to Steph's piece is linked in comments below. ✌️

There is one thing I often see missing from Pride Month programming that is part of other communities' months of awareness and celebrations: The ways in which LGBTQ+ have shaped and made the world better for all of us. Of course, it's important to find moments of joy and celebration, as well as a time to raise awareness of ongoing issues (515 anti-LGBT bills in 2024). It is also important for people to see themselves represented, and understand how people like them, people from their community, have contributed to everyone having a better experience in this world. There is an undeniable link between our self-esteem and knowing our history, our value, our power. So I share with you today three LGBTQ+ people who helped us: - defeat the Nazis in World War II - draft the Economic Bill of Rights with Franklin D. Roosevelt - establish a model for social welfare It is important for both LGBTQ+ people and allies alike, to inform themselves of the value, contributions, and excellence of our community. For LGBTQ+ folks to see their footprint in this world, and for allies to be appreciative of the benefits. If you are looking for an engaging speaker and educator for your organization or company's Pride Month festivities, I am currently booking speaking engagements (virtual or in-person in NYC). My approach is a mix of history, culture, and actionable steps we can all take in the workplace to help LGBTQ+ feel seen and supported. Do you know these LGBTQ+ historical figures? Are there other figures you highlight during Pride Month? 📧 Schedule a brainstorm call with me through calendly, no charge! :) - https://lnkd.in/dgW6NAJk #pridemonth #lgbthistory #lgbtfigures #pride #lgbtexcellence

Howʼs your Pride Month campaign going? 🏳️🌈 June is here, and spreading awareness about the LGBTQ+ community is at its peak. But is it really? Sadly, most companies are limited to adding rainbow symbols to their campaign visuals. If your goal is to show genuine support and authentically connect with the queer community, our latest article is just for you. Learn how to find meaningful ways to communicate with your LGBTQ+ audience by clicking the link: https://lnkd.in/eXY7FwQb

This year, #pride seems to be a bit less colorful than in years past; as states implement restrictions on DEI programming and cut funds for such programming at corporations, universities, and offices, being a proud ally or celebrating the LGBTQ+ community feels more defiant than it has in recent years. However, even in this climate, some major companies have created campaigns that feel modern, relevant, and impactful. Read our latest blog post, highlighting some of our favorite #advertising campaigns to come out of #Pride2024. https://lnkd.in/eG8Xpdr9