Resilience: A Virtual Community Call-In for LGBTQ Professionals and Our Allies

These are uncertain times, and they are also times in which we need each other more than ever before.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacts us all - but while this time of crisis may isolate us, it’s important to remember the breadth, strength, and heart of our communities and that we are not alone.

The idea for bringing our voices together began on an LBTQWomen conference call at the end of last week, just four voices sharing space together and reflecting on the current climate where we each reside.

As we discussed the need for each of us to lean on one another at a time when we need it most, we formed an idea: to bring our extended community of advocates, professionals, business partners and friends together and share personal and organisational strategies to help each of us navigate moving forward.

There is so much that we could talk about, and the points below are what we hope can be a starting point for a detailed discussion amongst us all:

- Our work on inclusion does not stop; never more than at a time like this is it necessary for this work to continue. But the question a lot of us are tackling is HOW?

- Our collective mission is to ensure that LGBTQ and underrepresented people can bring their whole selves to work, but in this time of self-isolation for so many it can feel like being back in the closet. How are we mitigating this impact on our well-being, our sense of belonging, and our mental health?

- We all utilise the power of networking and bringing not only our people and communities together but also inviting our allies as a collective opportunity to learn together and from each other. In the wake of cancelled events and a reduced rate of physical human interaction, how are we planning to continue to network and share best practices with each other over the coming weeks?

Diversity Pride

In the spirit of community, collaboration and sharing space at this critical time, Diversity Pride is teaming up with LBTQ Women, myGwork and Jennifer Brown Consulting by hosting a call, open to all, this coming Wednesday, March 18th, at 08:30am PDT/11:30am EST/15:30pm GMT time.

We are allocating two hours for the call but please join us whenever/for however long you can.

The call will be led by Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) advocates Chloe Davies, Jennifer Brown and Martin Kmiecik and will provide a format for dialogue and chat via Zoom.