The History & Meaning of the Pride Flag

Many of us have seen the vibrant rainbow flag adorn pride parade banners and gay bars. Openly gay politician Harvey Milk emphasized the importance of the representation and appreciation of LGBTQ individuals and commissioned this pride flag from an artist named Gilbert Baker. Created in 1978, this rainbow symbol flies over iconic landmarks like the Stonewall Inn and many other celebrations of queerness. Much like the LGBTQ community, this flag’s meanings are rich and diverse. Here, we will discuss the symbolism of each stripe on the traditional pride flag as well as introduce a few inclusive redesigns of this icon. 

Originally made with eight stripes, Baker soon modified the pride flag to showcase six brilliant colors of the rainbow. Each section stands for an integral part of the gay community. Firstly, red symbolizes life for LGBTQ individuals. Like the blood which flows through each of our veins, this color ties the community together and illustrates our similarities. Orange stands for healing, a difficult process many queer individuals must go through due to widespread homophobia and discrimination. Whether rising up from internal struggles or assisting others with coming out, this experience is felt by many LGBTQ members. According to Baker, the yellow stripe depicts the warm rays of sunlight. This area of the flag is meant to inspire us as the sun symbolizes light and hope for a better future. Similarly, green stands for nature. Same-sex attraction is found in over 1,000 animal species, highlighting the natural roots of the gay community (Imperial). The blue or turquoise in this flag may represent the importance of art or signify growing harmony. These colors demonstrate the strong voices of the LGBTQ+rising up against hatred and bearing their hearts through music, theater, and traditional art. Finally, the royal purple showcases the determined spirit of the queer community. While this groups has felt countless hardships and open discrimination, a shared soul supported by family, friends, and allies allows LGBTQ+ individuals to continue to thrive. These six stripes come together as a strong symbol for the gay community and their place in the world. 

In 2017, the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs shared a new pride flag that incorporates the colors black and brown. These additional stripes illustrate the diversity of the gay community, paying homage to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Still incorporating the original six colors of the pride flag, this symbol serves as a reminder of the unique experiences faced by LGBTQ+ BIPOC. Through this flag, we can show our support for both the gay community and recognize the important role that people of color have played in the pride movement. 

Even more recently, an updated version of the Pride flag was unveiled by an Oregon-based artist named Daniel Quasar. This symbol contains both the original six pride colors alongside the black and brown stripes introduced in 2017. The newest addition are the three white, pink, and blue fields which highlight transgender individuals. This flag emphasizes the importance of transgender men and women within the LGBTQ community and provides them with a unique space on the pride flag. 

No matter which flag you choose to fly this June, it is integral to understand the meanings behind these colorful stripes. As we learn more about the gay community, we become better allies, supporters, and friends to our LGBTQ+ coworkers and employees. Take this opportunity to grow alongside me in knowledge and compassion during pride month.

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Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company. Her mission is providing guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within their organization. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. For more information, visit DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.

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Team Activities for Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth is quickly approaching. This African-American holiday falls on June 19th and celebrates the full emancipation of slaves in the United States. This day is incredibly important as it marked a turning point from bondage to freedom. Each year, we observe this date as a time for growth, and empathy for the Black community. To honor and learn more about our African-American friends, coworkers, and leaders, here are four in-person and virtual Juneteenth office events. 

Juneteenth Volunteer Day

One of the most powerful things we can do for minority communities is give back. Research African-American focused organizations in your area and plan a day of service! If possible, we can give our employees the day off to fully dedicate their time to these initiatives. Since Juneteenth 2021 falls on a Saturday, consider planning a volunteering weekend outing. These hours will serve as important bonding time for staff while also emphasizing the importance of Black employees, team members, and customers. A few national non-profits to check out are Black Girls Code, Black Male Voter Project, and Black Women for Wellness. In addition to these groups, search for local initiatives that assist underserved African-Americans in the area. Through this event, we celebrate the main mission of Juneteenth by uplifting the lives of Black individuals. 

Virtual Atlanta History Center Event

For a remote or in-person office, a wonderful virtual event is the Atlanta History Center Juneteenth celebration. Much more than your average Zoom meeting, this 20 day long experience is packed with engaging talks from Black historians, guided tours of current museum exhibits, and African-American cultural displays. Either isolate a few interesting topics or share the entire calendar with team members to encourage active learning and curiosity about Juneteenth. This activity is perfect for a busy office with multiple opportunities to participate and various themes. Check-in with your team as the event comes to a close to openly discuss their new perspectives, growth, and understanding. 

Movie Lunch and Learn

Interested in a more relaxed event? Consider hosting a movie lunch and learn. During employees’ lunch breaks, schedule a screening of an African-American film or television sereies like PBS’s “Juneteenth Jamboree” or blackish’s Juneteenth episode. With stunning visuals and compelling stories, these engaging pieces of media will draw employees in, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of Black lives and the importance of June 19th. To take this activity to the next level, consider hosting a panel with African-American employees after the film. This initiative gives members a chance to open their hearts to the messages of their peers, growing closer, and improving their communication, empathy, and teamwork skills. We can also put together a list of open-ended discussion questions for the movie audience to go through after their viewing. By inciting a safe and welcoming conversation, we take the first steps towards creating an inclusive workplace. 

Online Smithsonian Tour

Finally, for a historical journey through Black history, try out this virtual tour of the Smithsonian National Museum. Led by the museum’s African-American History and Culture’s founding director, Lonnie Bunch III, this in-depth video details the history of slavery and emancipation within the United States. More than simply a celebration of Juneteenth, the video details the harrowing oppression endured by African-Americans and emphasizes the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Slavery and Freedom exhibit does a wonderful job of showcasing the difficult history of Black individuals while also exhaulting in the advancements of liberation, voting rights, and the march towards equality. This is an impactful experience for each and every viewer as we learn more about the history of our African-American coworkers and leaders. 

No matter how we celebrate Juneteenth, our central mission should revolve around introspective growth, increased compassion, and opening our eyes to new perspectives. Whether virtually or in-person, our teams will become stronger and closer through these activities, open discussions, and learning experiences. I hope everyone has a lovely time celebrating this June 19th and honoring the history of African-Americans. 

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Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company. Her mission is providing guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within their organization. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. For more information, visit DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.

Team Activities for Celebrating PRIDE Month

From national parades to drag nights, there is no shortage of events for Pride month. But how do we ensure that Pride-themed activities are accessible to team members and ensure that our workplace can become a more inclusive place during June? The answer is hosting company-wide events that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community! This blog has four fun, engaging, and informative ideas for both virtual and in-person events for 2021 Pride. Through these activities, we continue our work of understanding and supporting our LGBTQ+ coworkers with pride. 

Integrate small Pride-themed activities 

The first way to show our support of the gay community is through small but meaningful actions. Encourage team members to change their Zoom backgrounds to Pride-themed screensavers, showing their support at daily meetings. Host small Pride month trivia or bingo competitions and give prizes to the most dedicated employees. On Fridays, consider screening an LGBTQ+ movie during lunch break and holding open and moderated discussions on the characters, relationships, and themes. While these events are relatively small and low-effort, they combine to create an avalanche of support our LGBTQ+ employees. Through these activities, we show our commitment to creating a safe space and growing more self-aware during Pride month. 

Host a viewing party of “Global Pride” 

While attending local Pride parades may still be a challenge due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remote teams, virtual events are here to help! Consider hosting a viewing party of the Global Pride parade, packed with color, love, and fun. This international experience displays various celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community from around the world, incorporating an added layer of diversity and inclusion. For something more local, research whether surrounding cities are streaming their annual Pride parades. For example, Seattle Pride is hosting a live event showcasing its parade festivities and featuring local gay voices. These virtual viewings are a great way to excite team members and inspire a connection with the LGBTQ community. 

Volunteer for an LGBTQ+ organization

For a community-focused activity, consider giving back to local LGBTQ+ non-profits. Research nearby transgender homeless shelters or safe-space organizations for gay youth. By organizing a company-wide volunteer effort, we shower our LGBTQ neighbors with support, assistance, and love. If scheduling a day of service proves difficult, consider volunteering virtually through the Trevor Project. This organization provides counseling and help to in-need LGBTQ youth. Finally, our teams can put our money to work by donating to Pride-focused small businesses, non-profits, and in-need individuals. By actively dedicating our time and money to the gay community, we demonstrate our support, grow closer as a team, and uplift minority voices. 

Digital Dates with a Drag Queen

Last but certainly not least are digital dates with a Drag Queen. While late-night drag shows may be a bit overwhelming for office culture, virtual Drag Brunches have stepped into the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a whimsical example, check out this Mother’s Day Drag Brunch on Facebook! These events focus on local and national talents as they dance their way through catchy pop tunes and chat with the audience. Try to contact local drag queens and schedule a virtual or in-person meeting for the office to celebrate and partake in this essential element of LGBTQ+ culture. 

Through these events, we both celebrate and engage with the LGBTQ+ community during Pride. It is integral to utilize this month as a concentrated period of learning, introspection, and compassion. However, we must continue to support our LGBTQ+ friends, coworkers, and customers throughout the year. Through this commitment to inclusion, we can create a safe, welcoming, and diverse workplace for the long run!

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Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company. Her mission is providing guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within their organization. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. For more information, visit DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.

Learn 15 out of the 50+ Different Gender Identities

In 2014, Facebook updated its user platform to account for over 50 options for gender identities (ABC News). Recently, this number has continued to expand and grow as more and more individuals come out and showcase their unique genders. Here, we will cover fifteen essential terms and concepts related to different gender identities in the hopes of expanding our understanding and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.  

• Agender: an individual who does not identify with any gender (male or female)

• Androgyne: an individual who identifies with both masculine and feminine gender roles or falls in between male and female

• Bigender: an individual who identifies with multiple genders

• Butch: a female who expresses masculinity, often used in the lesbian community

• Cisgender: an individual whose gender identity is the sex that they were assigned at birth

• Gender Expansive: an individual who may not fall into any gender category and combines roles, expressions, and identities from multiple genders

• Gender-fluid: an individual who moves in between or outside of the current expectations for gender

• Gender Outlaw: an individual who refutes societal definitions of male or female

• Genderqueer: an individual who expresses their gender identity through a combination of genders or outside of current gender guidelines

• Masculine or Feminine of Center: an individual who leans towards masculine or feminine performances and experiences

• Non-binary: an individual who does not fall within the gender binary and may identify with multiple genders or be gender non-conforming

• Omnigender: an individual who experiences or identifies with all genders

• Polygender: an individual who displays different parts of various genders

• Transgender: an individual who identifies with a different gender than assigned at birth

• Two-Spirit: an Indigenous individual who expresses different sexualities and genders which encompass both the masculine and feminine range

Simply learning about these different terms elevates our understanding and appreciation for the LGBTQ+ community. Through open curiosity and courageous actions, we can forge the way for an inclusive workforce, equal rights, and widespread acceptance for different genders and sexual orientations. 

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Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company. Her mission is providing guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within their organization. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. For more information, visit DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.

Why are Pronouns Important?

In many languages, including English, pronouns are words that replace nouns. There are many types of pronouns, from demonstrative to interrogative to indirect. This blog will discuss the usage of personal pronouns to create an inclusive, welcoming, and open workplace. When we refer to people without using their names, we use personal gendered pronouns like he, she, and they. These words are especially important to the LBGTQ+ community as trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals may feel excluded due to incorrect pronouns. Using the correct pronouns fosters a sense of trust and respect which affirms a person’s gender identity. 

While these little words may not seem like much, pronouns are a vital way to create an inclusive environment. Many of us may identify with the gender and pronouns assigned at birth, but others may use different identifiers. For example, a transgender man will often use he/him pronouns to reinforce his gender identity. Keep in mind that we don’t necessarily know a person’s pronouns by looking at them. Different people may identify as non-binary and use they/them pronouns instead of the gendered her or his. If allies are unsure about which terms to use, the best practice is to politely ask individuals what they prefer to be called. When first meeting new coworkers, make an effort to share pronouns as a normal part of the conversation. Once we know how different individuals identify, we must do our best to remember their pronouns and use them in conversations. By being considerate and courageous in our actions, we show our respect for diverse coworkers and ensure that they feel welcomed in the workplace.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of gender pronouns: 

While words like they and he may be familiar to us, there are also neo pronouns like ze and ve, which may be less commonplace. Oftentimes these newer terms are used by gender non-conforming or genderqueer individuals who resist current labeling or categorization. Regardless, these pronouns are just as valid, and we must try our best to incorporate this new vocabulary into our lexicons. 

Cisgender allies, individuals who identify as the gender they were assigned at birth, should do their best to understand and appreciate the nuances of gender non-conforming and neo pronouns. Stereotypical gendered language is pervasive in the workplace, and it’s our job to take the first steps towards inclusion. Instead of starting meetings by saying, “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” consider using phrases like, “Good morning, everyone!” With these small changes, we can make gender non-conforming individuals more comfortable in our offices. Additionally, we must do our best to avoid misgendering our LGBTQ+ coworkers. Sometimes mistakes happen, and an incorrect pronoun may slip out in conversation. When this occurs, quickly correct yourself and apologize if you have offended the individual. Our role as allies is to support and value the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community by respecting their pronouns and gender identity. Through these courageous actions, we inspire positive change and an uptake in inclusion.

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Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company. Her mission is providing guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within their organization. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. For more information, visit DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.