Celebrating Pride Month: Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Peers and Colleagues
June is Pride Month – an opportunity for us to recognize and celebrate the achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals across America, while also acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to support the LGBTQ+ community in their ongoing struggle for equity and justice. Here are some steps you can take to support your LGBTQ+ peers and colleagues during Pride Month:
1. Research and learn about the appropriate terminology to use and the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces. The library at the LGBTQA+ Center (Nebraska Union 346) has over 1,500 resources related to gender, sexuality, and intersections of identity. Furthermore, the LGBTQA+ Center has many downloadable guides on their website to learn more about definitions, terminology, pronoun usage, and support resources. Using the appropriate terminology affirms the identity of folx who have struggled with discrimination and injustice simply because of who they are.
2. Incorporate your pronouns on social media and when introducing yourself to others. Pronouns are a key component of who we are, and for trans and nonbinary folx, it can feel stigmatizing or othering to continuously correct people who use the incorrect pronouns. By actively sharing our pronouns, we can create an environment that helps us avoid making assumptions based on appearance. Consider including your pronouns as a part of your email signature and during your introductions in class. Additionally, social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram have recently added the capability to include your pronouns.
3. Open a dialogue and challenge those around you. Part of being an ally is to correct our family, friends, and peers when they say something that is harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. When someone misgenders an individual who is out, make sure to correct their use of the wrong name and/or pronouns. When someone makes an inappropriate or harmful “joke” at the expense of a person or community, let them know why their language was wrong and explain the impact that those comments can have on folx.
4. Deconstruct your perception of professionalism. When thinking about discussions and opinions regarding professional dress, much of our language is gendered. Rather than focusing on the binary options for clothing, adjust your language and remove references to gender altogether. You can talk about clothing (skirts, heels, blazers, slacks), facial and body hair, and more without having to name a gender at all.
For those interested in taking further action or who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, here are some additional resources:
• Handout: Incorporating Pronouns and Chosen Name in Application Materials (https://uofnelincoln.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/UNL-BusinessCareerCenter-FTE301/EegOMOiFy_lBopU0h3i7jEQBWjU8ZVVXe1Vb0uQpc_jQJw?e=cdyfkO)
• LGBTQIA+ Career Resources (https://careers.unl.edu/channels/lgbtqia/)
By Paula Caldwell
Business Career Center
More details at: http://business.unl.edu/current-students/business-career-center/