AGG Legal Staffing’s Post

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”

🌈 Pride Month is almost here, and it’s a powerful reminder that Pride is not just a celebration, but also a protest. 🌈 Things are not looking great. While some countries made some positive steps towards LGBTQ+ inclusion, the UK continues to fall behind. As a queer femme, I am appalled and outraged by the continuous mistreatment of trans and non-binary people. Looking at hate crime stats but also day to day discrimination things are dire. While we, as workplaces and companies, get our rainbow flags out and prepare for the pride parades we attend, let's not forget to look inward. What do you do for your LGBTQ+ employees and customers all year around? Do you have learning initiatives that go deeper then just a glossy allyship session? Do you have policies and more importantly a culture that rejects all forms of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia? And lastly, how do you know? Working with over 90 clients in the past few years has showed me that most organisations do not have adequate feedback loops and monitoring iniatives. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #Advocacy #Diversity #Inclusion #ImpactCulture #DEI #workplaceculture

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month June is Pride Month—a time to honor the journey towards equity and acknowledge the challenges still faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Why Pride Matters: Historical Significance: Commemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ rights. Progress and Achievements: Marriage equity, increased visibility, and expanded legal protections. Ongoing Challenges: Discrimination, violence, and legal persecution persist worldwide. How We Can Contribute: Educate: Learn and share the history and current issues of the LGBTQ+ community. Advocate: Support policies and initiatives that promote equity. Inclusivity: Foster accepting and respectful environments in all spaces. Pride is not just a celebration, but a call to action. Let’s honor the courage of those who fought for rights and commit to building a future where everyone can live with dignity and equity. 🌟 #PrideMonth #Equity #LGBTQ #HumanRights #Inclusion

Ever wondered if your company has specific initiatives to recruit LGBTQ+ talent? Our recent poll found that 75% of respondents don't have specific LGBTQ+ recruitment initiatives in place. Interestingly, we saw many common misconceptions that diversity initiatives are exclusive or discriminatory. In reality, they are essential for recognising that each individual has their own needs in the workplace. Explore our blog for insights on why inclusive recruitment strategies matter. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZ5JqnTF #LGBTQ+ #DiversityInclusion #WorkplaceEquality

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

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month June is Pride Month—a time to honor the journey towards equity and acknowledge the challenges still faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Why Pride Matters: Historical Significance: Commemorates the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ rights. Progress and Achievements: Marriage equity, increased visibility, and expanded legal protections. Ongoing Challenges: Discrimination, violence, and legal persecution persist worldwide. How We Can Contribute: Educate: Learn and share the history and current issues of the LGBTQ+ community. Advocate: Support policies and initiatives that promote equity. Inclusivity: Foster accepting and respectful environments in all spaces. Pride is not just a celebration, but a call to action. Let’s honor the courage of those who fought for rights and commit to building a future where everyone can live with dignity and equity. 🌟 #PrideMonth #Equity #LGBTQ #HumanRights #Inclusion

June has arrived, and with it comes a time for celebration, reflection, and unity as we honor #PRIDEMonth2024. This month, we join millions worldwide in recognizing the resilience, courage, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.    PRIDE Month is more than just a time for parades and festivities. It is a powerful reminder of the progress we've made and the work that still lies ahead. This year’s theme, “Embracing Diversity and Inclusivity,” encourages us to celebrate the unique identities and experiences that make up our vibrant community. Reflecting on the journey towards equality, we remember the pioneers who paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights. Their bravery and dedication have led to significant milestones, from the decriminalization of homosexuality to the legalization of same-sex marriage in many parts of the world. Yet, we recognize that there are still challenges to overcome and that our collective effort is essential in fostering a world where everyone is free to be their authentic selves. #pridemonth #PRIDE #loveislove #LGBTQ+ #rights #diversity #inclusivity

Is your organization supporting LGBTQ professionals this Pride Month and beyond? #Coqual finds that LGBTQ professionals are more than eight times as likely as non-LGBTQ professionals to believe they have been treated unfairly at work because of their sexual orientation. Let’s break down barriers and foster workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected. Together, we can build safe work environments for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or identity. Visit coqual.org to learn more about fostering inclusion in the workplace. #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA

Numbers don't make you an influencer, the ability to influence does! In a world where your voice carries weight, it’s time to harness that influence for real impact in corporate spaces. The fight for LGBTQ+ rights in organizations is essential for progress, and you’re in a prime position to lead that charge. Here’s how you can advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and foster inclusivity within your network: 1. Use your reach to share stories and amplify diverse voices. 2. ⁠Partner with companies that align with your values to push for change. 3. ⁠Create dialogue around inclusivity in your circles—every conversation counts. 4. ⁠Advocate for policies that protect LGBTQ+ rights and promote diversity. 5. ⁠Share your experiences and guide the next generation of advocates. Join us in creating a corporate landscape where every voice matters. Connect with us to make your organization D&I friendly! #LGBTQInclusion #CSRImpact #BusinessGrowth #MIST