Symetra’s Post

There are over 491 anti-LGBTQ bills in the US right now, including multiple in Ohio. Ohio Anti-LGBTQ legislation includes the HB 6 Trans Sport Ban, HB 8 which forces the outing of children and includes vague bans on educational content, HB 68 Ban on Gender Affirming care, HB 183 Inclusive Bathroom Ban, HB 151/ SB 83 Don’t Say Gay, and the new HB 245 Drag Ban. These bills are overreaching and designed to restrict the rights of LGBTQIA people. If you have never had your right to go to the bathroom legislated, you may not understand the gravity of these bills, and their far-reaching affects. Many of these bills override medical professionals and are not backed by science. Gender Affirming Care is suicide prevention. Transwomen deserve to play sports. There is no research or data to support that drag causes harm, and people who are not transgender are being arrested in Florida for using the "wrong bathroom" because they don't appear masculine or feminine "enough". One of my biggest fears as the Pride Resource Group founder and lead is that I have created rainbow targets for LGBTQIA people in a world and society that is not safe for us. Today, and everyday, I stand with my transgender and nonbinary siblings. I am grateful for the progress we have made at Libbey and in Northwest Ohio, but acknowledge that we still have a lot of work to do. #TransRightsAreHumanRights #DoctorsNotLegislators #Libbey #YouWillDoBetterInToledo #LGBTQIA

Celebrating #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth with insights into #LGBTQIA community well-being! Check out 8 types of resources that support joy and a positive relationship to one’s LGBTQIA identity. Learn more about what participants had to say: https://lnkd.in/gg3ct9J8

We conclude the cycle of lectures within the course "Inclusive City" with a meeting with the "The Others" (“ІншыЯ”) project, which is engaged in the promotion and inclusion of cross-cutting values in the work of civil society, as well as the formation and increase of resilience of vulnerable groups. What is inclusion? Inclusion is the process of involving of various vulnerable groups in the life of society. Why do we need inclusion? Inclusion guarantees everyone equal opportunities to participate in society. Inclusion is about: • people and diversity • process / creation of conditions • reciprocity, reciprocity, non-coercion • subjectivity and independence • "Nothing about us without us" What groups need to be included in public processes? • people with limited mobility; • visually impaired and blind people; • people with weak hearing and complete hearing loss; • people with mental disabilities; • parents with children; • LGBTQ community; • eco-friendly people • … (these are just examples, there are many more groups*): read about what the inclusion consists of in the following cards! #moo_cud #community #cud #inclusivecity 

🌈 Happy Pride Month!! 🌈 PRIDE Month is one of my favourite times of the year. As someone that has gone through a coming out journey and having learned to really embrace who I am: this time of the year is a celebration of love, kindness and self-acceptance. However, it's really important to highlight that everyone's coming out journey is significantly different. The LGBTQ2S community continues to face high rates of bullying, violence and youth homelessness. 💡 For members of the community, take the month to celebrate who you are and the strength that comes from it. Know that community and support can come in many forms. You are never truly alone ❤️ 💡 For allies of the community, allyship can come in many forms: choosing to educate yourself on LGBTQ history, supporting local entrepreneurs and supporting small businesses, attending your company's employee resource group events, providing mentorship opportunities, and more. Make an active choice! #pridemonth

🌟Here’s a tip for HR and DEI teams across organisations as we head into Pride Month very soon: 🏳️🌈Let’s please go beyond the 1 day/week/month celebrations for PRIDE in June. That doesn’t truly help anyone besides professional goal sheets. 🏳️🌈Ask yourself - Does the LGBTQIA community look up to you as a loud and proud advocate and true ally or not? 🏳️🌈Action comes in different shapes and sizes. Whether it is consistently collaborating and supporting queer owned businesses, speaking out against discrimination or even actively seeking out opportunities to learn more about the community, there are a lot of things that can be done to empower the community depending on the stage of acceptance your organisation is in. 🌟Big or small, the idea is for your actions to be consistent and authentic. Something that helps you move the needle even a little bit.

Getting your finances in order often means sharing details of your life circumstances. For some members of the LGBTQ2S community, that can be very daunting. At #MyAssiniboine, our wealth advisors are committed to helping everyone who comes through our doors, no matter who you are or where you come from. You believe in a future worth investing in, and we are invested in a better future for you. Learn how our ACU financial advisors are helping members of the LGBTQ2S community build their personal wealth: https://lnkd.in/gvyTpQ5b

It's time to get informed, take action, and make a real difference in the world! Join us for the 5th Annual Student Conference to explore solutions to reduce food insecurity, advance racial justice, fight climate change, increase political awareness, empower the LGBTQ community, and create your career pathway through community engagement!" #studentconference #makeadifference #takeaction

Together, We Rise Against Hate Yesterday, we received a call that deeply troubled us. It was from our members at Lancaster Pride , informing us about a distressing situation unfolding in our beloved city. The news left us shocked, horrified, and deeply saddened. At The Candy Factory (TCF), our doors are open to everyone. Hate finds no refuge within our walls. Our community is more than just words; we embody our values through action. Our members are actively working on the ground, striving for positive change for everyone. It's imperative that we, as a community, rise together against hate, fostering a culture of support and inclusivity. Supporting organizations like Lancaster Pride is crucial as they lead the hard work, advocating for equality, justice, and love. By standing with them, we amplify our collective voice against discrimination and reinforce our commitment to a world where everyone is valued and embraced. Let us unite in our efforts, for when we stand together, we are stronger, louder, and unbreakable. At TCF, we stand firm in our values of community, openness, accessibility, collaboration, and, above all, kindness. This post is not just a statement—it's a testament to our commitment. We live by our values every day and offer our unwavering support to our LGBTQ community. Together, we will continue to foster a community where everyone is welcome and kindness prevails. 💪🌈 #CommunityStrong #LancasterPride #KindnessOverHate

Think of the last time you walked into a room full of people and just froze. Your heart races as you realize you don’t know any of them very well; they all seem to know each other, and you wish the ground would swallow you whole. As the sweat starts to gather at your brow, a face peers up at you, smiles, and says, “You can sit with us!”. The wave of relief that follows as you sit at a table of smiling strangers takes you out of your middle school nightmare, and into a sense of belonging. Many things have changed since that middle school nightmare, but one of the most important changes is that we no longer wish to “fit in.” We now wish to be accepted for who we are—who we truly are. June is the month that we celebrate Pride and there is no better time to practice acceptance. There is no better time to invite someone to “sit” with you, to make someone feel like they belong, just the way they are. June is National Pride Month, which is rooted in the Stonewall riots, which took place over several days beginning on June 28, 1969. We want to show our support for the LGBTQ community in 911 and those helping to make the future safer for our young LGBTQ community. Your support is more than just a shirt purchase. It’s a direct contribution to the safety and well-being of young LGBTQ individuals. We understand that Pride Month is about more than rainbow logos, and this year we are utilizing our platform to help bring recognition and funding to an incredible organization. We are partnering with Zebra Youth, a nonprofit organization that assists young (ages 13-24) LGBTQ people facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual, and drug abuse with individualized programs to guide them to recovery and stability. A portion of our profit from this tee will be donated directly to their mission! Check out our new special Pride Month design (and alllll the color and size options) at our online store and support two great organizations as we show our support with the incredible LGBTQ first responders! #911derWomen #EmpowerPride #YouCanSitWithUs #PrideMonth #AcceptanceMatters #ZebraYouth #SupportEquality #LGBTQFirstResponders #LGBTYouth

Can we stop measuring safety by a bed and fully stocked fridge? No one is safe until they're free to be accepted for being themselves "despite it all." We all need belonging, and love. Where do you have left to go when you're told you don't belong with your family, but your replacement home doesn't include you either? This episode of Community In-Site is relatable to anyone growing up who didn't feel safe or valued as who they are. Chronic rejection for being your self is spirit crushing. No one deserves to wonder if their existence in itself lacks congruence. Child safety is more than a home, or placement, especially when your fundamental identity and personhood are at risk. Communities thrive when ALL child, youth, and families have the opportunity to be successful. All means all. Listen more to hear about the specific challenges LGBTQ youth face both in communities and in the system and how we can all play a role in inclusion: Apple: https://lnkd.in/e-taXHg9 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/en_GE5uw #CommunityInsite #ChildWelfare #ThrivingFamilies #FamilyWellbeing #LivedExperience #Youth #Fostercare