With the kickoff of Pride Month, I’ve been reflecting on my professional life thus far, and I am thankful for the ability to bring my true authentic self to work every day. Over the course of my career at Care, I have been able to show up as the full me and work alongside a diverse group of individuals and for a company that is devoted to cultivating an environment where all individuals are uplifted and valued. It is through this commitment to diversity and inclusivity that LGBTQ+@Care, our Employee Resource Group (ERG), was formed.
This Pride Month and beyond, LGBTQ+@Care is excited to host and provide resources to our Care community to educate, inspire and promote giving back to the wider LGBTQ+ community.
What Pride represents and celebrates
June is recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall Riots that took place in New York City in June 1969. Today, Pride is seen as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community but remains rooted in protesting against discrimination the community has and still faces.
It was not until June 2020, that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that U.S. workers cannot be terminated for being homosexual or transgender under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Though this protection was a monumental decision that lifted some weight off the shoulders of the LGBTQ+ workforce, many LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination at work, and many do not feel safe to be their full authentic self in the workplace. According to a 2021 LinkedIn survey, nearly 25% of survey respondents said they hide their identity at work for worry they may be treated differently. Additionally, 31% of out respondents say they have faced discrimination and microaggressions in the workplace.
Statistics like these continue to reinforce the need for companies to recognize their responsibility to support and help foster an inclusive environment where all people can show up proudly as themselves.
What inclusivity means at Care
Care has recognized this need and has committed to work toward ensuring inclusivity in the workplace, in the work that we do and in the services we provide. Through this pledge, LGBTQ+@Care has the autonomy to create our own mission and initiatives to provide community, support and outreach to all LGBTQ+ folks so that everybody inside and outside Care can feel seen, safe and represented.
Through webinars, professional development and networking, LGBTQ+@Care strives to not only provide a safe space and community for LGBTQ+ employees but also help educate our coworker allies. Concurrently, in the world of finding care, we aim to identify the inclusivity and accessibility obstacles faced by the LGBTQ+ community and seek ways to resolve them.
At Care, this work has been met with open ears and partnership because, at its core, our company supports and values families of all types and backgrounds and believes the organization must not only resemble but advocate to ensure we are serving these communities.
Why inclusivity in the workplace matters
A company that nurtures inclusive culture allows its workforce to find and build upon a sense of community. When a group of marginalized individuals is given the space to connect and network companywide, it not only amplifies connection with one another in and around our shared experiences, but it also creates a safe place to grow our collective voice.
Here at Care, the LGBTQ+@Care ERG partners with senior leadership on the group’s initiatives, which has created a meaningful channel in which the collective voice of the group is heard and appreciated. This not only has promoted a sense of belonging for every individual but also provides the group with something greater than ourselves. When our voices are heard and we get to see a goal or mission in action, it gives more purpose to one’s daily work and helps us ladder up to the company’s greater mission: helping find families — all families — Care for all you love.
What you can do in your workplace
So how can you make an impact in your workplace? I encourage you to commit to the basics in being an LGBTQ+ ally.
- Hold people accountable. If you see something, say something. When you witness discriminatory or microaggression, speak up. Seek out the appropriate channel and let it be known that it is not acceptable.
- Work to uncover your unconscious bias. We all have unconscious biases; make an effort to understand and correct yours.
- Educate and participate. Whether it’s joining a lunch & learn or a work event put on at your workplace, make a conscious effort to show up, listen and support.
If you identify as being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and are looking to make an impact in your workplace, here are some ideas that may help you cultivate an inclusive workspace for you and your peers.
- Connect with your HR department. Share where you believe your company can improve in creating and fostering an inclusive environment and be open to providing recommendations and resources on how they can achieve this.
- Create a community. From creating social events to forming (or joining) an ERG at your company, there are many ways that you can help make your workplace more inclusive, even in the smallest ways.
- Be a visible role model. By making a stand to live proudly, you can make an impact by giving this space for others to live as their authentic selves.
