Learn. Connect. Grow. Issue 22.
WE CREATE SPACE
A Community-Led Learning Platform, Consultancy and Network of Leaders driving Social Innovation.
?? Intersectional Resources for creating Queer Inclusive Work Spaces. ??
Welcome back to another issue of “Learn. Connect. Grow.”
Our feature article this week shares the key learnings and take-aways from our recent community dialogue session, which created a safe space for QTIPOC and allies to discuss the mental health impacts of far-right violence and rhetoric. It’s full of practical advice from our facilitators, so make sure you check it out!
World Mental Health Day is just around the corner, so we’re also sharing an additional article exploring mental health barriers facing LGBTQ+ employees, with solutions you can implement in your business.
Keep scrolling for invites to our first Queer Speed Networking events online and in London, our Queer Living webinar series, resources on LGBTQ+ migrant and refugee experiences and our new report on the Business Case for DEI in 2024!
Wishing you a lovely rest of your week,
Michael Stephens?(he/they)
Founder of We Create Space
WCS FEATURE:
Creating Safe Spaces for QTIPOC Dialogue.
Inclusion tips and insights from our first community dialogue session.
“In moments of crisis and urgency, give yourself permission to remember your long term plans and commitments towards change. Be it through the work you are involved in or the support you give to others. Change is a long term journey. Our daily efforts towards a bigger plan are still valid in moments of crisis.” - ora ?zer , WCS Programming Director
WCS FEATURE:
Mental Health & High Performance Cultures.
In the run up to World Mental Health Day, we’re considering the unique mental health challenges facing LGBTQ+ employees.
“Those who have power to impact policy and practice within the organization should be utilizing their wellness services and prioritizing their own care to model and make the culture of the organization for those with less influence; and to make themselves aware of barriers that anyone seeking access to those resources might find.” - Obella Obbo
WCS INSIGHTS:
Insights from our recent Community Check-In.
We regularly check-in with our global community of LGBTQ+ and DEI professionals so that we can identify areas for organisational improvement and development, but also to get a better sense of the most pressing issues facing our community.
With so many of our community concerned about rising bigotry and hatred, we all need to be doing our part to educate and stamp out ignorance. If you need help conducting your own survey, collecting meaningful data to build a DEI strategy for your business, or facilitating an impactful training programme to empower your employees with marginalised identities - get in contact at [email protected] ??
WCS EVENTS: ONLINE
Global Queer Speed Networking.
Join us this afternoon for our first online networking event!
We’re bringing our popular Queer Speed Networking event to a new online format so even more Queer Professionals can join and connect!
We’ll be joined for this event by guest speaker Awo Dufie , a transgender and intersex researcher, writer and activist from Ghana. As a researcher, Awo's work explore the history of the LGBTIQ community in Ghana and Africa. As an activist, she works to advocate for LGBTIQ elders through her project- Queer Elders Speak- a series where she interviews and documents the lived experiences of LGBTIQ elders in Africa.
Join us for our first session on Tuesday 24th September 4PM BST | 5PM CET!
WCS INSIGHTS REPORT:
We revisit the Business Case for DEI in 2024.
Is DEI over? We set the record straight with new powerful evidence.
With budget cuts, increased leadership pushback, “DEI-exhaustion”, contentious election cycles and continuous negative far-right rhetoric - it can feel like an uphill battle working towards achieving any of our company’s inclusion goals right now. Our new report equips you with arguments and material evidence to support your company’s DEI journey.
WCS TESTIMONIALS:
WCS x Scopely.
With US LGBTQ+ History Month just around the corner, we've been reminiscing on an amazing session we held with Scopely earlier this year on LGBTQ+ Allyship in the Workplace. Speakers Jude Guaitamacchi and Kari Serrano created a space for our audience to self-reflect and ask difficult questions of themselves, considering their own relationships to power and privilege and how to embark upon the allyship continuum.
To book a similar session. enquire at [email protected] ??
WCS EVENTS: LONDON
Queer Speed Networking is coming to London!
Our popular Queer Speed Networking event is finally coming to London on Wednesday 9th October!
Join us at Mama Shelter for an informal evening of speed-networking and making new connections. Whether you're an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur, artist, professional, or simply looking to expand your social circle here in London, we hope you leave having met some exciting new people!
WCS EVENTS: ONLINE
‘Queer Living’ Webinars.
Last week we kicked off our ‘Queer Living’ webinar series, where we’re exploring the realities of Queer life through an intersectional lens, diving into the issues at the heart of our community. If you missed the first session, you can catch up with the full recording above!
Make sure to sign up for the rest of the sessions and Join us for real lived experiences, powerful conversation and to have your burning questions answered by our speakers!
?? Queerness & Bodily Autonomy | 1st October
Guest speakers: Dee Whitnell & Doug A. Graffeo
?? Queerness, Finance & Mental Health | 15th October
Guest speakers: Travers Johnson & Jamie Lowe ??????????
?? Queerness & Access to Healthcare | 29th October
Guest speakers: Eva Echo & Coda Nicolaeff
???????? Queerness, Employment & Careers | 12th November
Guest speakers: Lucia Blakely & Jon-Paul Vicari (He/Him)
?? Queerness & Nature | 26th November
Guest speakers: Santo Tripodi & ora ?zer
?? Queerness & Chosen Families | 10th December
Guest speakers: Saba Ali FRSA & Neil Hudson-Basing
WCS SPEAKER SHOWCASE:
Our Collective.
The We Create Space Collective is constantly growing and features 300+ speakers from a variety of backgrounds, all of whom are ready to enrich and inspire you with their stories and perspectives. From seasoned corporate voices to fresh grass-roots perspectives, we can match you with the perfect speaker for your needs.
Email [email protected] to book a speaker. ??
Featuring: Doug A. Graffeo , Hannah Nishat Botero , Sebastian D. , Sharon Ehrlich , Andre Johnsen , Mercedes Jenkins , Allan K. , River Coello and Sara Alvarez .
WCS REMINDER:
Our Resources.
Our website is packed full of free articles, webinars, think-pieces and podcast episodes to educate and inspire you on a wide range of topics related to DEI, LGBTQ+ issues, workplace allyship and more. Resources for Pride, and Beyond.
Queer Migrant and Refugee Status.
Carlos Idibouo, Nour Mfjarrouj and Aditya Sinha discuss how Queerness intersects with migrant and refugee experiences, inclusive recruitment, addressing stigma and moving beyond ‘awareness’.
How to interrupt Microaggressions in the Workplace.
Microaggressions negatively impact our workplaces every day, but we can all contribute to eradicating them. Take action by following these five powerful steps.
Queer Journeys: David Kam.
Movement facilitator David Kam shares his story of growing up in Malaysia, where homosexuality is still illegal, and moving to the UK to study where he has navigated the challenge of aligning his cultural identity and Queerness.