National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Post

February is LGBTQ History month. To mark this occasion, I presented at Sky's weekly Research Team meeting. In this session, I covered: 🌈What LGBTQ History month is and why it's important - there are lots of reasons why it's important. 🌈How this month came about. For those who don't know, it was a direct response to Section 28 - a clause with prohibited any mention of queer families & content in local authorities, including schools from 1988-2003. 🌈How we can support the LGBTQ community now and always - there are also lots of ways we can support. 🌈Finally, what Sky are doing to celebrate both internally with events and externally with content. As a Sky LGBTQ Champ (someone who's in the know and spreads this knowledge) and a Bisexual woman, this month is particularly important to me. #lgbthistorymonth #diversityandinclusion

Be an ally. Be Kind. We ALL have one thing in common, we are all human beings first. Yet, so many different people continue to experience discrimination for a multitude of reasons. Financial wellness in the LBGTQ community face unique challenges and setbacks-- we all deserve to have access to financial products and services in an equitable environment. The 2024 LGBTQ Financial Wellness Report's key findings are a rude awakening that there is much work to be done for better financial inclusion. *Roughly half (48.15) of LGBTQ adults say they are financially unwell, compared to one-quarter (25.7%) of the general public. Both BIPOC and younger (age 18-24) LGBTQ adults are even more likely to say they are financially unwell. *Three in ten (30.8%) LGBTQ adults say they have experienced discrimination while accessing financial services *Roughly half (48.15) of LGBTQ adults say they are financially unwell, compared to one-quarter (25.7%) of the general public. *Nearly 60% (59.7%) of LGTBQ adults have annual household incomes below $75,000. "The data underscore the need for our economic empowerment programs, especially for younger BIPOC LGBTQ folks. I hope the data are a call to action for organizations serving our community. Given what we know about who is struggling the most, these organizations have an opportunity to center BIPOC young adults by being culturally responsive, trauma informed, and offering voice and choice to young people.” Maruka Rivers, Director of Economic Empowerment Programs at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation How is your credit union being an ally? If not, reach out and get involved.

There is only one week left to take action by responding to the public consultation on the guidance which is open until 12 March. Here are four ways you can take action: 1. Respond to the consultation The coalition have created a guide on how to respond to the consultation which you can access via the campaign webpage. Allsorts Youth Project have also produced a guide for young people responding to the consultation. 2. Support the campaign You can do this by signing the Supportive Schools Campaign statement. 3. Write to your MP Use Mermaids' ‘Write to your MP’ tool to ask your MP to put pressure on the Government to listen to trans youth and ensure schools are safe and supportive spaces for all young people. LGBT Foundation are organising a range of consultation response sessions where LGBTQ people and allies are welcome to answer the consultation together, with the guidance of LGBTQ policy experts who will explain the guidance clearly and help answer any questions people have whilst filling in the consultation. 4. Share the campaign Spread the campaign far and wide with others by using the hashtag #SupportiveSchools and signposting them to the Campaign webpage. You can find all of these resources by accessing the Campaign webpage here: https://lnkd.in/d37w2cKP

It’s a critical time for LGBTQ groups, and unrestricted revenue helps organizations at the frontlines accomplish more, like responding rapidly to evolving situations. NEW Pride Agenda and Funders for LGBTQ Issues share their thoughts about it >> ✳ "Independent revenue generation helps our organization respond more rapidly to emerging crises in our community and engage in more direct advocacy work with ease. It allows our organization to have strategic reserves and flexible spending power." - Elisa Crespo, Executive Director, New Pride Agenda ✳ "In a critical moment for LGBTQ communities nationwide, independent revenue streams empower our organization to move creatively and with flexibility amid a constantly shifting landscape." - Amara Reese-Hansell, Member Engagement Officer, Funders for LGBTQ Issues 🔗 Read about our inaugural LGBTQ cohort to build power through revenue generation! https://bit.ly/4630dYB

It's #Pride Month! Take action for older #LGBTQ adults. The problem: "We know that local aging services and supports are critical for the LGBTQ community to succeed as they age. However, fear due to a lifetime of discrimination and current lived experiences prevents many LGBTQ elders from accessing the care and support they need to thrive." Learn more about what you can do to help. #MondayMotivation https://ed.gr/ehb1o

There are only two weeks left to take action by responding to the public consultation on the guidance which is open until 12 March. Here are four ways you can take action: 1. Respond to the consultation The coalition have created a guide on how to respond to the consultation which you can access via the campaign webpage. Allsorts Youth Project have also produced a guide for young people responding to the consultation. 2. Support the campaign You can do this by signing the Supportive Schools Campaign statement. 3. Write to your MP Use Mermaids' ‘Write to your MP’ tool to ask your MP to put pressure on the Government to listen to trans youth and ensure schools are safe and supportive spaces for all young people. LGBT Foundation are organising a range of consultation response sessions where LGBTQ people and allies are welcome to answer the consultation together, with the guidance of LGBTQ policy experts who will explain the guidance clearly and help answer any questions people have whilst filling in the consultation. 4. Share the campaign Spread the campaign far and wide with others by using the hashtag #SupportiveSchools and signposting them to the Campaign webpage. You can find all of these resources by accessing the Campaign webpage here: https://lnkd.in/d37w2cKP

Happy Pride Month! June is Pride month, and holds a huge amount of importance for all LGBTQ people and allies. Pride stems from the Stonewall Riots which took place in New York in 1969, when an LGBTQ crowd decided to fight back at the injustice of the police invading their rights and queer spaces. Five days of rioting took place and changed gay and lesbian rights for ever. As a result of this, lots of legal and political changes have taken place and directly impacted the life of the LGBTQ community, such as the Same Sex Couples Act 2013. Pride is a fun and enjoyable time for everyone, where people are able to share their identity and be open with others. But it is also about raising awareness of the issues faced by the LGBTQ community and shining a light on the issues that still impact different parts the community. For example, although rights have improved for Lesbian and Gay people, trans people within the UK are still facing difficulties. Pride now represents solidarity, collectivity, identity and resistance to discrimination and violence, which is so important for everyone in order to live and identify without prejudice.

We have an event coming up focused on becoming/being and LGBTQ parent, part of our LGBTQ Families series. The Roundtable will feature three LGBTQ parents who can share from their lived experience what it was like to bring children into their families - Phill Weaver, Stephen Ingham and another parent. Register on Eventbrite here: https://lnkd.in/ediSky7d (if you work for a PSA network organisation, PM us for the code to attend for free) Who should attend: those who are part of the LGBTQ community who want practical advice about what it’s like to start a family; others who want to support LGBTQ people who want to start a family, particularly managers. Purpose: The purpose of the roundtable is to provide practical knowledge and advice from those who are part of the LGBTQ community and have started families.

As we honor Pride Month, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made, recognize the invaluable contributions of the LGBTQ community, and pledge to continue our efforts in creating a more just and inclusive society for all. Together, we can build a future where everyone can be their authentic selves, and equity in all aspects of life, including healthcare, is a reality. https://lnkd.in/eRwGpsxg https://lnkd.in/ejZsPCJ8

Does #PrideMonth help raise enough awareness about LBGTQ issues? 69% of the readers of our publisher Yahoo said ‘No’ and we also agree that waving the rainbow flag just for one month a year is definitely not enough. Is it important to dedicate an entire month to the achievements and challenges of the LGBTQ community? Yes. Is it equally important to address these things the rest of the year? Also yes. LGBTQ issues go beyond Pride Month. Because as we see in the results of the surveys, the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ people are still not a given and in many people’s opinion are once again under threat. It is therefore important to show awareness and support beyond Pride Month. Because in reality, every month is Pride Month.