LGBTQ+ Workshops

As LGBTQIA+ inclusion progresses, many companies are proudly proclaiming their support of the queer community. However, companies are also under scrutiny for rainbowwashing. Like green- or eco-washing, rainbow-washing occurs when a company demonstrates LGBTQIA+ inclusion – such as making their logo rainbow on social media – without substantial actions in support of the queer community.

How can your company, and you as an individual, ensure that you are thinking about LGBTQIA+ inclusion year-round and keep the momentum going long after Pride Month ends?

This workshop will share best practices across human resources, marketing & communications, client services, and corporate social responsibility for companies seeking to be leaders in queer inclusion.

Learning Outcomes:

• Explore best practices for queer inclusion of staff and clients across human resources, marketing, client services, and corporate social responsibility

• Review the business case for LGBTQIA+ inclusion

• Discuss how to address homophobia and transphobia in your public relations strategy

As society evolves, so must our approaches to inclusive management. Acknowledging that 1 in 5 Gen Zers identifies as LGBTQIA+ and that a significant portion still grapple with disclosing their identity in the workplace, this workshop provides actionable insights that go beyond compliance. As a result, managers will be equipped with the essential tools to create an environment where LGBTQIA+ colleagues are empowered to bring their whole selves to work.

As national conversations regarding LGBTIA+ inclusion become more devisive, it is essential companies invest in LGTBQIA+ employee resource groups and other inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility initiatives. While queer leadership and decision-making is imperative to successful work, it is also demanding work. Inclusion leaders are called upon to educate others, debate competing - if not discriminatory - perspectives, navigate complex organizational systems, and advice on rebuilding policy and culture. Further, this work requires vulnerability, lived experience, and empathy that can lead to burnout when not adequately supported.

This workshop is for inclusion leaders, LGBTQIA+ identifying and allies, who are seeking advice on developing healthy advocacy practices. We will explore ways to operationalize care and peer allyship within an ERG or similar setting, review best practices for having courageous conversations, and discuss prioritizing self-care.

Learning Outcomes:

• Consider how to incorporate care into ERG strategy

• Review elements of courageous conversations and de-escalation

• Discuss self-care best practices and develop individual care plans

Just one affirming adult in an LGBTQIA+ child’s life can decrease the risk of suicidal ideation by 40%. You can be that adult. As society becomes more inclusive and encouraging of gender/sexuality exploration and fluidity, more young people are coming out earlier in life. Adults with youth in their lives must be ready with the understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities and the specific ways to create an affirming, supportive spaces for children of all ages who identify as LGBTQIA+. During this workshop, participants will review gender theory and statistics regarding LGBTQIA+ youth to provide foundational context for advice regarding talking to youth about gender and sexuality, and support youth who are LGBTQIA+.

Nonprofit organizations must be dedicated to serving their community, building engagement opportunities, and advancing equity in parallel with their missions. Even though many nonprofits recruit and engage LGBTQ+ donors and staff, many have much room for improvement toward authentic inclusion. Many LGBTQ+ people in the community still face discrimination, bias, stigma, and other issues preventing inclusive engagement and employment in the sector.

Learning Outcomes:

• Discover the opportunities and challenges facing LGBTQ+ professionals in the nonprofit sector

• Learn how to assess your organization for LGBTQ+ growth needs

• Identify strategies on how to increase inclusion for both your LGBTQ+ donors, staff, and other stakeholder

• Understand how to better recruit, cultivate and retain LGBTQ+ donors, staff, and other stakeholders.

This topic is offered in partnership with Jonathan Meagher-Zayas (He/Him) of Equity Warrior Strategies

As LGBTIA+ representation and visibility has increased dramatically over the past 50 years in the United States, queer people have existed in every period of history, in every culture. However, evolving forces including colonization, economics, religion, and political climate, have influenced queer inclusion in American society across the eras. This workshop helps historians understand how LGBTQIA+ stories can be uncovered in your collections and incorporated into interpretation.

Learning Outcomes:

• Discover strategies for uncovering queer histories, considering intersectionality and identity

• Explore examples of queer interpretation and storytelling

This offering was originally developed for the American Association for State and Local History's Arcus Leadership Program.

To put theory into practice, participants develop individual allyship plans, committing to specific ways they will further LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Participants provide feedback and advice to strengthen allyship plans. Teams and workgroups may also develop accountability plans to support each other's inclusion efforts.