D&I2503. From Exclusion to Empowerment: Elevating Voices and Building Together
Engage is taking place during Pride Month, a perfect opportunity to highlight the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals—an often underrepresented group in Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) conversations. Although progress has been made, many LGBTQ+ individuals in the accounting profession have historically had limited opportunities to share their experiences.
We understand that discussing personal stories in a public setting can be challenging. Concerns about privacy, professional consequences, or making others uncomfortable are real, and sometimes individuals may not even feel comfortable being open with their closest friends and family. Our goal in this session is to help you create an environment where everyone feels supported and safe, whether you’re sharing your own story or listening to others'.
By being open to hearing the experiences of LGBTQ+ colleagues and clients, we can foster deeper understanding and build stronger, more inclusive professional relationships. Together, we can ensure that all voices are heard and respected in the workplace.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify how current D&I initiatives can be expanded or enhanced to ensure they are inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals, alongside efforts focused on gender, racial issues, and other aspects of marginalized communities.
- Recognize intersectionality, internal bias, and majority privilege and how they play in LGBTQ+ exclusion.
- Recognize actionable strategies to broaden D&I efforts to be more inclusive of all minority groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, and practical tools and approaches to create a more supportive and equitable workplace for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Recall tips on how to navigate communicating with coworkers and clients who are in the LGBTQ+ community by listening to stories and experiences.
