Targeted AND Privileged: The Importance of Examining Whiteness within the LGBT Community 

Targeted AND Privileged: The Importance of Examining Whiteness within the LGBT Community

July 5^th, 2011, Part I and July 12^th Part II

Presented for O&E by Laurie B. Lippin & Stephanie Puentes of Equity Action, LLC

 How can an understanding about White social identity assist in addressing LGBT issues in workplace settings?  In this course we will examine the intersection of race and ethnicity with sexual orientation and gender identity. Some LGBT employees may be unconscious of the privilege they carry even as members of a targeted group. Unintentional and unacknowledged privilege can result in behavior that marginalizes others and persistent attention to majority group concerns in the workplace may alienate minority groups and fragment the community. By working on diversity issues within the LGBT community we strengthen our teams and organizations. Attention to this topic can lead to increased participation in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and aid in recruitment and retention helping to create a more inclusive and effective workplace.

 Of benefit to managers, ERG leaders, and Human Resources personnel, this course will interest anyone seeking to improve the diversity and inclusion of their organization. This webinar uses content from the popular Out & Equal Summit workshop of the same title to reach a larger audience. We will present useful information, engage with you in discussion, conduct a number of instant polls on key questions, and even conduct some experiential activity.

 Join us for Part I of this webinar at 11:30am on July 5^th to:

• examine our own socialization, and the messages we receive
• recognize the multiplicity and intersectionality of the social identities we carry
• understand where we hold privilege, even as a group targeted for oppression

Join us for Part II of this webinar at 11:30am on July 12^th to:

• examine the downside of holding privilege and what it costs us as a community
• learn about microcaggressions that manifest in commonplace everyday interactions, resulting in wounds that keep us divided as a community 
• gain tools to help create more inclusive organizations to aid in the recruitment and retention of a more diverse workforce