PWHL’s Post

Marsha P. Johnson: 'No Pride for Some of Us Without Liberation for All of Us' 🏳️🌈 Marsha P. Johnson's powerful words serve as a reminder that true pride and progress come from lifting each other up, hand in hand. Inclusivity isn't just a buzzword; it's a commitment to a brighter future where every voice is heard and valued. As a coach, I wholeheartedly embrace this message. My workshops are meticulously designed to build bridges and foster understanding among diverse individuals. We delve deep into the unique experiences of neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ communities, promoting acceptance and celebration of every individual's identity. In our collective journey towards liberation and equality, no one should be left behind. It's not just about some of us; it's about all of us. Together, we can create a world where pride knows no bounds, where every person is free to express their authentic self, and where diversity is our greatest strength. Let's continue Marsha P. Johnson's legacy by working hand in hand to build a more inclusive and equitable society. Your voice matters, and together, we can ensure that no one is left behind in our pursuit of progress and liberation. 🌍🌈 #InclusivityMatters #PrideForAll

Every June, cities around the world are awash in vibrant rainbows as the LGBTQ+ community and allies celebrate Pride Month. This celebration is often associated with coming out, a pivotal moment for many LGBTQ+ individuals. However, Pride Month is about much more than that. It is a powerful affirmation of pride in oneself, a celebration of self-acceptance, and a call to embrace our authentic identities. Coming out is undoubtedly significant; it marks a personal and often transformative journey. Yet, Pride Month extends beyond this singular act. It is about recognizing and honoring the ongoing process of self-acceptance. For many, embracing their identity is a lifelong journey that involves overcoming societal prejudices, internalized stigma, and personal struggles. Pride Month celebrates the courage it takes to live authentically every day. Moreover, Pride is about visibility and representation. It serves as a reminder that LGBTQ+ individuals exist in all walks of life and deserve to be seen, heard, and respected. This visibility is crucial in fostering a sense of belonging and community, especially for those who might feel isolated or marginalized as I did growing up and even through my young adulthood. I felt I was worth less than the folks who were “normal”. At its core, Pride is about love and self-respect. It’s a declaration that everyone deserves to love and be loved, free from fear and discrimination. It's about acknowledging the worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In essence, Pride Month is a celebration of the entire journey of self-acceptance. It’s about coming out, yes, but it's also about what comes after—living openly, authentically, and proudly. It’s a time to embrace who we are and to support others in their journeys toward self-acceptance. Pride is not just an event; it's a powerful affirmation of identity, community, and love…FOR EVERYONE. I’m proud to be a part of an organization who celebrates this month with our community!

I was absolutely honored to be able to contribute to Eptura's most recent blog about the importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging in the workplace. This is such an important topic to consider, especially during 🌈 Pride Month 🌈 . Thrilled to get to work for a company that prioritizes inclusion and diversity--check out the article below!

Pride Month 2024. Symbolic events have so often been co-opted and capitalised that somewhere we forget the reason for their existence in the first place. Pride month is rooted in resistance, protest and activism. Ask yourself, how many queer/trans people of colour do you see in leadership roles and positions of power. How many of those come from the global south, lower socio-economic classes, and are from ethno-linguistic and caste minority communities. This pride month, disengage with companies profiting off of performative ‘rainbow coloured profiles’ and engage with queer/trans voices, artists and activists. Take a moment to learn about cross movement solidarity and the need to support movements of resistance around the world. Begin your allyship by centering queer/trans lived experiences in your workspaces over the next four weeks and by ensuring inclusivity is intersectional and not transactional moving forward. Till then I leave you with a quote from one of favourite authors, the black lesbian feminist activist Audre Lorde- “There is no thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” #pridemonth2024 #queerrights #transrights #intersectionality

JND Legal Administration, support that is superficial is getting called out these days. Supporting the LGBTQ+ community requires more than making a post and supporting gay white men… you’ve still got to work on eliminating racism and sexism in your workplace before you can be any kind of positive ally. Yes, I know Jennifer Keough and Neil Zola (who has either removed his profile, or is a sexist and racist coward who blocked me) don’t care. However, Jen seems to care about her social media image and Neil seems to care about liability. A push on both could help towards change. Holding yourself to the standards of Seattle would help your social media image, reduce liability, and if done correctly, would increase both morale and productivity. There’s a reason most business people in Seattle see taking care of your employees as a no brainer, common sense approach. #JNDLegalAdministration #classactions #civilrights #toxicworkenviroment #seattle #LGBTQ+ #alphabetmafia #neilzola

It's time we began pushing boundaries to build an environment that's more accepting and loving. An environment where inclusivity feels natural, and isn't looked at as a privilege. It's time we started looking beyond these boundaries to spark conversations, which in turn create real-world impact. Cos closets are for clothes, not for identities. Couldn't have gone through this rollercoaster of a project without the help of the beautiful humans at Leo Burnett and IKEA. Team Leo Burnett: Rajeev Rakshit Bhawana C. Keerthi Kumar.R Anahita Brar Ananya Samantaray PRAVIN SUTAR Sandeep V Maudgal Iyer jamuna poovaiah Sanjeev Tripathi Niharika Mishra Natasha Khubchandani Sarjit Talwar Akhil Malshet Team IKEA: Kasturi Lal Abhishek Dutta Abhishek Jotwani Jayendra Gupta Chandan M Punita Dialani

Over the summer we at Trivium Packaging ran an internal campaign where people shared their reflections about Pride and LGBTQ+ topics. I was impressed by the courage and openness shown by the employees who contributed. It was also an eye-opener to see how many are impacted by diversity and inclusion in many different ways. As one of the employees put it: “Inclusion is everyone’s business.”   I would also argue that improving understanding of DEIB is business critical. Diverse teams bring diversity of thought when people feel included and accepted which in turn spurs innovation and growth. Diversity also addresses recruitment challenges by widening the talent pool. So, yes, “inclusion is everyone’s business” and it is also the foundation for business growth and continuity.   Keep an eye on Trivium Packaging’s LinkedIn to read a few of the reflections from our employees. #WeContainWhatMatters

#Pride is less than a month away, and once again the haters have ramped up their campaign against businesses such as Target from selling Pride merchandise, and one again some of my fellow members of the #LGBTQ community are complaining about these companies apparently backing down from the haters. My question to those members of the LGBTQ community who complain about #Target and other companies shifting their policies towards selling Pride merchandise is what should a publicly traded company do to protect it's employees and property from some Trumpanzee wearing a MAGA hat two sizes too small so it doesn't cover the point on their head from potentially causing harm to their employees or property? Do you really expect a Target employee who's paid minimum wage to stand up to and possibly take a punch or worse by some attention seeking knuckle dragger who's recording their stomping a styrofoam Pride display just so they can get some views on YouTube? The responsible answer to my question is "NO!" One solution to the problem which I am suggesting to the LGBTQ community who want to purchase Pride merchandise from a business which is trying to deal with haters while both protecting their employees and property, as well as showing some support by offering Pride merchandise is, if possible, purchase Pride merchandise from the business's web site if it is offered. To that end here is the URL to Pride merchandise being offered by Target: https://lnkd.in/g7a8AzCi You can also purchase Pride merchandise from local businesses as well, to show your support of their supporting Pride. While you may not be too happy with the solution I am proposing you can take some joy from the fact it is a potential solution the haters, and it helps keep hardworking employees safe from harm, and more importantly it sends a message to the haters that they can't stop Pride or keep the LGBTQ community from celebrating Pride. I may or may not get some negative remarks from other members of the LGBTQ (or trolls pretending to be members of the LGBTQ community 😉 ), but I take pride in offering a solution to keeping Pride safe, and to show the haters the LGBTQ community can out whit them without too much effort. PS: Also consider that complaining about companies like Target shifting their policies regarding Pride is also what the haters want. PPS: Hate is bad for #business. Stand up to it or find ways around it. #LGBTQCommunity #AcceptanceMatters #NoToHate

🗓️ June is one of my favourite months of the year 6️⃣ 🌈 While I read posts celebrating Pride Month, I realize is also the 13th anniversary of the Ruggie’s “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. “🔖 The intersection of both occasions is clear: business have a vital role towards the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people. And businesses are built by the people! As I reflect on my journey towards an LGBTQIA+ ally, here are some steps I have taken: ➡️ I took time to educate myself on language use or historical events such as the Stonewall riots. ➡️ I tried to ask and listen before stating. Because only members of the community can say what feels right - or wrong. ➡️ I worked to challenge and unlearn the biases ingrained in my upbringing. ➡️ I started to speak out against exclusive statements or microagressions. Today beyond my corporate role, I continue on my learning journey. 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈Because the basics are in the Human Rights Declaration: all human beings are equal. #pridemonth #humanrights

Check out our newest blog post: "During a time when organizations are retracting support from the LGBTQIA+ community, it is our steadfast commitment to our mission that allows the YWCA to maintain unwavering dedication." 🧡 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eBVfgBfE