“We are here today to wrestle with some hard questions,” said Tim’m T. West, Executive Director of the LGBTQ Institue at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, during his opening address to executives, LGBTQ leaders, and other business professionals during the 2023 LGBTQ Business Forum, sponsored by Delta Airlines and UPS, on October 10th at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta.
The LGBTQ Institute and the Center’s DEI staff assembled a diverse roster of LGBTQ leaders and allies from corporate and community-based organizations, including a keynote address delivered by Chris Lugo, Executive Director of OUT Georgia Business Alliance, to shed light on the increasing need for LGBTQ inclusion in the current political landscape. Through tabletop networking and two-panel discussions, the half-day forum examined the business case for LGBTQ inclusion in sports—and also provided panelists a platform to share personal and professional testimonials of navigating corporate LGBTQ backlash after recent PRIDE Month controversies.
Gabrielle Claiborne, CEO of Transformation Journeys Worldwide and moderator of “Cementing Corporate Commitments: Doubling Down on the Business Case for LGBTQ Inclusion,” called on corporations to be proactive by creating “courageous educational moments” for LGBTQ employees and allies ahead of any potential anti-LGBTQ animus.
“Organizations need to be more strategic and mindful around how they’re positioning themselves when they take a position on a matter that relates to an LGBTQ+ individual’s experience,” said Claiborne.
“If you have this DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) statement and then you’re backing away when the rubber hits the road, then that’s performative,” added panelist Cassandra Burton, Consumer Insights Manager at AARP.
West, who…
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