5 Things / Stories and Data
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This is not the first time my business has been negatively impacted by the political climate. I learned some things the first time, so I’m hosting a free workshop to share these lessons and empower you to speak confidently about DEI. Please register and forward this opportunity to anyone you think may be interested. The replay will be available to registrants if you can’t attend live.
I started my first business in 2004 when marriage equality came to Massachusetts. My business was as an LGBTQ wedding planner/advocate for my clients. At the time our then-Governor Mitt Romney said he did not want Massachusetts to become “the Las Vegas of gay marriage” and began enforcing a racist 1913 law that banned out-of-state residents from getting married in Massachusetts if it would be illegal in their home state.
Nevertheless, I worked with couples from all over the U.S. who came to Massachusetts. I found one City Clerk an hour outside of Boston who would grant these licenses, 1913 law be damned. I’d take these couples on a little road trip and we’d bond and have lunch and I’d hear their stories. Reflecting on it now, we were rebels.
After the wedding, they’d head back to their home state with no marriage rights in their state or federally. It was years before other states and the federal government started to catch up to Massachusetts, but the battle for marriage equality was constantly in the news. Everything was in flux for years. One after another, states started passing constitutional amendments declaring that marriage was between one man and one woman. Voters were asked to vote on equality at the ballot box. It was disgusting and dehumanizing.
And it was exhausting. It was exhausting knowing my business – and my rights – were at the whim of politicians and voters. I had my first grey hair by 30!
In 2008, I expanded my business and began speaking and writing to educate other wedding, hospitality, and travel professionals on inclusion. The sessions were promoted by making the business case for LGBTQ weddings. I wanted to get people in the door. But I started each talk by sharing how LGBTQ couples were impacted by the lack of protections and uncertainty about the legality of their marriages. I told stories about my clients’ experiences and fears which impacted their wedding planning.
In taking this approach with both stories and data, I built empathy and an army full of wedding and travel industry allies and advocates ready to authentically advocate for equality. Many thousands learned why it was good for business and good for society.
In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had to provide equal spousal benefits to same-sex couples. Two years later, it ruled that states without marriage equality nonetheless had to recognize same-sex marriages as equal. This effectively legalized same-sex marriages nationwide.
These few weeks have me thinking back to those years when all we wanted were equal rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution, and a fair shot at a stable life. Back then, we succeeded because of an army full of allies – and some amazing attorneys. We have more of those than ever. Still, the stakes feel higher this time, as it’s not just marriage that’s for debate, but a more basic human right for body autonomy.
We’re going to need stories to get through this. Stories show our humanity. They prompt reflection. They lead to empathy. Stories shine a light.
What’s your story?
Please join me for a special, free one-hour session of my workshop, Walk This Way, designed to empower you during a time when DEI is under attack. Normally a three-hour deep-dive for leaders, this abridged version is open to everyone looking to confidently defend DEI. Walk away ready to transform good intentions into meaningful influence—even when facing anti-diversity challenges. Please forward this on to anyone you think may be interested.
This Week’s Good Vibes:
Equality Wins for Families and Workers
A Spanish court has ruled that single parents deserve the same 32 weeks of parental leave as two-parent households, recognizing the equal caregiving demands across different family structures. This is expected to become law and could improve life for 1.9 million single-parent households in Spain. Countries like Australia and Sweden already have similar policies, though the U.S. lags behind. On a related front, Spain now mandates workplace protections for LGBTQ workers under new regulations, ensuring equal benefits and zero tolerance for discrimination. ♐Advocate for equal leave policies no matter the family structure.
Beyoncé Breaks Country Music Ceiling
At the 67th Grammy Awards, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album, a historic achievement in a genre long criticized for its lack of diversity. Country music has often marginalized non-white artists, making this moment significant not just for Beyoncé but for greater representation in the genre. Her emotional acceptance speech highlighted the struggles artists face in breaking through industry-imposed boundaries. ♐ There are still many firsts to be had…challenge systemic barriers in your industry and you could become a first.
Goodell Holds the Line on Diversity
As DEI policies face political pushback, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reaffirmed the league’s commitment to inclusive hiring. Despite scrutiny of the Rooney Rule, which mandates interviews for minority candidates, Goodell emphasized the importance of widening talent pipelines. Goodell cited ongoing feedback and rule adjustments as proof of the NFL's dedication to continuous improvement in the process. He also noted that while corporate sponsors may change policies, the league’s DEI efforts remain non-negotiable. ♐ Keep refining processes and engaging stakeholders for sustained progress.
Disability Advocates Drive Uber Change
After years of complaints about ride denials for passengers with service animals, Uber launched a new self-ID feature to combat discrimination. Over two years, organizations like The Seeing Eye collaborated with Uber to design a system that notifies drivers of a passenger’s service animal and enforces accountability if a trip is canceled unlawfully. Advocates believe this step will improve access, prevent denials, and generate data to address discrimination across the platform. ♐For Us, By Us – use external partners within marginalized communities to improve accessibility and inclusion for
First-of-Its-Kinda Hospital Redefines Disability Care
The Center for Discovery’s Children’s Specialty Hospital in Rock Hill, New York, is a groundbreaking facility uniquely designed for children with complex disabilities, including autism and medical co-occurrences. It's the only hospital of its kind in the state, offering up to six months of comprehensive care that integrates medical, behavioral, and therapeutic services with sensory rooms, therapeutic gardens, and caregiver training. This rare holistic approach aims to keep children with disabilities at home and thriving, rather than in long-term residential placements. ♐Investing in specialized, integrative care models can significantly improve outcomes for vulnerable populations, reducing long-term dependency and improving community well-being.
Good Vibes to Go (look at the DEI Hub Slack for resources):
It’s Black History Month! Buy Black by shopping for a beautiful variety of products from tons of merchants. Buy Black’s mission is “To drive traffic and revenue to Black-owned businesses in order to close the revenue disparity gap between Black-owned businesses and their non-Black counterparts.