Increasing LGBTQ Inclusion at Work with Elena Joy Thurston

For this week’s Inspirational Leadership Podcast I spoke with Elena Joy Thurston. Elena is an inspirational LGBTQ speaker, trainer, and founder of the nonprofit Pride and Joy Foundation – which is dedicated to reducing the rate of suicide and homelessness in the LGBTQ community. A Mormon mom of four who lost her marriage, her church, and her community when she came out as a lesbian, Elena’s viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy has been viewed 40,000+ times and landed her media and speaking opportunities with ABC, CBS, FOX, Boston’s First Event, Seacoast Wellness Series, and THRIVE.

Here are some of the topics we discussed:

  • What it means to radically acknowledge reality and why it’s important when it comes to change
  • Generational differences when it comes to gender identity
  • Why workplaces are going to change drastically over the next 5-10 years
  • The difference between being an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ community
  • Checking in with where your company is at on the allyship journey
  • Why shame never helps anyone learn and what to do instead
  • How emotional intelligence contributes to more courageous conversations at work
  • Remembering it’s not about trying to make the workplace perfect, it’s about making it safe
  • Understanding that the more we empower people with knowledge, the more inclusive they become

Listen to the podcast here:

Watch the video here:

Show Notes

Connect with Elena on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter

Quiz: Evaluating Your Inclusive Leadership

Learn more about Pride and Joy Foundation

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