5 Things / Cringe
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Today begins Pride month and our team has a bunch of workshops coming up (respond to book one!) In our planning sessions, a common theme is people being afraid of saying the wrong thing, of getting the LGBTQ letters wrong, or out of order. So they say nothing and the great disconnect continues.
I had a conversation this week with someone who shared a recent story of a lesbian employee referencing a vacation with her wife. A well-meaning co-worker responded,“Oh! My neighbor has a sweet lesbian daughter.” Ouch…the moment was a bit cringe-worthy in that when we focus solely on someone’s identity, we highlight how they’re different from us, reinforcing separateness.
As a lesbian myself, I’ve heard similar stuff and it is awkward. What’s the best response?“Oh, that’s nice."
But should someone be punished for trying to connect? Absolutely not…that just perpetuates division, and I’m not here to scold anyone for what they don’t yet know. Still, if you hear someone say something cringe-worthy like that, you can gently smile at everyone and redirect the conversation, “Lesbians are everywhere - we appreciate your openness with us! So what else did you do on vacation?”
And if it seems like more clarification is needed, you can have a 1:1 conversation later with the accidental offender…just be sure to use the ARC (Ask-Respect-Connect) Method.
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
Boston University Renames Dorm
Anna Ward, a Boston University student, and Osage Nation member, was shocked to arrive on campus and realize a dorm was named after Myles Standish. Standish was brutally violent to Native Americans. Anna and other students and faculty led a campaign resulting in the building being renamed 610 Beacon Street. BU’s my alma mater and I never knew that history. I’ll take this win…better late than never in addressing historical injustices and removing honors of racist historical figures.
MLB Adds Negro League Stats
Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially integrated Negro Leagues statistics into its historical records, recognizing over 2,300 players, including Josh Gibson. Known as one of the greatest hitters, Gibson’s Negro Leagues stats surpass those of legends like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth. This decision corrects a historical oversight, placing Gibson and his peers alongside modern icons like Mike Trout. This inclusion honors the achievements of Black players and validates the significant contributions of these Negro League players to the sport.
Melinda French Gates Pledges $1B for Women
Melinda French Gates pledged $1 billion to support women's rights and families globally, targeting issues such as reproductive rights and gender equality, emphasizing the economic and societal benefits of investing in women. Her donation is “to protect and further equality and remove the barriers that hold women back.” Part of her initiative is to give $20 million each to 12 partners for the purpose of advancing women’s power on a global scale. She is amazing.
Major Accessibility Updates Coming to Airports
Travelers with disabilities will have smoother trips at airports, thanks to new federal aviation program updates. The new law requires better training for airline staff assisting wheelchair users; accessibility updates to kiosks, airport apps and websites; universal changing stations, and improved signage at airports. This landmark legislation, championed by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, makes air travel safer and more inclusive, reflecting a significant step forward in protecting the rights and dignity of flyers with disabilities.
Trans Woman Awarded Best Actress at Cannes
Cannes Film Festival made history by awarding Best Actress to Karla Sofía Gascón, the first out transgender woman to win in its 77 years. She starred in Jacques Audiard’s musical crime comedy film “Emilia Pérez,” which is about a Mexican drug lord who comes out as trans. She shared the award with co-stars Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez. This groundbreaking win highlights the power of representation and inclusivity in the film industry. Gascón's emotional acceptance speech was dedicated to “all trans people who suffer so much and must keep faith that change is possible.”
Call to Action:
It’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Remember, Pride started as an act of rebellion, and Pride parades are still forms of protest in many places. Learn about Pride around the world through Outright International. Discover how Pride was celebrated in 100 countries last year and learn some background information on the status of LGBTQ+ inclusion in those countries.