Born out of resilience and courage in the face of adversity for people who seek to live their lives authentically, as their true selves, each June we celebrate PRIDE month by championing diversity, inclusion, and equal rights of people who identify as LGBTQIA+. Yet, PRIDE is only one month, and our IDEA Journey is ongoing.
Below are some resources focused on processing topics related to LGBTQIA+ identities to help us all deepen our awareness and inclusive behaviors all year long.
Understanding Terminology and Identity
LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
This resource provides terms and definitions into the ever-changing language we use to depict identities of sexuality and gender. The glossary provides context when an individual uses specific terms to identify themselves and emphasizes the value of individuals being able to properly define their identities.
Talking About Pronouns in the Workplace
Most people know what pronouns are but may be unsure of the correct way to use them when referring to someone’s gender identity. To make matters more complicated, while we cannot accurately make assumptions about a particular person’s identity and their choice of how to identify, often many of us still assume. In the workplace, the adherence to gender norms can lead to the formation of biases and discrimination. Normalizing stating your pronouns in the workplace can prevent someone from being misgendered and can also empower others to share their pronouns. This reading explores ways in which companies can create opportunities to ask for or offer pronouns.
“The Importance of Using Inclusive Language”
Fahad Saeed is an activist and diversity trainer. In this TED talk, Saeed addresses his struggles as a gay Muslim man by deconstructing how terms used to describe members of the LBGTQIA+ community have created even more barriers.
A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities
By Mady G. and Jules Zuckerberg, this easy-to-read, interactive graphic novel addresses central topics such as sexuality, gender identity, coming out, and navigating relationships for those that identify as queer or transgender. This book not only provides information for people who want to learn more about queer and transgender identities, but it also offers encouragement to individuals who can relate to some of the situations and feelings communicated throughout the book.
A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns
By Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson, this easy-to-read comic book features two best friends, Archie, a genderqueer artist, and Tristan, a cisgender guy. Tristan seeks Archie’s guidance to figure out ways to explain what pronouns are, their importance, and how to utilize them. The guide also offers validation for those who can relate to the scenarios and provides advice on what to do if you accidentally misgender someone.
What the Data Tells Us
Women in the Workplace
COVID-19 has had a severe impact on corporate America. Women who identify as LBGTQIA+ have carried a majority of the burden, significantly on their mental health, which has resulted in higher rates of feelings of exclusion, burnout, and stress, which is noted in this 2020 report from McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org.
HBR’s Women at Work Podcast
Hosted by Amy Bernstein, Amy Gallo, and Emily Caulfield, this podcast focuses on equality for women in the workplace. There are specific episodes that focus on gender identification, including Season 3, Episode 7, titled “There’s More to Gender than ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’” with Lily Zheng, a DEI strategist and consultant and the author of Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace and The Ethical Sellout. In this episode, Zheng outlines the issues that gender binary causes at work and offers tips on ways to support transgender and nonbinary coworkers.
What Conscious Allyship Looks Like
“Four Ways to Make Your Workplace Equitable for Trans People”
Despite the laws designed to protect the LGBTQIA+ community, trans people still face discrimination in the workplace. Not sure how to prevent this from happening at your organization? This toolkit provides four ways to make your workplace more welcoming for trans people.
“How LGBTQIA+ Community Fares in the Workplace”
There are still many obstacles that the LBGTQIA+ community faces in the corporate world. This article outlines concrete strides that HR professionals and company leaders can implement to provide safe and welcoming environments for these individuals.
“How to Talk (and Listen) to Transgender People”
In this TED talk, featured speaker Jackson Bird shares common transgender-related misunderstandings and frames the ways we can think about transgender issues.
The Gender Reveal Podcast
In this podcast, host Tuck Woodstock interviews trans artists and activists to help listeners understand what exactly the word “gender” entails. If you want to learn about current events related to trans issues or gain valuable perspectives from an array of guests, this podcast is a great place to start.
