Pride in Our Workplace (PIOW)

We’re proud to support the Massachusetts Conference for Women! Join us in Boston on Dec. 12, as we celebrate the 20th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women with an incredible lineup of speakers, friends, and attendees! Tickets are almost sold out! Get yours now: https://bit.ly/45PoAtu #MassWomen

Earlier this week, body cam footage was released to the public that shows the violent murder of Sonya Massey, a Black woman from Illinois who was shot in the face after calling the police to report an intruder on her property. Sonya's loss is a deep and painful blow, not only to her family and friends but also to our community and our workplaces. The murder of Black people by law enforcement officers is an all-too-common occurrence in this country. It’s easy to allow yourself to become numb to something that happens almost daily, unchecked. But it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt every time we learn that another innocent human being was murdered simply for existing in their skin. For Black and Brown folks, this event may resonate even more deeply, highlighting the harsh realities of racial violence and injustice and resurfacing deep personal and generational trauma. The nature of today’s news cycle makes it almost impossible to insulate oneself from the horrific details of Sonya’s murder and the racist rhetoric that is inevitably spewed all over social media after a tragedy like this occurs. It is crucial that we acknowledge this impact and maintain spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. YW Boston’s partners and supporters are an exceptionally thoughtful, compassionate group of people and we have no doubt that you will make every effort to show up for your colleagues as this tragedy continues to unfold. But don’t forget to take care of yourselves or encourage your colleagues to take care of themselves. Some advice to share: ▪️ Do not watch or share the body cam footage of Sonya Massey’s murder. Exposure to violent and traumatic content, especially repeatedly, can have significant negative effects on mental health. Witnessing such traumatic events can cause vicarious trauma. This is especially pertinent for people who share a racial or cultural identity with the victims, as it can feel like an assault on their community. ▪️ Practice informed consent and fair warning: If you want to talk about this or other stressful news with a coworker, first ask them clearly and gently if they have the capacity to discuss the specific topic. If they do not, it is critical to thank them for letting you know and identify another support person with which to connect. ▪️ Foster solidarity: Use this moment to reaffirm your commitment to eliminating racism, empowering women, and standing together against racism and injustice. ▪️ Practice self-care: Give yourself permission to rest and recharge. Take part in activities that make you feel good, and don’t forget to tap into your organization’s self-care and mental health resources. Please take good care of yourselves and each other as you move through the rest of this week. Let's honor Sonya's memory by continuing to build a more compassionate, resilient, and equitable Boston. Sincerely, Kathryn Henderson Interim President & CEO #sonyamassey #sayhername

Looking for an LGBTQ-affirming employer? Check out these open positions from HarbourVest Partners to see if there is an opportunity that could be right for you. ➡️ Senior Business Process Engineer: https://lnkd.in/gjPeFbHb ➡️ Fund Controller: https://lnkd.in/gHMaS6Nv ➡️ Senior Manager, Marketing Operations: https://lnkd.in/gYETFRaZ ➡️ Senior Associate, Product Marketing: https://lnkd.in/g4QuvDJk ➡️ Assistant Manager, Product Marketing: https://lnkd.in/gPwn2Hpe ➡️ Associate, Operational Due Diligence: https://lnkd.in/gdD8Jknv Find more job listings on HarbourVest Partners’ career page: https://lnkd.in/egmHx7wf #Hiring #Recruitment #Jobs #LGBTQ #Ally

We're thrilled with the positive feedback we've received in response to "I Thought Everyone Knew!" Check out the video below for highlights from the session and our partnership with Ibis Consulting Group. Don't miss out on key #LGBTQ and #DEI insights from this event. Request a copy of the webinar recording here: https://lnkd.in/gq3s7Nws

Celebrating the art, courage, and creativity of drag! Happy International Drag Day! . . . Image description: Illustration for International Drag Day featuring three drag artists in colorful attire, with one in a green jacket and glasses, and the other two in elaborate makeup and wigs, one blue and one purple. Stars embellish the dark background and the logo for GLSEN is displayed at the bottom.

Encouraging civic engagement IS corporate responsibility. Here’s why: - Employees want to know that their organization is aware of how the result of elections will impact the business, and ultimately, their jobs - Employee advocacy for structural change within the business might be impacted by legislation, and that starts with voting in elections - If you have ESG or CSR teams and strategies, it’s values-alignment to encourage employees to use their power to engage with the world in a similar way - Internal policies will impact employee’s abilities to make it to the voting booth - Especially in an election year such as this one, tensions can impact the emotions and therefore the productivity and quality of mindful interactions between stakeholders Further, telling your employees to go and vote is a non-partisan action while voting is an anonymous action where employees can mobilize without the fear of being judged. This is one outlet to influences self-efficacy, which can cool the internal temperature. Check out the link in comments for a playbook from YW Boston The current discourse about companies “staying out of politics” is becoming binary. Don’t let ESG or CSR fumbles like Coca-cola and Bud Light deter you. Just be clear about your lane (in other words, how does your business impact the health and vitality of the world), stay in your lane, and share your impact. What's your take? Why else should companies take a role in encouraging civic engagement? #esg #csr #inclusion #vote #leadership

Looking for local events at the intersection of LGBTQ and Disability Pride? Check out the Neuroqueer & Disabled Queer Pride Festival in New Hampshire this weekend! Find the flyer below additional updates on their instagram: https://lnkd.in/gwCxBfkD Know of other events happening in the New England area? Comment them below! ⬇️ #LGBTQ #Disability #DisabilityPrideMonth #Pride #Events

A friendly reminder to all this #NonBinaryAwarenessWeek 💛 🤍 💜 🖤 By respecting our colleagues' names, pronouns, and personal boundaries, we create more inclusive workplaces where all employees can thrive. Learn more about #NonBinary identities: https://lnkd.in/ebs4VHhG (Advocates for Trans Equality)

Thought-provoking, timely, and incredibly engaging - just a few words that come to mind when we reflect on last month's webinar with Ibis Consulting Group. This program is a great way to keep conversations going around workplace #LGBTQ experiences and #DEI post-Pride season. If you missed the event or want to revisit its impactful storytelling, request a recording of the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gq3s7Nws

July is #DisabilityPrideMonth. Userway shares the history of Disability Pride: “We all have a social responsibility to better our world and ensure inclusivity. We can all commit to celebrating the diverse backgrounds of people with disabilities and finding common ground. Start by creating fair play and equal grounds everywhere—off and online. That is the essence of Disability Pride Awareness Month.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gMcCvYrk