YouTube’s Post

Dear teacher organisations and associations; public and private school boards (including Catholic, for example); colleges and university programs; directors and principals; publishing companies; and all other education businesses, Please consider these reflective questions about last month: 🏳️🌈 Are you proud of what you did for LGBTQ+ teachers, learners, and other staff this #Pride2024? 🏳️🌈 What's next in your game plan for year-long support for our community? 🏳️🌈 Do you need help?

Clever co-marketing from Craig's Cookies Inc. and Sally Hansen 👏 The business world might be competitive by nature, but co-marketing proves you can also unlock growth through collaboration. While big brands team up on co-marketing campaigns all the time, it’s the smaller companies with fewer resources that stand to benefit most from strategic partnerships. After all, why build an audience from scratch or stretch your resources thin when you can share what you and other like-minded brands already have? You need to give before you get, but what you end up getting together through co-marketing is something you likely wouldn’t have gotten alone. This is a great example from two iconic brands united in their commitment to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.

Thursday Thoughts: When your child comes out as transgender, they aren't the only ones who change. Your family configuration changes, and even if you don't realize it right away, you will change, as a parent. Becoming the parent of a transgender child opens your eyes to injustices that you may not have been previously aware of. And once you are aware of these injustices and how they impact your child, you won't be able to ignore them. It's one thing to say you are an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. It's another thing to be one. Having a transgender child moves you from a place of saying to a place of being.

This was one of the biggest ah-ha moments I've had coming out of a Comm Convo. Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I often have big ideas and then dig in to work really hard and make it happen. No humble-bragging; my point is the opposite. A weakness with my M.O. is that it's easy to get tunnel vision and not appreciate signs of progress and small wins, because I'm always working toward something else. I think this is why change -- when it comes to more important issues like achieving true equity in [fill in the blank with any industry name here] -- seem elusive. Yes, while it's inarguably important to not lose sight of those master goals, we can do our part to create safe spaces for those in our own communities. Especially in our role as communicators in an industry with human health at its center, we are super well-positioned to lead by example. And the ah-ha moment for me specifically was that seemingly small gestures can have real, meaningful impact, and that shouldn't be taken for granted or worse, sacrificed because we're too busy trying to convince other people to do the right thing.

Did you know LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities often get bullied more at school? This can make school really tough for them. It's time to speak up! Everyone should feel safe and supported at school. How you can help: Spread the word: Share this post to tell others. Learn: Find out about the barriers LGBTQ+ youth with disabilities face. Support: Help students, parents, and teachers make schools welcoming and safe. Let's all work together to make sure every student feels safe, respected, and valued. #Pride2024 #DisabledAndQueer #PacificADACenter

Geek Intervention: Queer Representation in Cartoons: Engage clients in analyzing and discussing the impact of queer representation in geek media, such as Steven Universe or She-Ra. Encourage exploration of positive LGBTQ+ role models, relationships, and storylines. Facilitate conversations on the importance of representation for self-identity, community connection, and fostering a sense of belonging. Empower clients to celebrate and find inspiration in these diverse narratives.

If we fail to approach AI with thoughtful consideration for marginalized communities, AI is likely to fail us. My new blog explores the risks AI presents for the LGBTQ+ community, along with some of the ways we can -and must-mitigate them. . . . #lgbttech #lgbtq #lgbtqia #ai

Brace yourselves for the transformative impact of Meta's recent updates in Facebook and Instagram targeting. These changes are sending ripples across the business landscape, especially for those engaging with specialized groups like the LGBTQ+ community. In 2022, Meta earned a whopping $113 billion from ads, and now they're simplifying things. Why? Simplify the ad experience while actively addressing concerns related to sensitivity and discrimination. As businesses, we need to adapt to these changes, tweaking our strategies effectively to ensure we always connect with our target audience. DOWNLOAD the guide for more information: https://lnkd.in/eKS-jmwy

Representation does matter.