LGBTQ+ Advocacy Through Pride Month and Beyond

We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals have had on history locally and internationally.

While a strong global movement has improved respect for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, not every culture supports their LGBTQ+ community. At least 69 countries have laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual activity, and at least 42 have legal barriers to freedom of gender expression and identity, targeting transgender and nonconforming individuals. Even within more progressive cultures, there is often non-agreement over policies and laws that affect LGBTQ+ people. It is with this in mind that we continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals across the globe, and their safe expression of self.

Some things we believe in advocating for:

• Hiring LGBTQ+ individuals
  • Transgender adults are twice as likely as cisgender adults to be unemployed, and cisgender employees make 32 percent more money a year than transgender employees, even when the latter have similar or higher education levels (and this is U.S.-focused research).
• Parental leave over maternity and paternity leave
• Eliminating gendered dress code policies in employee handbooks
  • According to the Human Rights Campaign, 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ workers report having been told or had coworkers imply that they should dress in a more feminine or masculine manner, compared to just 1 in 24 non-LGBTQ+ workers.
• Inclusive bathroom signs (like this one in our Boston office!)
• Learning journeys
  • True advocacy is not something you can check off on your to-do list. Concepts, terminology, and policies related to the LGBTQ+ community (and DEI generally) change over time, so it’s helpful to stay in the loop. We really like this glossary of LGBTQ+ terms.
• LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Groups (with budgets!)
• Advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community beyond June
  • As June comes to a close, your solidarity shouldn’t too. Can you or your organization commit to one of the items above?

Aperian Global employees share their solidarity:

Lauren Jackson, Global Account Manager: “I want every single person to feel that they can bring their entire authentic selves to work. I celebrate my LGBTQ+ peers and want them to feel loved and supported every single day. While I cannot know firsthand the pain that the LGBTQ+ community has had to endure both in and out of the workplace throughout history, I commit as an ally to stand beside my colleagues and continue the fight for their inclusion and belonging in all spaces!”

Joyce Lee, Client Engagement Team Manager: “While there is more awareness and celebration of Pride Month in the U.S. and more developed countries, the topic is still taboo in others. I read the news in Hong Kong that a teenage lesbian couple recently died by suicide. Coming out takes a lot of courage and support from family and friends. Although everyone may have different opinions, I believe listening and showing respect can ease a lot of anxiety, and help LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe being true to themselves.”

Esteban Esquivel, Global Account Manager: “It’s comforting to see colleagues advocating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. I think where most of the focus should go now is to our trans brothers and sisters, who face discrimination even within our community. I believe in practicing what we preach, and so establishing a safe environment where everyone, regardless of their gender or sexuality, can thrive and feel comfortable, should be our goal. As we know, we all benefit, when each and every one of us is allowed and encouraged to bring their truest and fullest self to work.

We are not done advocating for the LGBTQ+ community until every member has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.