5 Things / welcome Elliot
This week, Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page came out as transgender, using the pronouns he/they. Elliot is best known for the films Juno, Inception, and the X-Men, and the current Netflix series the Umbrella Academy. I’ve been a huge fan for years.
One of the coolest things I noticed about the coverage is the journalists got Elliot's pronouns right in every article I read. Except to provide some context, Elliot wasn't "dead-named" in the articles I read. Even most of the headlines left out Elliot's former name.
I later learned that Netflix immediately tweeted their support and announced they couldn’t wait to see him in Season 3 of Umbrella Academy. They also updated all of their credits and metadata to reflect Elliot.
Elliott’s coverage is a mini case study of how to support a trans person. Yes, it’s news because Elliot is a celebrity, but there was no sensationalism, no drama, in mainstream media. In essence, Elliot’s coming out was just another news story.
If all those journalists and Netflix can get this right so quickly, then you can, too.
Here are the good vibes I found this week:
Macy's became the largest retailer to join the 15% pledge, committing 15% of their shelf-space to Black-owned brands. The pledge ensures that Black businesses have expanded, equitable access to customers. This matters because it will reduce the racial wealth gap.
Lynn Conway was an innovative computer scientist at IBM when she was fired in 1968 after coming out as transgender. The job loss turned her life upside down. In October, 52 years later, IBM genuinely apologized, acknowledged her legacy at the company and awarded her a Lifetime Achievement Award. This matters because it sets a great example of corporate vulnerability. It matters in particular to LGBTQ employees at IBM.
Scotland became the first country this week to provide free period supplies to those who menstruate. And I learned that South Korea and Japan have required companies to offer period leave for decades. This matters because periods can be debilitating for some people -- and the cost of products can be out of reach for others. Formalized policies can de-stigmatize this.
Unilever (one of the world's most inclusive companies) is testing a 4 day workweek in New Zealand for the next year. If it's as successful as Microsoft and others have found, they'll roll it out company-wide. This matters because it allows employees to have a more balanced life and can be a particularly huge benefit for caregivers.
Finally, are you planning your 2021 DEI strategy? Reply to this email to connect about how we can help.
Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-
All the best,
Image: PsyPost