Wellness Wednesday tip: Being a better ally during Pride Month

When it comes to inclusion, allyship is only the first step! Being truly inclusive means cultivating an environment where all are equal and feel valued.

Those who identify as LGBTQ+ may struggle with how to maintain or navigate their identity in a hetero-normative work environment. As an ally, promoting the wellness of your colleagues can be simple. Creating new workplace norms and small gestures of support can go a long way. We can do this together by …..

Including your pronouns

Whether you identify as LGBTQ+, or are a LGBTQ+ ally, adding your pronouns to your email signature can help normalize the practice of sharing preferred pronouns.

Educate yourself and take advantage of LGBTQ+ training and resources

There is a plethora of resources available to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and how to be more inclusive. Remember people are individuals, so individual preferences will vary, but respect and support is universal to all people.

Take time to learn about the challenges that the LGBTQ+ community faces to prevent unintended offense or harm.

The University of Michigan Spectrum Center is a great place to receive group or unit training about the LGBTQ+ community, preferred pronouns and allyship.

The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion hosts a variety of trainings and conversations throughout the year aimed at allyship and inclusion.

The Community Health Access Initiative has free training on inclusive care aimed at combating gaps in knowledge, stereotypes and misinformation about the LGBTQ+ community.

Join a LGBTQ+ support group 

U-M and Michigan Medicine has LBGTQ+ ally friendly support groups that can be accessed both in person and virtually. Participation in support and social groups may allow you the opportunity to brainstorm new inclusive measures that need to be taken – both individually and department/ organizationwide.

The Office for Health Equity and Inclusion has an LGBTQ+ Resource Group. For more information, email: medicinedei@med.umich.edu

The Spectrum center has a peer-led support group.

Please visit the Spectrum Center for a full list of social and support services.