Happy Pride Month

June 10, 2022

Pride Month commemorates the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice for all of our friends in the LQBTQ+ community.  It also celebrates the accomplishments of those individuals over the years.  One of the leading events that launched the gay rights movement occurred at the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28th, 1969.  During this event, police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was a popular gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community.  The police arrested employees and customers; all the while pedestrians watched the event unfold.  In response, riots ensued and lasted roughly 5 days.  At the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations, gay rights activists proposed the idea of a march in response to the Stonewall Inn event.  The march took place on June 28th, 1970, aimed to celebrate gay pride.  The pride march in New York sparked interest across the country and marches began all over in solidarity.  Thereafter, pride celebrations expanded across the globe.  June is now Pride Month in the United States.

T2 Group recognizes the significance of the struggles and trauma that the LGBTQ+ community has had to go through over the years, and we do not take it lightly.  We celebrate the diversity in our community and support the differences in everyone on our team. T2 supports everyone’s right to be who they are and stands by those who are not yet comfortable in their own bodies.  There is importance in understanding the history of the LGBTQ+ community and we want to hear the experiences of those individuals and fight against the stigma around what it means to be part of that community.  It’s important to stand with our fellow human beings in the LGBTQ+ community.  Standing with these folks fosters and promotes self-affirmation, dignity, equality, increased visibility of this minority group, and shuts down the shame some people try to place on them.  LGBTQ+ folks’ matter, and they need to know and see that T2 Group stands by them.

How can you help those in the LGBTQ+ community feel safe?

  1. Educate yourself. This is the first step.  Figure out not only what you know, but also what you don’t know. Then learn it. Start reading about the issues that the community faces.
  2. Plan inclusive activities. When designing activities for your team, make sure you design it with everyone in mind. Use non gendered language during ice breakers, have people add their pronouns to their name cards.
  3. Take a stand against bullying. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ individuals are far more likely to be bullied than those who are not in the community.
  4. Encourage healthy social relationships. We play a significant role in our employees’ lives. Build an environment around healthy socialization.
  5. Be there. If you know someone in the LGBTQ+ community who is struggling, be there for them. Listen to them. Let them talk about their experiences. Be a friend. Be an ally.