Kerry’s Post

Creating safe, equitable, and inclusive societies is not just the right thing to do; as the evidence shows, it’s what’s best for business and economies across the globe. At a time when violence, discriminatory laws, and anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric are all increasing, global business leaders have an opportunity and a responsibility to advance safety and inclusion for their LGBTIQ+ employees and consumers. This week, The Partnership for Global LGBTIQ+ Equality (PGLE) launched the 2nd annual ‘Pride on the Promenade,’ a united show of support for LGBTIQ+ people through a rainbow light-up of multiple venues and signs across the Promenade in Davos, Switzerland during the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Annual Meeting. The initiative, organized by Accenture, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, and PGLE, celebrates the progress of LGBTIQ+ human rights and serves as a call to action for necessary advances in global LGBTIQ+ acceptance and equality. Over 20 companies participated this year which is more than our inaugural event last year. https://lnkd.in/eSzpag9d

Historically, LGBTQIA+ leaders have been at the forefront of social change, advocating for the rights and recognition of LGBTQIA+ individuals and other marginalized groups. Figures like Harvey Milk and Marsha P. Johnson, for example, have help dismantled systemic barriers and challenged discriminatory practices, contributing to a vision for a more just and equitable world. In corporate spaces, LGBTQIA+ leaders are driving diversity and inclusion practices, championing stakeholder governance to prioritize the well-being and interests of all stakeholders, thereby ensuring that LGBTQIA+ individuals and other marginalized groups have a genuine voice. To mark #InternationalPrideDay, we spoke with three LGBTQIA+ led #BCorps – BUDDY BUDDY, Eosis, and Mightybytes, Certified B Corp — to learn how they successfully integrate stakeholder governance into their business practices and continuously work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable system. Their authenticity, resilience, and commitment to inclusivity set a powerful example, encouraging others to embrace diversity as a strength and to build workplaces and communities where everyone can thrive. 🏳️🌈🔗 Read the full blog post on our website to learn more about their stories: https://bit.ly/4eI09T9 #LGBTQIA #DiversityAndInclusion #StakeholderGovernance #BCorp

🌍❤️ As we fight for a better future for LGBTQ+ people, we must not forget the climate challenges that future generations will face. Advocating for a healthier planet is paramount to ensuring that our community can thrive. Climate change affects us all, and it’s vital that we raise awareness and take action to protect our environment for the sake of our community and future generations. Global warming is driven by several factors, including greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. To create a greener world, we can take small yet impactful actions, such as reducing our energy consumption, choosing sustainable transportation options, supporting renewable energy, and advocating for policies that protect our environment. Together, let’s champion both LGBTQ+ rights and a sustainable planet—because a brighter future for all means caring for our home! 🌈✨ Take Action: 👉 Visit our website to learn more about how you can help protect LGBTQ+ content and support our initiatives: https://lnkd.in/g7mcCZWA 👉 Leave your comments and feedback below. We value your input! 👉 Consider making a donation to keep our vital project alive and support LGBTQ+ community. https://lnkd.in/gWQYhn-7

As we continue our efforts towards gender equity and equality, it's essential to reflect on our actions and attitudes. While one day isn't enough to dismantle patriarchy and institutionalize equitable spaces, we can start by making commitments to #inspireinclusion in our personal, professional, and communal spheres. Today, I'm sharing some of my commitments with you all: 1. Enable before canceling: I pledge to understand diverse perspectives with empathy and listen intently. I will create enabling spaces through organizing, community dialogue, and introspection before canceling opinions that differ from mine. 2. Turning rage into reasoning and resilience: I recognize the historical and systemic oppression that my community and I face, leading to accumulated rage. This year, I pledge to channel that rage into organizing, collective healing, advocacy, and building resilience. 3. Practice self-compassion and self-encouragement: In my journey of activism, I've learned that centering empathy towards myself is as important as centering my work. I commit to taking care of myself and healing myself, so I can show up fully for my community. Let's make this year count by living authentically, intently, compassionately, and with radical empathy. In solidarity! #inspireinclusion #iwd2024 P.S All moments captured don’t have to be perfect. :)

🌈 Beyond the Rainbow: Seeking Substance Over Symbols 🌈 As Pride month unfolds, we witness a surge of rainbow logos and themed merchandise. While visibility is crucial, it's essential to ask: Are these colorful displays backed by real support and inclusion? "Rainbow washing" risks reducing a powerful movement for equality to mere marketing. True ally-ship involves more than just seasonal changes in branding. It means advocating for policies that protect LGBTQI+ rights, fostering an inclusive workplace culture year-round, and supporting LGBTQI+ initiatives and charities not just in June, but consistently. As consumers and professionals, let's demand more than just surface-level support: 1. Transparency: Are companies open about their contributions and policies regarding LGBTQI+ rights? 2. Consistency: Do these companies show continuous support, or is their commitment limited to Pride month? 3. Impact: What tangible actions are companies taking to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQI+ individuals? Let’s celebrate Pride by supporting those who support true change, every day of the year. #PrideMonth #LGBTQRights #CorporateResponsibility #AuthenticAllyship

Hey y'all... It's that time of the year where we start seeing rainbows splattered across social media from Brands. I was reviewing the companies that were looking at my profile on Friday (May 31st), their logos were unedited - checking again on Monday and 3 out of 5 were re-designed with the rainbow. This is a message to companies that 're-brand' every June... Don't be an #OpticalAlly - it's not a good look for you, trust me. Here are a few questions for Brands to answer before they jump on the bandwagon... • Are your policies LGBTQ2SIA supportive (healthcare, HR / company policies)? • Are those policies enforced? • Does your company support non-profits that support the LGBTQ2SIA community? • Does your company financially support anti-LGBTQ2SIA politicians and causes? • As a Brand, are you vocal in your support for the community on the other 11 months? Pride isn't about Branding, it started as a riot - a fight for rights and equality that continues today. Just a point of view from your favorite neighborhood #TransMenace #Pride2024 #VisibleAF #Transgender

Our LGBTQIA+ community isn't just strong – we're resilient AF. 💪🌈🏳️⚧️ We've faced adversity, discrimination, and challenges throughout history, and are yet again facing growing hostilities. Despite this, we continue to rise, thrive, and build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. Our resolve is solid. ✊ This resilience isn't a choice, IT IS A NECESSITY. It is the strength we forge through shared struggles, the unity we find in our beautiful diversity, and the love and hope for a better life that fuels our fight for equality. 🟰 Bay Area Pride celebrates this resilience and recognizes that it extends beyond our community. EVERYONE, regardless of their background, identity, or where they were born, deserves the opportunity to not just survive, but to thrive. 🌞 A thriving, diverse community isn't just good for society, it's good for business. Research shows that companies with diverse and inclusive cultures are more innovative, more profitable, and have higher employee engagement. Join us in building a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone. Visit our website to learn more and get involved! 👉 www.bayareapride.org Like, follow, and share our page to stay connected and spread the love. 📢 Be a part of making the workplace and society a place where everyone can flourish, not just survive. 🌟 #BayAreaPride #WhereEveryoneBelongs #Pride2024 #LGBTQIA #Ally #Community #Strength #Resilience #Love #DiversityAndInclusion #Leadership

LGBTQIA+ environmental justice experts and advocates are crucial in the ongoing effort to protect the environment and communities disproportionately affected by climate change. These inspiring individuals motivate us daily to continue striving for a healthier, more just, and prosperous world. Some LGBTQIA-led environmental justice organizations doing this important work that we want to highlight are: • Real Estate Pride Council, a global council that advocates for LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in commercial real estate and the professions of the built environment • OUT for Sustainability, an organization that provides a platform for co-creating climate resilience and environmental justice by and for LGBTQIA+ communities • Queers x Climate, an international organization dedicated to uniting and supporting climate and LGBTQ+ activism to develop and implement solutions for our common global climate crisis • The Venture Out Project, an organization that leads backpacking and wilderness trips for the queer and transgender community and conducts transgender inclusion workshops for educators, adventure professionals, summer camps, and other organizations #Pride2023 #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA+ #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalJustice

🔊 CMGJ in Action 📢 ➡️ This week, our Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Lara-Zuzan Golesorkhi, participated in the Equal @ Work Seminar, organized by European Network Against Racism Aisbl (ENAR) in Brussels, Belgium. ℹ️ The two-day event focused on “Operationalizing Intersectionality: Methods & Challenges” and provided a space to foster a deeper understanding of intersectionality while emphasizing its practical application in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) tools and practices in workplaces. 🙌🏽Thanks to ENAR for bringing different perspectives together in addressing this important topic. #migration #gender #justice #labor #intersectionality

🏳️🌈 As Pride Month is well underway, it's important to address the issue of rainbow washing. Rainbow washing occurs when companies adopt rainbow branding during Pride Month without supporting the LGBTQ+ community in meaningful ways. This superficial allyship can be misleading and harmful, as it often prioritizes profit over genuine advocacy. Rainbow washing can take many forms, such as: 🔄Changing logos to rainbow colours for the month without implementing any internal policies that support LGBTQ+ employees 🏷️Advertising Pride-themed products without donating any proceeds to LGBTQ+ charities or organizations 📣Promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in marketing campaigns while supporting politicians or policies that harm LGBTQ+ rights For instance, a major retail chain might release a Pride collection but fail to protect its LGBTQ+ employees from workplace discrimination or harassment Authentic support means championing LGBTQ+ rights year-round, not just during Pride Month. It involves: 📜Implementing comprehensive non-discrimination policies that protect LGBTQ+ employees 🎓Providing EDI training that addresses LGBTQ+ issues 🤝 Supporting LGBTQ+ organizations & initiatives consistently, not just during Pride 🏢 Creating an inclusive workplace culture where LGBTQ+ employees feel safe and valued Actionable Takeaway: As consumers and advocates, we can push for real change by supporting businesses that demonstrate genuine allyship. Here’s what you can do: 🔍 Research: Look into companies' year-round support for LGBTQ+ rights. Do they have inclusive policies? Do they support LGBTQ+ organizations? ❓Ask Questions: Engage with companies on social media or through customer service channels. Ask how they support the LGBTQ+ community beyond Pride Month. 💸 Support Authentic Brands: Choose to spend your money with businesses that show a genuine commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. 📢 Raise Awareness: Use your platform to highlight examples of rainbow washing and promote companies that are true allies. By taking these actions, we can hold businesses accountable and ensure that Pride Month is celebrated with integrity and real support for the LGBTQ+ community. [alt description in the comments] #PrideMonth #RainbowWashing #AuthenticAllyship #LGBTQSupport #EquityInAction #DiversityMatters  #InclusionJourney  #DiversityandInclusion #DiverseVoices #EqualityForAll #SocialJustice #Empowerment #RepresentationMatters #InclusiveLeadership #Intersectionality #DiversityInTech #InclusiveCulture #GenderEquality #CulturalDiversity #RacialEquity #InclusionRevolution #ChangeMakers #InclusiveCommunity #gkwcc #greaterkwchamber #cambridge_chamber #edistrategy  #canadiansme  #smallbussiness #WorkplaceInclusion