Léa James’ Post

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month! One of my favourite times on LinkedIn 🌈 I love seeing what organisations are doing to recognise and support the LGBTQI+ community, to reflect on the progress we’ve made, and to recognize the work that still needs to be done. Diversity, equity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential ingredients for a thriving workplace. If you’re an ally like me and don’t know how to get involved, I would suggest starting with just x3 things: 1.     Take the time to learn stuff: Understanding the history and struggles of the LGBTQI+ community is crucial. Learn by googling or inviting your colleagues and friends to share. 2.     Support: Encourage open conversations and offer support. Even just say, happy Pride month! 3.     Celebrate: Whether its participating in Pride events, wearing a badge or lanyard, showcasing LGBTIQI+ stories or turning up to that morning tea – your visibility and action counts. And do it authentically. I love to see organisations celebrate love, diversity, and the diverse spectrum of human experience and may it continue beyond June always! 🏳️🌈❤️

Happy 17th day of Pride! As we continue celebrating, I want to share 17 reasons why we, the beautiful LGBTQIA+ community, deserve to love who we love and be our authentic selves. Here's to living our truth every day: 1. Authenticity: There's nothing more powerful than being true to yourself. When we live authentically, we inspire others to do the same. 2. Love is Love: Our love is just as valid, beautiful, and worthy as anyone else's. It deserves to be celebrated, not hidden. 3. Resilience: We've faced and overcome so much. Our resilience is a testament to our strength and worthiness. 4. Diversity: Our community is beautifully diverse. Our unique perspectives and experiences make the world richer and more vibrant. 5. Happiness: Everyone deserves to be happy. Living authentically is a key part of finding and sustaining that happiness. 6. Equality: We deserve the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. Love and authenticity shouldn't be privileges—they should be rights. 7. Visibility: Our visibility helps break down stereotypes and misconceptions, paving the way for greater acceptance and understanding. 8. Support: We support each other through thick and thin. This solidarity is a reminder of the importance of community. 9. Joy: We bring joy and color to the world. Our pride and celebrations are a testament to our joy and our right to express it. 10. Innovation: Many of us are trailblazers in various fields, showing that our contributions are invaluable. 11. Courage: It takes immense courage to live openly as LGBTQIA+. That courage should be honored and celebrated. 12. Inspiration: By living our truth, we inspire others to do the same. Our stories can be lifelines for those still struggling. 13. Creativity: Our community is full of incredibly creative individuals. Our art, music, and culture enrich the world. 14. Heritage: We have a rich history and legacy. From Marsha P. Johnson to Harvey Milk, our past is full of pioneers who fought for our rights. 15. Connection: Love and authenticity help us form genuine connections with others. These connections are the foundation of a meaningful life. 16. Future Generations: By living our truth, we pave the way for future generations to live more freely and openly. 17. Pride: We have every reason to be proud of who we are. Pride is not just a celebration—it's a statement of our value and our right to exist as we are. Let's continue to stand tall, love fiercely, and live authentically. Our journey is far from over, but together, we can achieve so much. Here's to us, today and every day. Happy Pride! #LGBTQIA #PrideMonth #Pride #Diversity #Inclusion #Belonging #Equality #Rights #WeMatter

🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 As we celebrate Pride Month, it's essential to reflect on the significance of diversity and inclusivity in our workplaces. Pride Month isn't just about rainbow flags and parades; it's about recognizing and honoring the diverse experiences and identities that make our communities vibrant and our workplaces stronger. Organizations that embrace diversity and promote inclusivity within their company culture are not only fostering a more equitable environment but also reaping the benefits of a diverse workforce. Extensive research has shown that diverse teams are more innovative, make better decisions, and are better equipped to tackle complex challenges. I want to congratulate the companies that prioritize diversity and inclusivity, not just during Pride Month, but year-round. By creating spaces where individuals feel valued and respected regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or background, these organizations are setting a powerful example for others to follow. Let's continue to champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's also a smart business decision. Together, we can create environments where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives. Happy Pride Month to all! 🌟 #PrideMonth #DiversityandInclusion #InclusiveWorkplaces

🌈 Celebrating the power of our incredible, diverse community during the most colourful month of the year: PRIDE! 🌈 With 5% of the Too Good To Go team voluntarily identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, we’re committed to making sure everyone feels safe, supported, included, and understood this month - and every month. Our P.R.I.D.E Employee Resource Group (ERG) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce have put together some fantastic activities for Pride Month. 🏳️🌈 We’re counting the days to finally hear from our internal ERG panel event, who will be opening up about their own identity, their journeys and experiences of belonging both inside and outside of work. 🏳️⚧️ We’ll welcome Hannah and Jake Graf MBE - the ultimate power couple - who will lead a session on increasing trans awareness, raising visibility, and spreading some much-needed love this Pride month. 💚 🌍 Every Too Good To Go office across the world will celebrate Pride in their own unique way, to make sure our Pride initiatives represent everyone’s local culture. At Too Good To Go we believe in the power of collective action, in that there is nothing a community cannot achieve. And we’re committed to continue building and strengthening an inclusive community every day of the year, where individuals from all backgrounds, identities, and experience can express themselves at work, while taking action against food waste, together. #Sustainability #BCorp #Pride

Celebrating Pride Month with Commitment to Allyship. At VELUX we believe in fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can be their authentic selves. In celebration of Pride Month, we hosted a global event on June 17th titled "Learning how to be an inclusive colleague: LGBTQIA+ edition" where we discussed how to "break the cycle of silence" and promote open dialogue and understanding about the LGBTQIA+ community. The event, attended by about 140 colleagues from many different countries, featured an inspiring opening speech by our EVP for People & Organisation, Iben Schmidt Helbirk and speeches by DEI experts, Ashley Williams from Pearn Kandola LLP; and Louise Marie Genefke and Nikoline Nybo from Inclusify. Participants left with a deeper appreciation for diversity, stronger interpersonal connections, and practical strategies for being inclusive colleagues. Here are some of the takeaways from the event: Avoiding open dialogue about the LGBTQIA+ community perpetuates biases and limits understanding. Meaningful conversations are crucial in normalising diverse ways of living and being a family. Also, there are various roles you can take to be a good ally, including: ◾ Understanding the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals ◾ Challenging assumptions ◾ Practicing introspection ◾ Educating oneself and others ◾ Taking action against inappropriate behaviors We are committed to breaking the silence, educating ourselves, and supporting one another. Together, we can create a more inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, develop, and perform at their best. Let's continue to champion allyship and celebrate diversity every day! #PrideMonth #Allyship #Inclusion #Diversity #BrighterFuture

From a global perspective, it's so important to respect each other's cultures and be aware of the richness of diversity. Please get your copy of the wonderful calendar put together by this team The Privilege Project ! #diversity #inclusion #allyship #advocacy.

Celebrating Pride Month 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 As I see the colorful flags in the advertisements and all around the city in Bangkok , one question pops into my head: "How does Pride Month resonate with me?" A picture of one of my past relationships comes to mind. Yes, I once had a relationship with a "woman". Some might call me "bisexual" or part of the "LGBT+" community, but I prefer a simpler term: I call it "love." Growing up, I had many friends who were LGBT. I loved hanging out with them and never thought being LGBT was different. However, when I started my relationship, I experienced self-doubt. - Am I in the right relationship? - Is this the right thing to do? - Am I supposed to date a guy, get married, and have children? These questions lingered in my mind. My relationship was wonderful—one of the best I've ever had. But deep down, I felt a contradiction. I didn't dare to tell people I was in a relationship with a woman. I just said we were close friends. I was afraid of being judged, worried that revealing my relationship would impact my career, and scared that people would see me as weird. I feared disappointing my family and those around me. In reality, I guess people around me "knew" about my relationship and accepted it. But the only one who didn't accept it was probably "me." The consequence of concealing myself was that I tended to hide other parts of my true self as well. The fun parts of my life and some great memories were buried because I was too afraid to be open about who I was. But looking back, those were the memorable moments that helped me through the most difficult times of my life. I realized that being true to myself didn't destroy my abilities or talents. In contrast, it strengthened me and helped me become a better person. Even though the relationship ended, I learned tremendous lessons about myself. As my coach told me, "Chompoo, if you want to live a life of success and fulfillment, you need to accept every part of yourself because all of it makes you who you are today." Today, I want to thank the colorful flag for reminding me of this story and connecting me to a significant part of my life. It has helped me accept myself more deeply. Lastly, I want to support everyone, regardless of gender or age. We are all born with uniqueness. Be authentic. Be bold. Be the best version of yourself. And be proud of who you are. #CelebratingEquality #CelebratePrideMonth #CreativeLearningCoach #CoachChom

As Pride Month begins tomorrow, I want to remind everyone: Pride is for life, not just for June. 🌈 Every year, we see employers changing their logos to incorporate rainbows, posting about inclusivity, and joining parades. These gestures are fantastic and show great support, but what happens when June ends? Too often, the visibility and support end along with it, leaving behind the very community they aimed to celebrate. For many of us, myself included, this is personal. Pride isn't a seasonal campaign; it's a daily commitment. It's about real, lasting change. So, to all organisations out there, before you dust off your rainbow logos and call upon your queer staff to share their stories, ask yourselves why you’re not doing this all year round. This isn't to say that everyone is falling short. There are many amazing organisations out there doing brilliant and inspiring work year-round, embodying Pride's spirit. To those who are making continuous efforts, thank you. Your commitment to inclusivity makes a real difference and sets a powerful example for others. However, too often, organisations jump on the Pride bandwagon because they feel they should, not because they are genuinely committed to making a difference. This visibility makes them look great externally- because after all, if you're not celebrating Pride, you stand out, and questions arise. But here's the truth: queer people don’t disappear after June, and neither do the challenges that are faced. I love Pride month. It's one of the most magical and uplifting months of the year for everything it stands for, and its sheer queer visibility and celebration. But imagine if this visibility and celebration didn’t fade. Imagine if it was consistent, every single day. Let's use this Pride Month as a wake-up call. If your organisation realises it’s not doing enough all year round, now is the time to start. Change can begin today. You don’t need to wait. Pride isn’t just about rainbows and parades. Yes, they are an amazing part of it, but it's about celebrating the queer community, fighting for our rights, and making sure our voices are heard every single day. It’s about recognising that for many queer people, the fight for acceptance and equality is ongoing and often a matter of survival. Let’s move beyond performative gestures and make a real impact. Support queer employees, advocate for equal rights, and create inclusive environments where everyone can belong. Happy Pride Month! I can't wait to see how everyone is celebrating this year 🌈 #PrideMonth #LGBTQInclusion #Equality

As we celebrate 🌈Pride Month🌈, I’d like to raise awareness as an Ally to support our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, friends, and family. I’m lucky to have spent almost half my career working in Inclusion & Diversity, but as a leader, I have also supported colleagues in all stages of their LGBTQIA+ journey, from colleagues coming out for the first time to people openly part of the community. Based on my experience, I’d like to share some tips for creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ colleagues: 🗣️ Use Inclusive Language: Respect pronouns and names. For instance, when someone shares their pronouns, make an effort to use them. If you get them wrong the correct yourself in the moment. 📚 Educate Yourself: Learn about LGBTQIA+ issues and experiences. This could include attending workshops, reading articles, or engaging in conversations to better understand the challenges and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. 🛡️ Create Safe Spaces: Foster an environment where colleagues feel safe to be themselves. This might involve setting up inclusive policies, ensuring that any discriminatory behaviour is addressed promptly, and promoting a culture of acceptance and respect. 🎉 Support and Participate: Join in events and discussions, show your support. Participate in pride events, wear rainbow lanyards, or add a pride flag to your workspace to visibly show your support. 🤝 Be an Active Ally: Speak out against transphobia and homophobia whenever you encounter it. Sometimes people don’t realise they are not being inclusive, so gently support and educate those around you as well. ❤️ Respect Privacy and Mental Health: Understand that some colleagues may be out at work but not in their personal lives, or vice versa. Respect their privacy and be mindful of the additional mental load this may bring. Offer support and create a compassionate environment. 🌟 Recognise Diverse Experiences: Everyone has different experiences, not just between being gay or trans, but no two people will have the same experience even within these identities. For example, I’ve had two colleagues come out to me as non-binary and, although some elements of their experience were similar, the support they needed from me and their coming out journeys were completely different. It’s important to listen and understand these unique experiences. Let’s celebrate diversity and work towards a more inclusive future together. Please remember that although it’s pride month, the LGBTQIA+ community need our support the rest of the year too! Happy Pride Month! 🌈 #PrideMonth #Inclusion #Diversity #LGBTQIA #Allyship

Celebrating Pride Month 🌈 What is Pride Month all about? Rainbows – sure; parades and events – sure; spirited discussions – of course. But these are the means to an end, not the end in itself. The “end” in this case is so simple that it feels absurd to have so many “means” to achieve: the basic dignity of being yourself. I come from a generation that grew up when the LGBTQIA+ community in India and its issues were still topics beyond the known expanse of the universe. As we entered college, we heard some bits of information here and there, often accompanied by long-held stereotypes. When we broadened our horizons in the corporate world, it was like realizing that here was a dimension of life that we, who considered ourselves well-educated, had never ever seen, much less known or advocated for. But it’s not like the queer community never existed in India, right? Through the years, there have always been people who realized that they’re just a bit different, and what felt right to them was abhorrent to most of those around them and even more… a punishable offense. They were talented, empathetic, and loving but always fell short of expressing it all because being themselves meant being alone. While we still have a lot of ground to cover, I am ecstatic that we have made noteworthy progress with queer allyship in such a short span of time. I’m happy to see the generation entering the workforce now… so much more aware, so much more accepting, and so much more inclusive. And I’m proud to be part of an organization that stands committed to welcoming and supporting everyone irrespective of who they are. We need to do our bit to move the needle, not because it’s the “in-thing” but because it’s the right thing. Organisations that foster kindness and are free of biases ensure everyone feels safe and empowered to achieve their potential. Wide diversity in such environments not only supports individuals but also drives business success by bringing in a range of opinions and views, fostering innovation. It’s only when you can be yourself, without the apprehension of judgment, exclusion, or aggression, that you can put your best foot forward and unleash your full potential. So, if you’re reading this and are from the community – stay strong and stay proud – we are here for you! And to all the allies out there – you’re doing a fabulous job, keep it up! Happy Pride! 🌈 Deloitte Saraswathi Kasturirangan Vishaka Saraf