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It may be the end of June BUT….. Why Awareness Months Matter I've seen posts lately criticising Pride Month and initiatives like Black Lives Matter, often accompanied by comments like "All Lives Matter." Let's set the record straight: Yes, all lives do matter, but the reason we focus on specific groups at certain times is to address and raise awareness about the unique challenges they face. We celebrate Pride Month to honor the LGBTQ community and their ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. Similarly, Black Lives Matter highlights the systemic racism and injustice faced by Black individuals. These initiatives aren't about saying other lives or issues don't matter; they're about shining a light on specific problems that need our attention and action. For those who argue that we should celebrate all lives and issues all the time, consider this: by bringing focused attention to different causes at different times, we ensure that each gets the visibility and support it needs. Just like in business, where we don’t promote all products at once but focus on one at a time to maximise impact, awareness months allow us to concentrate our efforts and make a real difference. So instead of complaining about why certain groups get a month or why certain movements are in the spotlight, let's support these initiatives and understand that they are essential for driving progress and creating a more inclusive society for everyone. Do you agree?

As we approach the end of Pride month, and the rainbows start to disappear from the logos, I’d like to take a moment to remind leaders to think about your LGBTQ people all year round. When you’re developing programs of work around DEI that specifically focus on us, remember to not only consult us, but to ensure we are empowered to take the lead. When you’re celebrating events like Pride month and LGBT history month, whilst it’s great to have allies supporting and getting involved, ensure they don’t take over at the expense of your LGBTQ team members. Despite the stereotypes, not all of us have the loudest voices in the room, and some of us will need a helping hand to make sure our voices are heard. Whilst Pride is a great time of celebration, let’s not forget that the Pride movement is rooted in protest. There’s still a fight to be had, not least for the Trans members of our community who - in the midst of culture wars, are having their identities questioned by the political class and right wing media outlets. Whilst Pride is, for many us, a time to party and celebrate who we are, for others in our community, it can be painful. Growing up in a predominantly straight, cisgender world can leave us with a lot of shame to unpack in our adulthoods. Queer people are disproportionately affected by mental health issues and struggles with addiction - because many of us felt rejected by our families, society, and the world at large - particularly when we were growing up. For many Trans people, this rejection is raw. They’re experiencing this rejection right now, from all corners. Remember - your queers are not just for Pride month. We’re here every day, every week, every month, 365 days of the year. Support us, encourage us, empower us, advocate for us. #pridemonth 🌈🏳️⚧️❤️

I abhor all these "Best of" lists. Fast Company probably shouldn't be like "hey, it's June, here are the best and most innovative LGBTQ people in business," but maybe more like "good job surviving; here are the best LGBTQ organizations to support life-saving programs for LGBTQ folks." So here are my draft picks: Transhealth: founded by my friend Perry Cohen, to provide critical healthcare services to trans folks in rural areas. The Trevor Project: life-saving crisis services for youth. Did you know that LGBTQ youth are more likely to have thoughts of suicide than any other group? Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP): a collective offering free legal services for LGBTQ identified people of color and of low incomes. Free Mom Hugs Inc. : founded by a conservative Christian mother who eventually realized that losing her gay son wasn't worth preaching hate and intolerance; provides everything from a stand-in mom at an LGBTQ wedding to, you know, free hugs. It Gets Better: remember when Dan Savage started this organization? I sure do. This is to remind LGBTQ youth that it does, in fact, get better. That is something I wish I could have told my teenage self. We don't all get to eventually marry a wonderful person and live our lives free of prejudice, but it's really nice when we do. PS: Thank you Christina Tosi for the cake.

As we approach the end of Pride Month, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the importance of allyship. Pride Month is a beautiful celebration of love, acceptance, and visibility for the LGBTQ community. But let's remember that support shouldn't be limited to these 30 days. Being an ally means showing up consistently, even when the rainbow flags come down. We're all on a journey of self-discovery and growth. As allies, it's crucial to keep learning, unlearning, and challenging biases. Attend workshops, read books, listen to diverse voices, and engage in conversations that expand your understanding. Allyship isn't performative—it's about action. Reach out to LGBTQ friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Ask how they're doing, celebrate their victories, and stand by them during challenges. Amplify their voices and advocate for equal rights. None of us have all the answers so it's important to approach allyship with humility. Seek feedback, acknowledge mistakes, and commit to doing better. The more we learn, the stronger our support becomes. #PrideMonth #Allyship #LoveIsLove #InclusionMatters

Happy Pride Month!🌈 Pride Month is about celebration. But its also about using our skills to challenge statistics, make change, and push for better, more inclusive, services. According the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, 3 in 10 LGBTQ adults have experienced discrimination based on their identity while trying to access financial advice. Studies also show that LGBTQ individuals face a unique subset of financial difficulties at a disproportionate rate. So, when it comes to providing financial planning for LGBTQ individuals, there are a number of elements at play. Any great financial planner will recognise these elements and consider them in their planning process. They will support you, act as a sounding board for your own ideas, boost your confidence (both financial and personal), increase your control, and help you see your future with extreme clarity. Everyone deserves to feel clear, confident, and in control. It is our job to make that happen. #pridemonth2024 #financialservicesindustry #financialplanning #londonwealthmanagement #diversityandinclusion

Today is the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The Stonewall riots were led by the most marginalized people in the LGBTQ community, including Black and brown trans sex workers. This is why in many cities June is Pride month. When my wife and I visited NYC last month we met up with Edwin Vega, CPCC, PCC at The Stonewall Inn and then went for a walk. I admire how Edwin takes a fierce stand for making coaching a more inclusive and equitable space. He's got a giant heart. If you look at the photo below you'll see it beaming out of his gorgeous smile. A lot has changed in 55 years, and some of the progress we've made on LGBTQ rights are being eroded now. We need to take a fierce stand for all of letters, but especially for trans and non-binary youth. What will LGBTQ human rights look like 55 years from now, in 2078? Your actions today will impact that future reality. What will you commit to doing, either in your personal life or at work, to ensure trans and non-binary people are safe, included and have equal human rights?

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.

#PrideMonth is not over. In fact, in some cities like Tacoma, WA, it is just starting! This year there seems to be more backlash against our community, but as this piece by NPR points out this backlash is a result of increased visibility, and has been perpetuated by a small group of bad actors. "Corporates have NOT stepped away from the LGBTQ community and nor are they going to. Honestly, in order to future-proof their business, they have to include our community. When you look at GenZ reporting, 30% identify as or are LGBTQ. That is the future consumer and employee." With visibility comes backlash. Our community has had peaks and lulls between progress and backlash. "What the people who lead these backlashes don't understand is that every time they go after us it inspires people to come out and be visible." When it comes to corporate sponsorship much of the pressure to participate comes from employees. Today we are seeing ERG groups fight back against the backlash. Let's continue to be visible and let everyone know that we are not going anywhere. If you are in #FinTech and #FinServ and want to work with the LGBTQ communities, stay strong on your conviction because the future is #Gay! If you want to find out about UNITY™ Programship at Females and Finance and the other affinity groups of Females and Finance Community, please follow us, join the group and tag others who you know are part of our community! Sheryl Hickerson, Peggy Haslach, CFP®,CLU®, Katie Kimball Dyer Tara Meehan Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®, RICP®, WMCP® https://lnkd.in/gGCA8c88

“By maybe helping other advisors feel comfortable with the topic, we can actually save people's lives.” - Tim Volk In our special Pride Month episode, our client Tim shares how he helps families and advisors address sensitive topics, including LGBTQ issues 🌈 Tim is a financial consultant who helps ultra-HNW families navigate the human side of wealth, including intergenerational wealth transfer and family dynamics. Are you wondering *how* to talk about sensitive topics with your clients? Tim offers tried-and-true advice in this conversation. (Links are in the comments) To discover the WHY behind Tim’s passion for coaching advisors on issues impacting the LGBTQ community, click play ⬇️ #BeYourOwnLoud #Pride2024 #AdvisorMarketing

Today we begin a content series called “25 Days of Project 2025”. If you weren’t already concerned about a second Trump presidency then brace yourself because this sh*t is scary. Project 2025, devised by former Trump White House staffers, is an authoritarian, Christian nationalist plan to transform the Untied States into an autocracy. It would undermine the rule of law, the separation of powers, the separation of church and state and civil liberties for women, people of color and the LGBTQ community. Each day we’ll be highlighting a different policy contained in Project 2025’s 900-page manifesto. We recommend that you share with friends and family who may not be aware of what will happen if Trump wins in November. #25DaysofProject2025