Workplace Summit - 2022

Hello, members of the Alphabet Mafia and Allies!

I spent this past week in Las Vegas at the Out & Equal Workplace Summit! Four days of LGBTQ+ Focused professional development and ideas. Over 4000+ members of our community and allies gathered to help further the reach of DEI in the workplace. I got to network and meet some amazing people and build connections that I hope to take with me into the future of my professional career. I got to meet and have drinks with the founder of Out & Equal, Selisse Berry and meet the person currently holding one of my dream jobs, being over global DEI for our organization. I could attend a few exciting workshops and can say that I not only learned much good information for business and company purposes; but also learned a lot about myself and the community.

First, our community is strong and resilient. I cannot believe the strength and power that our storytellers have. There were many speakers over the past few days, but a few just hit me emotionally. The first was when Erin Uritu), CEO of Out & Equal, gave a speech that reminded me why I strive to go to events like this, why I am here writing to you all, and most of all, why the battles and fights to come are so very important. Her speech talked about her daughter, who was so brave to come out as Pan & Non-Binary at 9. How they had their heart broken and became less comfortable with themselves after a mother at her school forbade their daughter to talk to her when she gave her a valentine and admitted she liked her. How they went back on their pronouns and now struggle to be their authentic self again.

I got to chat with two different. Trans women on their struggles and obtain feedback regarding a situation someone I know is going through and how I can best support HIM on HIS journey. I spoke with an advocate about the trans legislature and how badly things genuinely look in the US. I have made new connections all over the country, and it is fantastic. Excellent that a conference like this helps educate, grow, and develop individuals from other organizations, some of which are competitors, in the spirit of progress.

I feel re-energized for my battle. My voice is recharged.

We are a community that fights; we are a community that stands; we are a community that expands the borders of segmentation. We need to stop focusing on the labels, and focus on the intersectionality, focus on the larger picture and how we can support each other.

Love and Light to you all!

Joey - To Gay or Not to Gay