Moments of Curiosity That Lead To Learning and Allyship

“We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.” – George Takei

A few weeks ago, a close friend and I were talking about his plans for Pride Month. Our conversation went on for quite some time, and it sparked an opportunity for me to explore my allyship, my knowledge of the significance of Pride Month for my LGBTQ+ friends, family, and community members, my familiarity of its history, and my overall advocacy and involvement.

As my friend was speaking about the Stonewall Riots, I became increasingly aware that, although I had a basic understanding of the riots, I was not as informed about the consequences of this momentous event in our collective history. It was in this moment that I realized, if I want to be a true ally, I needed to research and explore on my own, outside of the conversation. In my research on the Stonewall riots, I learned so much – from the multiple dimensions and causes of the event, to the deep impact on and loss suffered by the LGBTQ+ community, to the power of our collective purpose and force to ignite change.

I acknowledge that while the month of June commemorates the celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion should be celebrated every day. I share my story to encourage everyone to be curious, to be thoughtful and most importantly, to ask questions and do your own research. This moment with my friend allowed me to discover an important and rich piece of history. The action of educating myself was an important step on the journey to becoming an ally to all members of my community.

For the month of June, OFF THE SHELF is featuring 8 titles that promote a respectful and inclusive workplace for all, that focus on unity and solidarity and on LGBTQ+ leadership, and that celebrate the community’s excellence and many contributions. The collection also includes links to two brief yet powerful YouTube videos to celebrate Pride 2021. These resources are a great opportunity to grow and learn to build our self-awareness and advance our allyship. We all must play an important role in positive change.

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