Introduction
June is Pride Month, and in this week’s post, I’m sharing five ways that we in learning and development (L&D) can show support to our LGBTQ+ colleagues and learners.
Pride Month isn’t just about being proud of one’s identity. It is a time to celebrate everything that the LGBTQ+ community has achieved and to raise awareness about what is left to be done in the ongoing fight for equality, social justice, and acceptance.
We in L&D in play a critical role in shaping our organizations’ culture. I believe we have a responsibility to do what we can to foster a more inclusive workplace and learning environment for our coworkers and learners. It’s why I wrote the Inclusive Learning Pledge. (Have you signed it yet?). Sometimes, though, it can be challenging to know how to create this kind of change and what to do or say. So, here are five ways you can show your support and resources to help you get started.
Learn the Lingo
Understanding the language used within the LGBTQ+ community is a great first step toward fostering a more inclusive environment.
Start with the Gender Unicorn, which is based on Sam Killerman’s Genderbread Person, to understand the difference between gender identity, gender expression, and sex assigned at birth, as well as physical and emotional attraction.
For a more comprehensive dive into terminology, see the PFLAG National Glossary and this glossary from The Safe Zone Project. And for transgender-specific terminology, check out the glossary from TransWhat.
Raise Awareness
Education and awareness are vital parts of fostering an inclusive workplace. Awareness campaigns can show support to the LGBTQ+ community while educating employees about challenges this community faces.
You can use social media or internal communications like an employee newsletter to highlight Pride Month and share information, stories, and resources.
Not sure what to share? Start by amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ folks in your network (or expanding your network).
Here are some additional ideas:
- Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) offers a series of trans-related infographics that are free to share with credit.
- There are also many “edugraphics” available from It’s Pronounced Metrosexual that are free for you to share.
- TransWhat has an allyship guide with many helpful tips, as well as a page that debunks misconceptions about trans people.
- The Human Rights Campaign has created State Scorecards that provide snapshots into LGBTQ+ protections (or lack thereof) in each U.S. state.
- Erin Reed has produced risk assessment maps that track anti-transgender legislation in the U.S., helping identify areas where adults and youth are the safest—and the least safe (looking at you, Florida). I also recommend subscribing to her newsletter for updates on trans legislation. It’s truly eye-opening.
- Adobe has a list of 50 LGBTQ Pride month social media caption ideas and Pride quotes, complete with post templates. Likewise, Canva has an abundance of Pride templates.
Conduct Allyship Training
Allyship training can empower employees to support their LGBTQ+ colleagues more effectively. The more allies there are, the more inclusive and supportive our workplaces will be—during Pride Month and all year long.
The Safe Zone Project has created a free instructor-led training curriculum (yeah, you read that right—it’s free!). The course teaches foundational concepts about marginalized genders and sexualities. The materials are updated several times a year and include a Participant Packet, Facilitator Guide, and handouts. Anyone can use the curriculum with no strings attached. You can even modify it to suit your needs.
If you need an online course option, they’ve got that covered too. There’s a 10-lesson self-paced course that’s estimated to take two to three hours to complete.
Hire Speakers and Consultants
Although you don’t need a special certification to teach using the Safe Zone materials, I highly recommend that any allyship training is conducted by someone who can speak from lived experience in the LGBTQ+ community.
Fortunately, the always fabulous Bela Gaytán has made it easy for you to find these folks. She’s created a directory of LGBTQ+ service providers for Pride Month. The directory includes speakers, educators, coaches, and consultants, many of whom have developed their own curriculum that they can present to your organization.
Review Your Policies and Systems
You can share rainbow graphics all month long, but if your organization is actively discriminating against LGBTQ+ employees, none of it matters. Pride Month is a great time for you to take a closer look into your organization’s policies and systems.
Even if you don’t have the power to change these things yourself, you can provide input to the decision-makers to help make needed changes. I once influenced my employer to change their bereavement policy with a simple email after my mom’s death. We all have a voice, and we need to use it to bring about positive change.
Here are some questions to consider:
- Does your organization have a non-gendered dress code?
- Can your learners update their gender and preferred name in the learning management system and other systems?
- Does your organization have a policy related to LGBTQ+ inclusion?
- Do you have an LGBTQ+ employee resource group?
- Are health-related benefits available to same-sex domestic partners?
- Does your bereavement leave policy cover death of a domestic partner or their immediate family?
- Do all forms provide an option to mark a gender other than male or female?
If you’re not sure how to address your policies and systems to ensure that they’re inclusive, I recommend hiring a consultant to provide a fresh perspective. (See the previous section.)
Summary
Pride Month is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to inclusion. By learning the lingo, raising awareness, conducting allyship training, hiring knowledgeable speakers and consultants, and reviewing policies and systems, L&D teams can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for everyone.
Happy Pride Month!
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Comments
These are some amazing resources you’ve compiled, Kayleen! I’m diving into them right now. Also, I appreciate you including my Pride Month Service Providers directory in your resources!
I’m glad you find them useful! Your provider directory is awesome!