An Introduction to LGBTQ+ Inclusion
June is recognized as Pride month in the United States. Pride is a nationwide celebration of our LGBTQIA2S+ community and their stand against oppression. Quick quiz - do you know all the letters and numbers I just stated? Here are the answers.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, Plus (may include pansexual, gender queer, and many more)
LGBTQ+ inclusion is more than knowing the acronym or wearing a Pride shirt. Inclusion is “authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power” (source: OpenSource Leadership Strategies). Building inclusion in the workplace can improve decision-making and innovation, increase employee satisfaction and retention, and strengthen your brand with customers (source: Gibran Registe-Charles).
An Introduction to LGBTQ+ Inclusion is a 2-hour virtual session for people looking to deepen their awareness and become stronger allies. This includes supervisors, HR departments, and senior leadership. The session includes the topics of preferred pronouns, the cycle of socialization, terms & definitions for gender identity and sexual orientation, and how to show up as an ally.
By improving LGBTQ+ inclusion, your workplace will increase employee engagement through inclusive practices. The changes to the on-the-job behavior that you will see are:
1. Shared knowledge for LGBTQ+ awareness
2. Shared understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience
3. Shared language for LGBTQ+ inclusion
Each session is available for up to 20 participants and will be facilitated by Sally Loftis. We offer free sessions each year in June and October. Otherwise, the price is $500 per session, which includes a pre-meeting and post-meeting with the client.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn when new sessions are offered.
Participant Toolkit:
Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBT Young People (Source: The Trevor Project)
Privileges for Sale Activity (Source: The Safe Zone Project)
Workplace Scenarios for Adults and Youth (Source: The Safe Zone Project)
Additional Resources:
3 Recommendations for Pride Month — Loftis Partners
Dismantling Dominant Culture Business Practices — Loftis Partners
Fully Human Resources: Inclusion & Belonging with Amber Rucker
What is Cultural Humility? (Source: University of Oregon)
U.S. LGBT Identification Steady at 7.2% (gallup.com)
The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ Lives
Glossary | Racial Equity Tools
Being Out at Work Doesn’t Feel Safe (Glassdoor)
US Wage Gap for LGBTQ+ Workers (Human Rights Campaign)
A Raw and Intimate Story of Transition (A Human Workplace)
Finding Strength in Diversity (shrm.org)
Supporting LGBTQ+ Employees: Where Companies Are Progressing and Falling Short (shrm.org)
