LGBTQ+ Advocacy with Lisa Williams

This month, we talked with Lisa Williams (she/her), our Inclusion & Belonging Strategist & Coach, about Pride Month, and the wonderful work that she does as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

As we begin LGBTQ+ Pride (Persistence, Respect, Initiative, Dependability, and Empathy) month, I find myself reflecting on how I advocate for the LGBTQ+ community? What am I noticing – what can I learn?  I notice that I am advocating more in the systems I am a part of.  I notice that I pulled out my pin yesterday, put it on and wore it proudly the last two days (I learn through this noticing; that this is a behaviour I will do all the time going forward).  I also notice that I love my Loudoun Pride 2022 t shirt from last year and wear it all the time – I cannot wait until Sunday for this year’s #LoudounPride .  I notice, with reflection across the last year, that the main topic I talk about with people is the use of pronouns. 

Two years ago I started to use them with my name, automatically, everywhere as I introduce myself.  It has taken practice, and I notice I am typically, the only one in systems I am a part of, that use them like that. I notice that I am sometimes asked “why do you do that?” Thanks to all of you that ask -I am appreciative of your curiosity, and am proud to play a small role in increasing awareness. I notice sadly, most do not ask.  I reinforce what is shared in this article  - using pronouns may be the easiest thing for cis-gendered folks to do, to create more inclusive places (Why I put pronouns in my signature). 

So, as I share with all my clients and those that ask – what should we do this month to celebrate Pride?  Don’t just think about what you do in June – consider what you can do, year round, to embody inclusivity of the LGBTQ+ community, and I offer ----- to learn just notice…

Be well –

Lisa (she/her)