Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits’ Post

🌈Happy Coming Out Day! 🌈 Storytime on how I was outed in the workplace 😢 💔 Today, we commemorate the bravery of the LGBTQIA+ community as they navigate the challenging path of coming out. It's important to remember that coming out is a personal journey, and no one has the right to out another person, regardless of the circumstances. A few years ago, when joining a new company, someone I didn't know, but who was connected to my friends, decided to share my sexual orientation with my future colleagues. Discovering this on my first days in the new role left me feeling insecure and worried about my professional development. It was disheartening that someone who didn't even know me felt entitled to share such a personal aspect of my life. I felt violated. Respecting everyone's journey to come out of the closet, regardless of our assumptions or knowledge, is crucial. We should recognize the multitude of emotions queer individuals experience, including fear and vulnerability. While outing someone might seem like it would make their lives easier, it is not our decision to make. Let's stand together, creating a culture of support and acceptance. By championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can build workplaces and communities where everyone feels safe and celebrated for who they are. Wishing you a day filled with love, acceptance, and understanding. 🌈💙 #ComingOutDay #Respect #Inclusion #Vulnerability #InclusiveLeadership

At Fortrea, we're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. We kicked off Pride celebrations with a powerful discussion on intersectionality within the LGBTQIA+ community. Hosted by our PRIDE, PULSE, and WEN Global Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), the forum explored the often-uncomfortable topic of what it means to be both Black and LGBTQIA+. By having open and honest conversations about these experiences, we aim to: • Build understanding: We believe fostering empathy across identities strengthens our community. • Create a safer platform: When we discuss challenging topics, we can create a more inclusive space for all. • Develop strong allyship: True allyship requires understanding the unique experiences of others. We're grateful to our guest speaker, Paige J. Gardner, PhD, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Success, College of Education at Seattle University, along with the employees who shared their lived experiences. Their stories will inspire further conversations and a more inclusive workplace for everyone. https://lnkd.in/g4Tva-4s #PrideMonth #Intersectionality #DiversityandInclusion #Fortrea

Happy Pride Month 🏳️🌈 This month, we celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion. Let’s take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of embracing our true selves and supporting one another in the workplace and beyond. We asked our colleagues to share their thoughts and experiences on diversity and inclusion💬: "LGBTQ+ people have historically had to hide in the shadows, and the vestiges of that cultural oppression persist today. Hiding and being secretive about who you are create shame and shame creates dysfunction. Being seen for one’s true self in all aspects of life, including work, engenders happier, healthier employees and, ultimately, a happier and healthier workplace free from shame….and that benefits everyone." - Susan Ahrens, Learning & Development Manager at Robert Half "Being an ally in the workplace is about being a colleague that speaks up against inappropriate behavior but also recognizes your limits in having a different lived experience; it’s a full-time act. If you want to support your LGBTQIA+ coworkers this month, listen and try to understand our unique challenges. Being an ally is optional but remember, being respectful and professional in the workplace is not." - Maxine Kwiatkowski, Background Verification Specialist at Robert Half

Today I had a great meeting and it made me think about how to represent my LGBTQIA community 🌈 ⭐️ If you’re LGBTQIA and assessing who to work for next, you’ll be assessing if the company is a safe space for you. Safe for you to be yourself. Safe for you to live authentically (if it’s your desire) A company that treats all people with respect A company who is a true ally to your people. If you’re LGBTQIA, in the past, you probably have to do this on a hunch. You might sus out the office and look around and the people for clues You might just read the warmth that radiates from your could-be manager Maybe you turn to Glassdoor. It doesn’t have to be this way. From the very first conversation, a recruiter/hiring manager is able to let you know it’s ok, That this is a safe space That you, can be you. How? Talk about the company, and all it’s initiatives, what employee resource groups exist and what great work you’re doing. Don’t wait for someone to have to tell you that they’re part of the community because most won’t. Tell everyone what you care and stand for. Do this and you might just get the best authentic conversation from someone who feels safe in your presence. Someone who might just do the best work of their careers. #lgbtqiacommunity #deib #safespace

While Pride Month is a time for celebration and visibility, allyship isn’t just for 30 days - it’s a year-round journey of learning, understanding, and advocating. Think about what you can do to create a more inclusive workplace and show up as a strong ally and advocate. - Go beyond surface-level understanding of LGBTQIA+ history, terminology, and current issues, and explore the diversity within the community. - Challenge discriminatory jokes, microaggressions, and exclusionary behaviour when you encounter them. Use your voice to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and create a culture of respect. - Advocate for inclusive policies, celebrate LGBTQIA+ contributions, and create opportunities for open dialogue. Allyship is a process, not a destination. Let’s all work together to create inclusive workplaces - not just this month, but always. #pridemonth #allyship #inclusion #diversity #lifeatgoogle

Despite our best efforts, we can get allyship wrong. So wrong. But I was relieved when I was told, “It’s okay to make mistakes. Just keep asking us questions if you want to understand.” We were at a safe space gathering, as part of our work as Imaginable Impact. I had admitted to being unclear about how to do good by the LBGTQIA+ community as we moved deeper into our DEI work. I look at Pride Month content and stories, and I see a lot of rainbows. A lot of of celebrations. But not a lot of conversations. So what is allyship? Or what is it NOT? ❌Tokenism ❌  Featuring LGBTQIA+ individuals in Pride campaigns or as the designated queer representative, but not in broader campaigns, policy making spaces, or actual leadership positions ❌Seasonal Support ❌ What happens after Pride month? Real allies make consistent effort to push for change and progress all year long ❌Performative Gestures ❌ Sure, it’s nice to add a banner or provide a Pride version of your company logo, but if there is no substantive work that helps members in the community, this is all for show ❌Cheap Talk ❌ “I’m pro-LGBT because I know someone” is not allyship. Without efforts at true empathy through conversation, advocacy, and education – for yourself and others – then it’s all empty words. Meanwhile, there are so many other ways to stand up as a real ally. My commitment is to speak louder for the LGBTQIA+ community and work harder to amplify their voices. Because I cannot talk #inclusion if it is not inclusion for all. I asked some community members to get us started. Paulie Durig, CHyp, Bam T., Camille Q. Ramos, MMC, and Nonito Cabrera Jr. gave actionable steps on allyship that matters. They have more to say, naturally, so I encourage you to build on this conversation. In fact, talk to your friends, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, siblings. Everyone. And listen. Ask questions. Pay attention. Happy Pride! Let’s keep each other safe, and promote dignity for all. 

Tips on how to be an effective ally: 🌈 Being an ally means more than just passive support—it involves intentional actions that uplift marginalized voices and create positive change. 📣 Actively Listen and Amplify: Listen to the experiences and challenges faced by marginalized colleagues. Understand their perspectives and validate their feelings. Amplify their voices by sharing their ideas, achievements, and contributions. Use your platform to elevate their visibility. 🗣 Speak Up Against Bias and Microaggressions: When you witness microaggressions, unconscious biases, or discriminatory behavior, don’t stay silent. Address them respectfully. Use your voice to advocate for fairness and equity. Be an ally who actively challenges harmful practices. 📕 Educate Yourself and Research: Continuously educate yourself about LGBTQIA+ issues, history, and terminology. Stay informed about current challenges and progress. Read books, attend workshops, and engage with resources that deepen your understanding. 🤝 Build Genuine Connections: Bridge understanding by building relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Learn about their experiences and perspectives. Show empathy and compassion. Be open to learning from others. Remember, allyship is an ongoing commitment. It’s not about being perfect but about being willing to learn, grow, and actively contribute to a more inclusive workplace. #Allyship #ListenActively #BuildingInclusivity #EqualityAndInclusion #Belonging #EqualityCareers #30daysofallyship

🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 What's your company doing to celebrate Pride Month 2024? June will be upon us before we know it and if you haven’t decided what to do this year, why not invite the lovely peeps at Belonging Base to deliver an enlightening session. Choose from: A)  LGBTQIA+ - All You Need To Know 🏳️🌈 We’ll take you on a whistle-stop tour of History, Language, Code-Switching Impacts, Allyship and Conscious Inclusion. B)  Why Does Belonging Matter? 🤗 What it’s like when you feel that you don’t belong. Sharing lived experiences 🤗 🤗 Danielle Wood (MCIPD) and Sophie Wood explore the impact of belonging on Engagement, Mental Health and Performance. C)  All Things Trans – Ask Anything! A session facilitated by Danielle creating a safe space to explore Sophie’s lived experience of transitioning male to female. We open the floor for people to ask the questions they always wanted to but never have. D)  The Pick and Mix – let’s design one just for you! 🍬 If you’d like to book a session then all you need to do is drop us a DM or email hello@belongingbase.com. www.belongingbase.com #InclusiveCulture #BelongingMatters #AllThingsTrans #Pride

How can you be a better Ally? Check out these great tips from Equality Careers! Don't forget to like/follow Equality Careers if you haven't already! #allyship #activelistening #inclusivity #EqualityCareers

Great tips on #allyship in celebration of #Pride month. Another way you can be a great ally: follow Equality Careers! Let's get them over 2k followers so we can help spread the word about #jobs at inclusive employers.