UNFI’s Post

As an LGBTQ+ person, I know that the culture of the company you work for strongly affects both your work experience and daily life. I am happy to say that Strata has warmly welcomed me since I started, and it’s wonderful to be part of a company that supports LGBTQ+ people. It’s very important to highlight that as a community, we need to occupy more spaces, and the construction industry is one of them. According to a survey conducted in 2016 by the Construction Leadership Council, the LGBTQ+ community represented only 2% of construction employees. Among those LGBTQ+ surveyed, around 39% reported facing routine discrimination from colleagues or clients. While some aspects of our society seem to be improving since then, much work remains to be done. Facing this kind of situation in the workplace, or in any space, is completely unacceptable, and the community needs allies to fight against discrimination and inequality. If you are not part of the community, please remember that your support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, dignity, and well-being are more than necessary, and your solidarity can make a big difference. 🏳️🌈✊

Introducing the Manic Magazine pride logo for pride month! As we celebrate Pride Month, it's important to recognize that Pride is more than a colorful logo or a seasonal campaign. At Manic, we believe in fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated every day. Pride Month is a time to honor the courageous individuals who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights and continue to advocate for equality. It’s about recognizing the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community and understanding that our commitment to inclusivity goes beyond June. In the world of journalism, we have a unique platform to amplify voices that have historically been marginalized. We strive to tell stories that reflect the rich diversity of our community and showcase the beauty of individuality. At Manic, we are dedicated to creating content that inspires, educates, and supports all identities. This Pride Month, let’s go beyond the surface and make a lasting impact. Let’s pledge to listen, learn, and advocate for true equality. Together, we can build a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #Inclusion #Diversity #TheManicMagazine #EqualityForAll

It was great to lead the Route team in this discussion yesterday covering the importance of representation for all groups in advertising and the value that this thinking gives to business. Some really good debate about the importance of language and context in society, and also in activation when considering things like key word strategy through to linear TV ad placement. Really important topics that are the backbone of planning on a daily basis.

Love these insightful tips from my friend Damon Maassen, CPTD to ensure our Pride month activities are authentic and have lasting impact for LGBTQ+ inclusion all year long. Have a read in the link below!

🔔 I’m beyond proud to share this fabulous blog post written by my incredible colleague Damon Maassen, CPTD– “Moving Beyond Rainbows: Planning for LGBTQ+ Pride Month and Year-Round Inclusion.”  A lot of recent media pieces about the current state of the DEI industry have advanced overly simplistic takes that fail to acknowledge what we see on the ground every day in our work with clients. While the legal and political landscape has indeed shifted, so too have the workforce’s explicit expectations for safety and support for LBGTQ+ team members, especially given an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and generational shifts in the labor market. In 2022, 7.6% of the adult population identified as LGBTQ+, representing more than double the rate in 2012*. A main catalyst for this societal change can be attributed to Gen Z. 28% of all Gen Zers report being members of the LGBTQ+ population, and Gen Zers are expected to constitute nearly ⅓ of the labor force by the end of the 2020s.** A similar percentage of LGBTQ+ employees have left their employers because of a lack of support for their sexual and/or gender identity.** So what’s the solution? Damon offers some actionable tips for employers to uplift and amplify LGBTQ+ teammates year-round, through both behavioral and structural initiatives. Behavioral initiatives focus on how team members in an organization interact with and learn from, one another. Structural initiatives involve transforming processes, systems, and tools. A few of my favorite recommendations from his piece include: ❇ Historical Recognition: Take the time to educate employees and stakeholders about the historical milestones, struggles, and achievements of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Incorporate historical context into Pride Month programming, including discussions, documentaries, guest speakers, or educational resources highlighting key moments in LGBTQ+ history. ❇ Honor LGBTQ+ Trailblazers: Recognize and honor LGBTQ+ trailblazers, leaders, activists, and advocates who have made significant contributions to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. Host awards ceremonies, panel discussions, or virtual tributes to celebrate their impact and legacy. ❇ Engage in Advocacy: Advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equality both internally and externally. Stay informed about legislative developments impacting the LGBTQ+ community and actively support initiatives that promote inclusivity and social justice. ❇ Review Policies and Benefits: Evaluate company policies, benefits, and practices to ensure they are inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ employees. This includes non-discrimination policies, gender-neutral language, healthcare coverage for transgender individuals, and family leave policies that recognize diverse family structures. Check out the full post below! Sources: *Gallop News (2024): “LGBTQ+ Identification in the US” **Ten Thousand Coffees  (2024): “The State of LGBTQ+ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace in 2024”

What is an LGBTQ+ ally? The aim of an ally, or advocate, is to step into the shoes of their LGBTQ+ colleagues, understand the challenges they face, and promote greater understanding of their needs and concerns. Many people within the construction industry are becoming allies to actively support LGBTQ+ colleagues, who may be feeling vulnerable or unable to truly be themselves at work. These people voluntarily choose to champion diversity and inclusion within construction, and lead initiatives to raise awareness of the issues members of the LGBTQ+ community experience on a daily basis. Allyship can lead to positive change and greater diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. Help change the construction industry for the better as an LGBTQ+ advocate and ally with Go Construct – find out more 🏳️🌈 https://bit.ly/4ep7eIc #pridemonth #lgbtq #ally #advocate #diversity #inclusion

The technology industry has made great strides with fostering inclusive and diverse workplaces, however there is still more to be done - especially for the LGBTQ+ community. “LGBTQ+ leaders are few and far between in the industry,” says our Account Manager, Nick Hall, in the latest issue of Capacity Media. “By letting LGBTQ+ visibility fall by the wayside, companies are at risk of seeming ignorant to the needs of a whole pool of talent.” Read Nick's full article below 💻, and find what more can be done to ensure that we uplift our LGBTQ+ colleagues, be active allies and create safe spaces 🏳️🌈 https://lnkd.in/eWP2cVnb #DiversityInTech #LGBTQplusLeaders #InclusiveWorkplaces #InclusionMatters #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee

As August approaches, it's crucial to remember that Pride isn't just a month-long celebration; it's a commitment we need to uphold every day. As allies and advocates, our support for the LGBTQ+ community must be unwavering, 365 days a year. This is especially important for our friends in the United States, who are facing a critical election. The stakes are high, with former President Trump running on a platform that includes rolling back hard-won LGBTQ+ rights and threatening broader human rights. The next few months are pivotal in ensuring that these rights are not only preserved but strengthened. Now, more than ever, we need to stand up, speak out, and take action. Being an ally means educating ourselves, supporting LGBTQ+ organizations, and voting for leaders who champion equality and justice for all. It’s about creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive, free from fear and discrimination. Let's keep the spirit of Pride alive every day. Our collective efforts can make a significant difference in the fight for equality and human rights. Together, we can ensure a future where love, dignity, and respect prevail. #inclusionmatters #lgbt #rbc #pride365 #ally #pride #speakup #humanrights #kamalaharris #gayrights #standtogether

As LGBTQ+ Pride Month approaches in June, organizations have an opportunity to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community in meaningful and impactful ways. While changing a company logo to a rainbow during Pride Month is a visible sign of inclusion, it's crucial for organizations to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the year. This is especially important in light of the current legislative landscape, with a staggering 484 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the United States, according to the ACLU. These bills underscore the ongoing challenges and discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community, making it imperative for organizations to go beyond symbolic gestures and take concrete actions to create inclusive environments. In the first part of my blog post, I share strategies for ensuring that Pride Month celebrations are intersectional, diverse, and historically grounded. I then highlight the importance of ongoing inclusion efforts throughout the year, including strategies for education, policy review, advocacy, and more. Finally, I provide some incredible resources to support these efforts. It is a true privilege and pleasure to be part of the dynamic ModelExpand team. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts on this incredibly important topic. #InclusionMatters #DiversityAndInclusion #LGBTQAllyship #YearRoundPride #InclusiveWorkplace

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ colleagues, friends, and loved ones. As allies, we have the opportunity to use our voices and actions to create a more inclusive, affirming, and equitable world for all. Whether it's educating ourselves, amplifying LGBTQ+ perspectives, advocating for policy change, or simply being a compassionate listener, there are many ways we can be active allies. Speak up against discrimination, use inclusive language, and challenge heteronormative assumptions. Attend Pride events, donate to LGBTQ+ organizations, and promote visibility of LGBTQ+ role models. Most importantly, lead with empathy, respect diverse identities, and make space for LGBTQ+ individuals to live authentically. Together, we can build a culture of acceptance, support, and pride - not just in June, but all year round. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #Allyship #InclusiveWorkplace #DiversityAndInclusion #SpeakUp #EmbraceIdentity #ChallengeAssumptions #EmpathyOverEgo #CelebratePride #SupportEquality #ActivistAllies #ShowUpForEachOther #ProgressivePerspectives #ChangeStartsWithUs