HearingLife’s Post

June is a time for global celebration. Across the world, pride is a force to be reckoned with and over the years it’s been the foundation of feelings of belonging for many people. Pride Month brings together diverse communities who identify as LGBTQIA and allies for the community. My name is Niall. I’ve worked with Oliver on the development of NeuDivergent from the start. As someone who identifies as both queer and neurodivergent, I’ve been reflecting on the intersection of these identities. There's a strong link between neurodivergent individuals and those identifying as LGBTQIA . Research shows neurodivergent people are more likely to identify as LGBTQIA than neurotypical peers. This correlation may be due to neurodivergent individuals' unique thinking, which often disregards societal norms. Many individuals advocate for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA identities to be recognised. This advocacy ensures our voices are heard and accommodated in everyday life. Feeling pride for belonging to these communities is immense. Acceptance and support within these groups empower us. Witnessing marginalised individuals uplift one another drives change. For me, both communities have been integral in me acknowledging my own identity with shameless pride. I cherish diverse friendships with LGBTQIA , neurodivergent, & dual-identity individuals. These friendships showcase love, acceptance, and confidence within ourselves and our community. Although Pride Month ends, our pride in these identities remains strong. We've faced struggles, but our confidence remains. Universal understanding and acceptance are ongoing, but every step forward brings kindness and love to these communities and beyond. What are your reflections on this? Much love, Niall! P.S. Our efforts towards inclusivity go beyond days and months. We do it all year round. In the coming months NeuDivergent will really come to life. Keep your eyes peeled!

Happy Pride Month! 🎇 My good friend and colleague who helped develop NeuDivergent, shared his experience as someone who is both queer and neurodivergent. Niall talks about a notable correlation; neurodivergent people are far more likely to identify as LGBTQIA than neurotypical peers. Niall's journey towards finding “shameless pride” in his identity resonates with me. I have always found friendship with groups of individuals that have been marginalised and oppressed. The empathy and connection are strong, and I highly value these friendships. Why is it important that we talk about intersecting identities? True inclusivity is not possible by focusing on just one aspect of identity. An intersectional approach is essential. It considers multiple identities, like race, gender, sexuality, and disability. Even though Pride Month is coming to an end, our pride and commitment remain. We've faced challenges and we persist. Feel free to share what comes up for you here. Exciting developments are coming with NeuDivergent – stay tuned. https://lnkd.in/em49Tk-v #Pride #Inclusivity #inclusivitymatters #LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTQI #LGBTQIA #ADHD #Autism #Autistic #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #inclusion

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 🌈🏳️⚧️

Although I am in the early years of my professional career, I cannot express enough gratitude to work at such an amazing, inclusive, and open-minded place like About Fresh. I cannot imagine working at a more inclusive workplace, filled with allies and big colorful hearts. I am feeling extra filled with pride during this pride month, as my partner Steph and I celebrate another year out & proud in our personal and professional lives. While many people are not as fortunate as I am in this area, I hope people take moments this month to reflect and think about how they can be more inclusive or more of an active ally to all people in the LGBTQIA (and beyond!) community. Here are some ways to become a stronger ally:  1. Educate yourself - find out the history and current struggles of people in this community  2. Don’t assume you know what someone needs - you know what they say about assuming! 3. Practice active listening - try to digest the information before creating a response  4. Ditch putting people into boxes - boxes are out, and spectrums are in! 5. Recognize your privilege - use that power for GOOD!

October 11 is National Coming Out Day. It is a day to recognize and celebrate what is a very significant, brave and vulnerable moment in the life of a person who identifies as LGBTQIA . But coming out isn't a one-time thing. Individuals who identify as LGBTQIA will come out multiple times in their life as they start new jobs, make new friends or introduce themselves in a variety of situations.   If someone comes out to you, it is a sign that they believe you are a safe person to confide in. Check out these tips for how to respond if a friend or loved one comes out to you: https://bit.ly/3iGFio8.

National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBTQIA awareness day observed on October 11 to support anyone "coming out of the closet". Hear from Omar Farías, VMD, Director of Scientific & Academic Affairs at Hill's, about what National Coming Out Day means to him: National Coming Out Day reminds me how privileged I am.  I get to share with my world  that I am an out and proud, cis gay man. But, coming out does not happen in a day, it is a process. A process, in which I had to learn to love myself first, and chose my happiness over everything else. It is also a reminder that not everyone is safe to come out in the environment in which they live, and that each individual chooses their own path.  Days like these are important so that one day, everyone feels safe, and is safe to live their authentic life. Learn more about Hill's Colgate-Palmolive's support for the LGBTQIA community: https://lnkd.in/g36wCeFG

As Neurodiversity Celebration Week comes to an end, I have some thoughts on the commentary I've been seeing: "Why would you celebrate a disability?" "What's the point of having this week when after tomorrow, everyone will just go back to doing what they want and no change will ever come from it?" So I have some thoughts on all this. 1) Unlike some other celebrations days, weeks, or months, NCW was created BY a neurodivergent person (Siena Castellon MBE) and FOR neurodivergent peeps. And maybe I'm getting old and cranky, but I'm really tired of people pooping all over initiatives created by our own community. You don't want to celebrate it? No problem! Don't. But for the rest of us, we're going celebrate our badass selves. Not every event was created for everyone. But for those of us who are loud and proud, this is our time to shine. And us happily shining brightly may encourage someone else who is struggling to accept themselves or fighting internalised ableism. If we as a community can support that person and surround that person with love and acceptance, then this week is a success. 2) While it would be great, not every event is going to spark huge changes, but we do have to start somewhere. Whether it creates future change is debatable, but in the meantime I will keep advocating, speaking, and writing. I still celebrate Black History Month every year. Why? Because people are still racist. And because I'm allowed to be proud of myself regardless of the actions (or inaction) of other people. Personally, I ended this week on a high note, after speaking at the Autism in The Early Years Symposium, put on by À pas de géant/ Giant Steps and AGAPE. I hope you learned something this week, added another tool to your toolbox, or just appreciated yourself or a loved one. #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #CSSHN Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada | Agence de la santé publique du Canada #NCW #NeurodiversityPride

🗓️ 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

LGBTQIA Pride Month is in just a few weeks and please, for the love of god, if you have anything to do with your company's or organization's or personal brand and are going to "rainbow-up" your logo or create a bunch of Pride-centered promos and messaging? Don't even consider it without also crafting a clear, clean, public message explaining *why* aligning or promoting Pride is important to your business, brand, mission, vision, and work. It doesn't have to be complex, but it has to be real. Tell us your history, tell us your perspective, tell us about your advocacy and it's purpose. Don't just slap a rainbow behind your logo for a month. We can tell. And we're over it. This isn't like getting dressed up for Halloween. This is a month dedicated to honor the LGBTQIA community and culture, commemorating the struggles we have endured over time, and celebrating our collective and individual contributions, talents, diversity and existence makes our everyday lives so important, bright, and unique. Be part of the conversations, not just part of the window-dressing. There is still time to plan and deliver on purpose next month.