June is Pride Month! Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which was a major tipping point in the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. What started as “Gay Pride Day,” quickly grew into a month-long celebration including pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world.
In honor of this month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, we are focusing on the importance of an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace. According to GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ friendly workplace can lead to improved health, increased job satisfaction, better relationships with co-workers and supervisors, and greater work commitment among LGBTQ+ employees.
At TBG, we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all through the work of our Council for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). One of the ways we aim to foster this inclusive environment is through education and ongoing conversation. In light of Pride Month, we recently spoke with Katie Welch, Audit Manager and DE&I Communications Committee Member, on the topic of pronouns and gender identity – a critical topic impacting workplace inclusivity. Katie shared their story and gave some tips on how to better understand and show respect to those with different gender identities.
“For most of my life, I have used she, her, and hers for my pronouns because I was born a female and those were the pronouns assigned to me. It is only within the last five years or so that I even considered changing my pronouns. I made the decision to change my pronouns a few years ago in favor of using they, them, and their,” said Katie.
Katie explained how one of the reasons they chose to make the change in pronouns was simply because, “they, them, and their felt like a better fit for [them] given who [they] are, as a person.”
Like many others, using correct pronouns is very important to Katie, especially in the workplace. It shows that someone has taken the time to get to know them, and above all, that they value the feelings and preferences of others. “Using a person’s chosen pronouns makes them feel more comfortable and accepted and, as a result, that person is more likely to stay at a company and work harder for those around them,” said Katie.
Katie further explains that it’s very simple to be respectful and inclusive regarding pronouns. “If someone has expressed a certain set of pronouns, try to use them,” they said. Katie adds that perfection is not expected, but the effort is so important to making a person feel respected and included. Furthermore, “if you aren’t sure about someone’s pronouns, simply ask!”
Katie encourages everyone to, “continue educating themselves, listening and learning, and remaining open to conversations as we work to be the best we can be.”
To continue the education process on DE&I and gender identity, we encourage you to check out these resources:
- Medical News Today: What are some different types of gender identity?
- NPR: A Guide To Gender Identity Terms
- NIH: What are Gender Pronouns? Why Do They Matter?
For more information on the history and traditions of Pride Month, click here. If you’re interested in learning more about the ways TBG is committed to creating an inclusive workplace, don’t hesitate to reach out.
This material has been prepared for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. Should you require any such advice, please contact us directly. The information contained herein does not create, and your review or use of the information does not constitute, an accountant-client relationship.
