Pride Month: How can I show support in the workplace
- Jennifer Nicholson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
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Happy Pride month!!
Pride Month is celebrated every June with events happening all around the world, so what is it? Pride Month is about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTQ+ history and raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
What does LGBTQ+ mean?Ā
LGBTQ+ is the most common acronym to describe someoneās sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression that is different from heterosexual or cis gender norms.Ā Other variations of this acronym that are used are LGBT+ and LGBTQIA+.Ā Ā
Here is the breakdown of what the letters mean.Ā
L ā Lesbian ā Someone who identifies as female and are attracted to other individuals who identify as female.Ā
G ā Gay ā Someone who is attracted to those of the same gender. Mostly used with those who identify as male attracted to others who identify as male.Ā
B ā Bisexual/Bi ā Someone who is attracted to more than one gender. This can include male, female, and non-binary people.Ā
T ā Transgender ā An umbrella term used for those whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth. These identities can include non-binary and gender-fluid.Ā
Q ā Queer or Questioning ā Queer is a reclaimed word that people in community use so it can have a positive meaning. Questioning describes those who are discovering and exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.Ā Ā
The ā+ā represents all the other identities not used in the acronym such as intersex, asexual, aromantic, pansexual and more.Ā
How can I show my support at work?Ā
There are many simple ways to help make your workplace more inclusive and supportive for LGBTQ+ colleagues.Ā
Provide training: Training can help staff understand and build confidence around LGBTQ+ inclusion.Ā
Be a supportive listener: Taking time to listen can make a real difference for someone who may be struggling to express themselves.Ā
Include pronouns in email signatures: This helps others understand how to address you correctly, reduces the risk of using the wrong pronouns, and can help people feel more included and respected at work.Ā
Show visible support: Displaying Pride flags such as wearing a small pin or having a rainbow lanyard can help show that your workplace is a safe and welcoming space.Ā
A little bit about me
I identify as gender-fluid which means I have no fixed gender, and it shifts over time. For myself, fashion and clothes are my outlet to show who I am. Some days I may enjoy wearing a dress or skirt, other days it may be a shirt and tie. Having that flexibility at work helps make me feel more comfortable. Other things like having pronouns in email signatures helps a lot for me as it means people know how I choose to identify although I am pretty comfortable with any pronouns.
No matter how you choose to identify, having a better understanding can help create a happier working environment for everyone.
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