Ashton Design’s Post

🌈 Celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month: Embracing Diversity, Honouring Struggles, and Paving the Way for Equity 🌈 As we step into February, let's take a moment to reflect, celebrate, and honour LGBTQIA+ History Month. This month is not just about recognising the triumphs and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, but also a reminder of the ongoing journey towards a world that values equity, inclusion, and diversity. 🏳️🌈 Did you know that the first LGBTQIA+ rights organisation in the United States, the Society for Human Rights, was founded in Chicago in 1924? It's a testament to the long-standing fight for equality, a struggle that continues to inspire us today. Let's also shine a light on incredible individuals who have shaped history against all odds. Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender activist, played a pivotal role in the Stonewall riots, sparking the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, paved the way for LGBTQIA+ representation in politics. These stories remind us of the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community, a community that has fought for basic human rights and continues to strive for a world where everyone can live authentically without fear of discrimination. However, LGBTQIA+ History Month is not just about the past—it's a call to action for the present and the future. As we celebrate the progress made, we must acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. Challenges persist, from discriminatory laws to societal biases, and it's crucial that we stand together in the pursuit of true equity. Every month should be an opportunity to champion diversity, elevate unheard voices, and foster a workplace culture that embraces everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Let's make a commitment to educate ourselves and others, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for policies that promote equality. By doing so, we contribute to creating a world where everyone can thrive, irrespective of who they are or whom they love. Today, I recommend watching Panti Bliss - The necessity of normalizing queer love. Enjoy. Let this month be a catalyst for positive change, not just within our workplaces but in society at large. Happy LGBTQIA+ History Month, and here's to a future where love, acceptance, and equality prevail! 🌈💙 #LGBTQIAHistoryMonth #EqualityForAll #InclusionMatters

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a day of profound historical significance and a symbol of freedom and resilience. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Juneteenth reminds us of the enduring fight for equality and the importance of recognizing and honoring this history. It's a time to reflect on the progress made and acknowledge the work still needed to achieve true equality and justice. As we commemorate this day, it's crucial to also highlight the unique struggles faced by Black members of the LGBTQIA+ community. They endure the compounded challenges of both racial and queer discrimination, fighting for acceptance and equality on multiple fronts. Let’s amplify their voices, support intersectional advocacy, and continue striving for a more inclusive and equitable society for all. Happy Juneteenth! #juneteenth #freedomday #equality #inclusion #lgbtqia #intersectionality #blacklivesmatter

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 Before you put up that social media post or send that email for your brand or company - think about your intention and know your history. A great first step? Check out this guide, developed by LGBTQIA+ creatives and allies at Copacino Fujikado: https://lnkd.in/dsKHDeSd

Storytelling isn’t just a form of entertainment. For George M. Johnson, writing has the power to change lives. The award-winning Black non-binary author was named to the TIME100 Next, TIME‘s annual list of rising stars, and Out’s 100 Most Influential LGBTQ+ People. Their New York Times bestselling memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, is a powerful recounting of George’s adolescence growing up as a young Black queer boy in New Jersey. In this quote, George emphasizes the incredible power of storytelling, and how it opens paths for others to live their life more authentically. In talks, they illuminate issues that Black queer people still face today—like toxic masculinity, LGBTQIA+ policy and law, and intersections of oppression—and how these issues play out in communities on the ground. With honesty and openness, they show us how we have the power to create a world where all young people are free to be fully themselves. To learn more about George or to book them for your next event, check out their speaking page here: https://lnkd.in/gP7hgXQZ

🌈 For #Pride, check out this insightful article on the importance of holding space for everyone in our community. Whether you're LGBTQIA+ or an ally, let's stand together in support and acceptance. Read more here:https://bit.ly/4bWOcr1 #PrideMonth #Inclusion #Equality

If you require Queer employees to serve on corporate DEI committees, then you’re really just perpetuating the straight supremacy you’re trying to fight. Some of your Queer coworkers would love to assist your DEI efforts, but others might lack the interest or capacity. If you want to leverage the lived experiences of your Queer employees for the betterment of your corporate culture, make it an optional paid opportunity. That way Queer people have the option to refuse without fear of reprisal or retribution, and they will be fairly compensated for their time. https://lnkd.in/gdTrdYRu #gaymansguide

Dr. Terry O’Banion, with extensive experience in higher education leadership, analyzed the programs of five major community college conferences. His study evaluated the inclusion of key concepts like workforce, general education, DEI, LGBTQ issues, and AI, among others. It also included observations of the conferences and the roles of the organizing staff. Discover Dr. O’Banion’s insights and findings in the full report: https://lnkd.in/gtjvU8MY

Design Prompt: How might we create a design language that’s inclusive, empowering, and innovative for Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, and everyone that’s for cultural creativity? Answer: Pepper Archive. Pepper. is a digital archive that brokers and licenses original content for creators, distributors, clients and their audiences. That’s one way to describe us. But we’re so much more. Pepper. is a celebration. A launch pad. A tool for makers who want to re-make the storytelling landscape. We believe there’s no such thing as a minority. There is no periphery. No outside. There is only perspective. And we want to see yours. https://pepperarchive.com/

Pride Month is fast approaching, here's what I don't want to see in June... 🌈 Rainbow flags going up on June 1st and coming down by July 1st. If you only visibly show support for the LGBTQIA+ community for one month, your support is performative. I want to see flags stay up, I want to see your commitment to inclusion permanently. ❌ Only supporting cis white queer people. LGBTQIA+ inclusion goes beyond just supporting cis white queer people. The most marginalised in the community (trans, disabled, black etc) must be included in your activism. 💭 Only showing your support verbally. If you are a company and your support is simply "we value LGBTQIA+ people" but you have nothing in place to support your queer staff/ you actively support anti-LGBTQIA organisations/ have nothing to protect queer people, you need to do more. 👀 Thinking you don't need to do anything because you don't have queer staff. Firstly, you need to hire queer people, Secondly, you don't know who is, who isn't and where your company/ brand/ organisation will go next and who may seek involvement. If you are not actively creating the structure to support and ensure the safety of the community, you are actively leaving them out.

When conducting research with the team for our 'Queer, Now & Next' trend report, it was clear, this year we will see LGBTQIA+ youth come together to drive positive change in the world, reshaping the agenda to create a better world of tomorrow - this is the energy we need in 2024. Now, is the time for brands to become part of this positive cultural force and effect positive change as well, there are so many ways this can be achieved. Super excited to have collaborated with some pretty special individuals on this report. Inside you can find ten socio-political and cultural queer trends GT has identified to help brands stay ahead of the cultural curve. Remember, queer culture informs mainstream culture and queer media is not just for queer audiences. So come get involved in what we are doing. Download the report here & let me know what you think https://lnkd.in/eU7y9AQe