Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s Post

Be an ally. Be Kind. We ALL have one thing in common, we are all human beings first. Yet, so many different people continue to experience discrimination for a multitude of reasons. Financial wellness in the LBGTQ+ community face unique challenges and setbacks-- we all deserve to have access to financial products and services in an equitable environment. The 2024 LGBTQ+ Financial Wellness Report's key findings are a rude awakening that there is much work to be done for better financial inclusion. *Roughly half (48.15) of LGBTQ+ adults say they are financially unwell, compared to one-quarter (25.7%) of the general public. Both BIPOC and younger (age 18-24) LGBTQ+ adults are even more likely to say they are financially unwell. *Three in ten (30.8%) LGBTQ+ adults say they have experienced discrimination while accessing financial services *Roughly half (48.15) of LGBTQ+ adults say they are financially unwell, compared to one-quarter (25.7%) of the general public. *Nearly 60% (59.7%) of LGTBQ+ adults have annual household incomes below $75,000. "The data underscore the need for our economic empowerment programs, especially for younger BIPOC LGBTQ+ folks. I hope the data are a call to action for organizations serving our community. Given what we know about who is struggling the most, these organizations have an opportunity to center BIPOC young adults by being culturally responsive, trauma informed, and offering voice and choice to young people.” Maruka Rivers, Director of Economic Empowerment Programs at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation How is your credit union being an ally? If not, reach out and get involved.

It was an honor to welcome Outright International to our Washington, DC office for #OutSummit2023. While the LGBTQ+ community continues to see progress and make positive advancements, around the globe, we continue to face persistent and often escalating challenges – and these will potentially escalate in the year ahead. So, convenings like #OutSummit are more important than ever. When we come together in community, exchange ideas and share our stories and insights, we can create transformational solutions to the issues and challenges impacting us most and, together, we can work to make the world a better place for all of us! None of us can do this work alone. And, progress isn't solely measured by corporate policies or legislative victories. It's also about changing hearts and minds, challenging preconceptions, fostering empathy and building a rich network of advocating allies. To do that, we must lock arms with each other and together, we will make truly measurable impact! Partnerships like the one we have with Outright International are a critical enabler to this.

Does #PrideMonth help raise enough awareness about LBGTQ+ issues? 69% of the readers of our publisher Yahoo said ‘No’ and we also agree that waving the rainbow flag just for one month a year is definitely not enough. Is it important to dedicate an entire month to the achievements and challenges of the LGBTQ+ community? Yes. Is it equally important to address these things the rest of the year? Also yes. LGBTQ+ issues go beyond Pride Month. Because as we see in the results of the surveys, the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people are still not a given and in many people’s opinion are once again under threat. It is therefore important to show awareness and support beyond Pride Month. Because in reality, every month is Pride Month.

It was a pleasure to speak at Kearney for their LGBTQ+ History Month event. I enjoyed bringing insights from the research in my new book Queering Normativity and South Asian Public Culture: Wrong Readings Only (2023) to the conversation. Nipun opened by asking about why LGBTQ+ histories are important today especially as we celebrate Pride widely in the workplace and in the UK. It was helpful provocative reminder to reflect on the difficult journey up to this point, but also the long path forward still. While the UK has in the recent past changed quite a few of its laws to make the lives of LGBTQ+ people more equitable, there is still so much work to do here to destigmatize people's lives, to build equitable and inclusive policies drawing on the laws, to resist stereotypes and cultural biases deployed to create divisions between people, especially in relation to women and trans* people, and to continue to work together towards equity for all. It is also important to place LGBTQ+ histories within the context of people's social and cultural background. Many countries are on their own journey in the struggle against the colonial legacy of British laws that remain in their constitutions and have become a part of the cultural fear of differences. LGBTQ+ histories reminds us of the many people who have struggled before us to build a more just place to be ourselves. But these histories give us a chance to place our lives, and the freedoms we enjoy, in context. It marks our responsibility to future generations and the work we still have to do to continue building towards a future where people are free to be in the wholeness of their humanity. My thanks to the team at Kearney for valuing the importance of continuous learning, engaging across so many people's knowledge and expertise, and for the work done by many to set up the conversation. I enjoyed learning from Ethan, Neil, and Nipun. Please continue having these excellent conversations! Image description: Seated on the panel right to left Nipun Dhingra, Ethan Spibey, Neil Griffiths, and J. Daniel Luther with a slide on Normativity and the normal in the background.

What do #diversity and #inclusion have to do with business? 🌈 Besides being a crucial social responsibility, inclusive workplaces benefit from a variety of viewpoints, leading to more informed decisions and a better understanding of diverse customer needs. 🎯 A bonus: When people feel included, they are more engaged, motivated, and loyal. Sounds like a win-win to me! How do you see diversity and inclusion reflected in your workplace? ✨

This #PrideMonth, recruitment experts David Allen and Rose Boyer teamed up with our LGBTQ+ employee resource group Prism to compile a list of four ways you can show up as an ally at work. How are you helping foster acceptance and belonging for all in your workplace? 🌈 #LGBTQally #PrideatWork

This FREE Online Lunch and Learn is PART 2 of our previous Lunch and Learn. It will equip attendees with knowledge and skills to support LGBTQ+ individuals through grief. We will explore unique aspects of LGBTQ+ grief, societal challenges, and minority stress. Effective communication techniques and how to foster inclusive environments will also be discussed. Opportunities for discussion and questions will be provided throughout. REGISTER NOW bit.ly/LGBTQGrievers WATCH PART 1: bit.ly/genderandgrief #miamicbc #liftfromloss #lunchandlearn #LGBTQGrief #GriefSupport #Griefsupportforall 

Today, Ari Shaw, Ph.D. represented The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law on a panel at the Milken Institute Global Conferenece on The Role of Companies for LGBTQ+ Rights. We are beyond grateful to Briland Graves, Brian Patrick Fano Carandang, and Richard Ditizio for making this important conversation come to life. “In the United States alone, nearly 14 million adults identify as LGBTQ+. The LGBTQ+ community currently wields $1 trillion in spending power—a metric that is only expected to grow. As the community becomes increasingly represented in employee and consumer bases alike, what role should corporations play in LGBTQ+ rights? How does it inform how and when companies make business decisions?” You can watch the whole panel here: https://lnkd.in/gBnrUVS6 #MIGLOBAL

Join us for a webinar on June 6 featuring our own Jesse Beck and Susan Potter, alongside Brian Richardson of StartOut to discuss the strategies used to tackle organisational challenges in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and how businesses can boost their performance by focusing on the community. #Pride #FutureofWork #EmployeeExperience

Happy Pride Month!! As a labor union that represents over 1,500 members, SLOCEA is committed to supporting & advocating for each of them, including those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. To learn more about the labor movement’s connection to the LGBTQ+ community, check out the article on our blog written by SLOCEA labor rep, Brooke Daphne!