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This month, in Connect, Moving Ahead faculty member and DE&I expert, Holiday Phillips guides us through how to become an ally and educate ourselves about LGBTQIA+ issues. Here is what she recommends: 1. Fill in the blanks of your history, as in formal education, sometimes the lives and experiences of marginalised individuals are left out. 2. Open up conversations. Often, the fear of being intrusive stops us from learning about issues we don't know enough about. 3. Read books and watch films about LGBTQIA+ lives as they are an excellent window into people's lived experiences. 4. Consume media from LGBTQIA+ creators on other topics as this will allow you to see them as whole people with varied lives and develop empathy. 5. Go to a pride event and take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the community and celebration and while you are there, to share yourself.

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is in just a few weeks and please, for the love of god, if you have anything to do with your company's or organization's or personal brand and are going to "rainbow-up" your logo or create a bunch of Pride-centered promos and messaging? Don't even consider it without also crafting a clear, clean, public message explaining *why* aligning or promoting Pride is important to your business, brand, mission, vision, and work. It doesn't have to be complex, but it has to be real. Tell us your history, tell us your perspective, tell us about your advocacy and it's purpose. Don't just slap a rainbow behind your logo for a month. We can tell. And we're over it. This isn't like getting dressed up for Halloween. This is a month dedicated to honor the LGBTQIA+ community and culture, commemorating the struggles we have endured over time, and celebrating our collective and individual contributions, talents, diversity and existence makes our everyday lives so important, bright, and unique. Be part of the conversations, not just part of the window-dressing. There is still time to plan and deliver on purpose next month.

🗓️ 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

Tomorrow begins Pride Month and I need your help! 🌈 As a proud ally, I hold myself accountable for continuously learning more about LGBTQIA+ history, organizations, and ways to support. Please share your resources and/or drop a comment to show your support! Happy Pride! 🌈 Alt text in image

I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from Laverne Cox: "We all have the right to a world that's free of hate and violence." This month is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder of the challenges the LGBTQIA+ community still faces. Those of us who aren’t part of this community have certain privileges that we often take for granted. Simple things, like holding hands with a partner in public or talking about our relationships at work, are freedoms that many LGBTQIA+ people don’t always feel safe enjoying. ⚠ Imagine having to hide who you are for fear of rejection or violence. ⚠ - That’s a reality for too many people. For those of us in positions of leadership or influence, it’s crucial to use our privilege to create environments of acceptance and support. This can mean advocating for inclusive policies, actively standing against hate, and simply making our workplaces and communities more welcoming. Creating a safe and inclusive environment isn't just about big gestures; it’s also about small, everyday actions: 1️⃣ It’s about listening, learning, and standing up for others. 2️⃣ It’s about making sure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. As Pride Month wraps up, let's not let the spirit fade away. Let’s commit to being allies in our daily lives. Because when we all stand together, we move closer to a world that truly is free of hate and violence. 🌈 #NaazWarriorPrincess #Pride #PrideMonth

As we celebrate this vibrant and empowering month, it’s important to remember the significance of pride and the impact it has on so many. Visibility & Representation: Pride Month provides a platform for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be seen and heard. Representation matters, and seeing diverse identities celebrated helps to normalize and validate the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. Community & Support: Pride events and activities foster a sense of community and belonging. They offer a safe space for people to connect, share their stories, and support one another. Advocacy & Education: Pride month is an opportunity to educate others and advocate for equal rights. It highlights the ongoing struggles and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community, paving the way for a more inclusive and accepting society. Self-Expression & Authenticity: Being able to be yourself without fear of judgement or discrimination is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Inspiration & Empowerment: Seeing others live authentically and proud can inspire and empower individuals to embrace their own identities. Continue to support and uplift one another. Not just during Pride month, but all year round. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and free to be themselves 🌈🏳️⚧️

A workshop with Aarti Malhotra, a mother who turned her tragedy into a powerful voice against bullying and intolerance, focusing on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ children. This isn’t just another workshop—it’s a wake-up call. It demands action and fuels a relentless drive for change. In a world where inclusion is non-negotiable, this is your chance to step up. As a parent, educator, or advocate, you’ll gain the tools to break down barriers and champion a more accepting world. Don’t stand on the sidelines. Join us and become a force for a brighter, inclusive future. The time for passive understanding is over.

On the eve of Pride month kicking off, I am asking you for one simple thing. Support trans people and speak out against those who seek to do trans people harm. Not sure how? I've got you covered with some tips on how to be an ally, there are tons of other resources available on the WE CREATE SPACE content library. Link in comments!

As we close Blindness Awareness Month and Black History Month, let’s just take this opportunity to be mindful that we need more representation of people who look like us. A true diverse spectrum of blindness, varied interests, lifestyle choices and career paths. If you don’t see it, you can’t be it. Or at least you think you can’t be it. This is why I share even the simplest parts of my life as a Content Creator, because I know some things I may take for granted now but had I seen them growing up I may have cast a much wider net in the realm of possibilities. Sharing our stories, raising awareness, advocating for representation gives power to the future generation to truly be their own authentic self and reach for the stars. The most spectacular thing one can do in life is be comfortable just being themselves, which is a luxury some of us in the disabled community do not have, particularly with the additional layer of cultural stigma. The image of a black blind woman, dressed up, using her white cane, having a lovely evening with her family serves as a reminder that sight loss does not mean life has to stop, even with the cultural and systemic barriers, we can still have and deserve a happy fulfilling life. Audio description. Sylvia is a Black blind woman with long black snd silver grey braids. The clips show her as she essentially frolicks with her children outside s restaurant with beautifully lit palm trees. She holds her long white cane sometimes walking and smiling. Her dress is a long black evening dress with a thigh high split. She carries a black and gold woven large clutch bag and wears her comfy slippers as an official aunty aged blind girly. Evening, outdoors. #BlindnessAwarenessMonth #Intersectionality #BlackHistoryMonth #SightLoss #ReclaimingNarratives #DEI #Diversity #Inclusion #RepresentationMatters

👭 Pride with Purpose: Beyond the Rainbow 👬 As Pride Month unfolds, are you tired of being inundated with promotional messages, images, and merchandise full of rainbows, too? I’m so tired of all the rainbow logos and more every June. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a strong ally and respect those businesses whose participation is genuine and authentic. I’m not a fan of lip service or performative marketing. Yesterday, I walked past the optical shop pictured below. It’s one of many examples right now. Where are all these companies the other 11 months of the year? Yes, everyone must feel welcome. It’s also crucial to remember that genuine support for the LGBTQIA+ community goes beyond “rainbow washing.” At Spodek & Co., creating safe spaces for all identities is a year-round commitment rooted in equity, inclusion, and dignity. Our differences strengthen us, and we’re dedicated to ensuring everyone feels valued and respected, not just in June but every day. We’re far from perfect, but we try our best. This Pride Month, let’s all strive to find ways to support and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community all year round with authenticity and respect. 🌈 How is your business supporting Pride this year? #PrideMonth #AuthenticSupport #Marketing