Dan Witman’s Post

As we celebrate this vibrant and empowering month, it’s important to remember the significance of pride and the impact it has on so many. Visibility & Representation: Pride Month provides a platform for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be seen and heard. Representation matters, and seeing diverse identities celebrated helps to normalize and validate the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. Community & Support: Pride events and activities foster a sense of community and belonging. They offer a safe space for people to connect, share their stories, and support one another. Advocacy & Education: Pride month is an opportunity to educate others and advocate for equal rights. It highlights the ongoing struggles and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community, paving the way for a more inclusive and accepting society. Self-Expression & Authenticity: Being able to be yourself without fear of judgement or discrimination is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Inspiration & Empowerment: Seeing others live authentically and proud can inspire and empower individuals to embrace their own identities. Continue to support and uplift one another. Not just during Pride month, but all year round. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and free to be themselves 🌈🏳️⚧️

A meaningful Pride month at your organization: Recognizing the importance of equity and inclusion and matching that recognition with action to improve and address gaps. An opportunity to reflect on how your organization interacts with, engages and empowers the LGBTQIA+ community. A moment to take stock and consider updating your diversity statement. A real and measurable effort towards reaching this often marginalized community through focused programming and targeted campaigns.

💜💜Today is Wear it Purple Day 💜💜 A day to celebrate, acknowledge and amplify the stories of LGBTQI+ youth. Wear it Purple describes the 2023 them like this: "For young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the theme represents the importance of taking ownership of their narratives and to share their experiences in their own voices. This process of storytelling can be empowering and affirming and by speaking from their hearts, young people can also contribute to a broader cultural shift towards greater acceptance and visibility for LGBTQIA+ individuals." Learn more at https://lnkd.in/fgh9PaX

As we step into Pride Month, I want to take a moment to celebrate and support the LGBTQIA+ community. 🌈 Pride is more than just a celebration; it’s a powerful statement about love, identity, and the freedom to be oneself without fear. It’s about recognizing the struggles, honoring the courage, and supporting the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. As an ally, I stand in solidarity with my LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and the global community. I am committed to learning, listening, and lending my voice to advocate for inclusivity and diversity in all spaces. How can you become an ally, you ask? 😇 There are so many things you can do to be a better ally. 1. Educate yourself. 2. Listen and learn. 3. Be mindful of pronouns. 4. Practice inclusivity when you address the room. 5. Give up those “jokes” that are hurtful to the community. 6. Shame those movies that make fun of the community in a slapstick stereotypical way. 7. Call out discrimination when you see one. 8. Be humble, learn from mistakes, challenge your biases. 9. Support LGBTQIA+ causes. 10. If you are a reader like me, incorporate books by authors from LGBTQIA+ community in your bookshelf. (You can always ask me if you need reading recommendations) And if you are still on the fence about becoming an ally, no pressure. I hope you become one, someday. Till then, be open minded, be supportive. Otherwise, just get out of the way of progress, equality and equity. Let’s use this month to reflect on how we can all contribute to a world where everyone can live authentically and love freely. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, speak up against discrimination, and celebrate the beautiful spectrum of human experience. Happy Pride Month! #PrideMonth #Inclusion #Diversity #Allyship #archesintherainbow Chandra Duraiswamy

🗓️ June is one of my favourite months of the year 6️⃣ 🌈 While I read posts celebrating Pride Month, I realize is also the 13th anniversary of the Ruggie’s “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. “🔖 The intersection of both occasions is clear: business have a vital role towards the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people. And businesses are built by the people! As I reflect on my journey towards an LGBTQIA+ ally, here are some steps I have taken: ➡️ I took time to educate myself on language use or historical events such as the Stonewall riots. ➡️ I tried to ask and listen before stating. Because only members of the community can say what feels right - or wrong. ➡️ I worked to challenge and unlearn the biases ingrained in my upbringing. ➡️ I started to speak out against exclusive statements or microagressions. Today beyond my corporate role, I continue on my learning journey. 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈Because the basics are in the Human Rights Declaration: all human beings are equal. #pridemonth #humanrights

🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈NYC Pride is now accepting Grand Marshal nominations for the 2024 NYC Pride March through December 15, 2023. The FIVE Categories are: 1. Social Justice Warrior: An activist who has spent their life advocating for a society that embraces and celebrates diversity. An individual who has fearlessly advocated for human rights while working with other people and organizations towards building a socially inclusive and progressive world. 2. Trans Rights Champion: An activist who has focused their energies on promoting equality, acceptance and safety for trans and non-binary communities. An inspirational figure who has relentlessly championed trans-causes while fighting towards drawing the community’s attention to an important issue, and directing decision-makers toward a solution. 3.Behind the scenes: An individual who has been instrumental in supporting non-profit organizations that bring awareness to and advocate for LGBTQIA+ equality. A visionary who may rarely be in the spotlight but makes a measurable difference by carefully conceiving, planning and executing strategies that bring awareness to relevant causes. 4. Youth Activist: A person 24 or younger who has been instrumental in organizing their communities to build a better and more equitable society for them and future generations. 5. Celebrated Luminary: A household name who has historically declared their support for LGBTQIA+ Rights. An individual that has used their reach to selflessly advocate for equality and respect for LGBTQIA+ people. Submit nominations here: https://lnkd.in/eicWPbcJ

This Pride Month, we want to take the opportunity to celebrate the individuality of everyone, whether they're a UKFCU member, UKFCU employee or anybody else. We are built on community, and that's why we're proud to recognize the LGBTQIA+ community! Check out this article to learn more about how LGBTQIA+ Americans can overcome barriers to building credit: https://ow.ly/u9hy50S7gre

As we commemorate Pride Month and Juneteenth, I am reminded of the ongoing journey towards equality, freedom, and dignity for everyone. Pride Month is a time to honor the LGBTQIA+ community’s resilience and the strides made towards achieving equal rights. It’s a celebration of love, identity, and the courage to be oneself in the face of adversity. Juneteenth, marks a pivotal moment in American history—the end of slavery. It’s a day to reflect on the struggles for racial equality and to recommit to building a future where everyone can thrive without discrimination. Both Pride Month and Juneteenth embody the spirit of liberation and the importance of standing up for what is right. They raise our level of awarness about the importance of LGBTQIA+ rights and the historical significance of Juneteenth. They remind us to be vigilant and proactive in recognizing the value of every individual. On my team, we have a saying - "Do the right thing" ...and doing the right thing means standing up for human rights, advocating for social justice, and ensuring our daily practices align with these values. To the African-American, Black, Native and Indigenous people in my life - know that you are seen, celebrated, and affirmed for simply existing. Your contributions to society are absolutely necessary. Equality is the minimum and equity is on the horizon. Stand fast in your value, in your dignity, and in the greatness that you are. To the LGBTQIA+ folks in my life - let's celebrate this month! Celebrate our visibility and acceptance, knowing that visibility in and of itself is a privilege. To my LinkedIn connections - let’s continue to do the right thing. To build cultures that celebrate diversity, champions freedom, and strives for a better future for everyone. Remember, if you truly believe in something, you can – and will – affect the outcome. #PrideMonth #Juneteenth #ISMs #Culture #ImpactTheOutcome

June: LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 🏳️🌈 The month of June is a special time to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride and reinforce the importance of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life, especially in the workplace. This is a time to remember and honor the LGBTQIA+ community's historic fight for equal rights and dignity. It is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, but also recognize the path we still have to travel. Why is LGBTQIA+ pride important? Inclusion and Diversity: Diverse and inclusive environments promote innovation, creativity and better performance. Companies that value diversity have a more engaged and productive workforce. Mental Health and Wellbeing: Recognizing and celebrating diverse identities helps create spaces where everyone feels safe and valued, reducing stress and promoting mental health. Equal Opportunity: Promoting equal opportunity ensures that everyone can reach their full potential, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Let's use this month to learn, support and act. Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is not only an issue of social justice, but also a driving force for a more just and prosperous world for all. Together, we can build a future where everyone is free to be who they are, love who they want, and live without fear.