It has been more than 15 years since my last conversation with my family and it still feels like a sensitive subject. I don’t think I’ve ever written about it publicly before. After lots of therapy, I think I’m ready.

Workplace allyship for leaders is an active verb, not just an identity. To support LGBTQIA+ employees, leaders must leverage structural influence to set inclusive tones, establish gender-affirming policies, correct misgendering errors gracefully, and actively design psychologically safe corporate environments where diversity thrives openly.

The story of my first pride parade.

Workplace allyship is an active verb, not just an identity. To support LGBTQIA+ teammates peer-to-peer, allies must respect identity in all contexts, practice everyday respect without needing an audience, correct pronoun mistakes gently, and proactively offer to practice a coworker’s new name before it becomes official.