Open Doors: LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace
Overview of Content
Introduction to LGBTQ+ terminology, using the Four Pillars of Identity model.
The Four Pillars of Identity tool provides an introduction to the core concepts that undergird LGBTQ+ identities. The Four Pillars of Identity are: assigned sex at birth, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Understanding these principles helps learners grasp the more advanced allyship actions offered in the remainder of the session.
Learners will gain an understanding of the unique barriers faced by LGBTQ+ employees across professional sectors, with unique content created to illustrate sector-specific challenges and opportunities. In other words, when this training is offered for tech companies, it will cover the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ tech employees. When the training is offered for universities, it will cover LGBTQ+ students and employees in a higher ed environment.
This section will conclude with an interactive discussion about common words and phrases that are used in person and online, answering questions about misuse or misunderstandings of this terminology.
A Deeper Dive into Transgender Awareness, using the Retrain Your Brain model.
Session attendees will learn the importance of respectful pronoun use in the workplace, including details on relevant legal requirements around chosen names and pronouns.
The Retrain Your Brain tool is a professional, evidence-based model for mastering the usage of gender-inclusive language in the workplace. Learners will learn and practice the three steps, solidifying the practice and making it easy to continue improving this skill over time.
This section will conclude with the Cultural Humility framework, used to rebuild trust after a mistake around names or pronouns is made.
Putting it into Practice, specific opportunities to be supportive.
The session will end with concrete tools and skills that can be utilized by staff at all levels as they work to provide supportive services to LGBTQ+ customers and stellar allyship to LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Collaborate Consulting description:
Collaborate Consulting is an S-Corporation based out of Portland, Oregon. Its founder, Trystan Reese, has been fighting on the front lines of LGBTQ+ social justice since 2001. The firm uses an intersectional approach to inclusion consulting, teaching the core principles of working across lines of difference and applying those evidence-based approaches to many identities.
Collaborate Consulting roots all of its work in the science of behavior and belief change, which teaches that joy is the most powerful tool for transformation. Trystan brings levity and authenticity to every aspect of his work, which means learners find his approach both transformational and accessible.
Collaborate Consulting’s unfair advantage is our developmental approach, which starts with the foundation that every individual, team, and organization has a unique understanding of inclusion issues. We are dedicated to meeting you where you are and providing the right content at the right time… so no one gets left behind.
Past Partners (specific references available upon request):
Bonneville Power Association. A federal agency with staff spread across the Pacific Northwest, BPA oversees the delivery of hydropower to thousands of homes in the region. Our partnership with BPA has been on-going since 2020; we have delivered training on allyship in the workplace and transgender inclusion. These sessions have been offered to employees quarterly, receiving highly positive feedback each time. Employees provided the following feedback in the anonymous survey offered after the sessions:
“A fresh approach to negotiating troubled waters while remaining calm”
“Trystan was a really compelling presenter”
“BPA has really raised the bar in terms of our professional development options!”
Tillamook County Creamery Association. A beloved Oregon institution, Tillamook has partnered with Collaborate Consulting on several projects, including on-going diversity, equity, and inclusion training for their staff at all levels. Each year, Collaborate provides topical, innovative Pride-themed sessions for the team at Tillamook; we have hosted LGBTQIA+ employee panels, taught transgender history, and even delivered an interactive session on the history of direct-action organizing during the AIDS epidemic. Shiela Murty, Executive Vice President of People and Culture, has this to say about Trystan’s work:
“From the moment I met Trystan, I realized we found a partner. Trystan quickly understood where we were in our Inclusion & Diversity journey and developed sessions for our employees, which was so well received for Pride Month. Furthermore, Trystan provided expert partnership in helping us showcase our amazing employees.”
Yamhill County Health and Human Services. This rural county was interested in improving its ability to provide equitable services across lines of difference, especially for its community members who are LGBTQIA+. Collaborate partnered with them to offer allyship training, empowered supervision sessions, and transgender inclusion workshops. Initially, these offerings were available to managers and supervisors; however, they were so successful that the County decided to open them up to all employees.
This partnership extended beyond training when the County reached out to Collaborate to assist with internal diversity policies. Collaborate audited and updated policies governing Yamhill County Health and Human Services’ approach to bias, harassment, and discrimination internally, following the partnership up with a presentation to staff leadership outlining the new policy and training them on its implementation.
Energy 350. This engineering firm works to maximize energy efficiency in order to displace power plants, save businesses money, and protect the environment. Collaborate has worked with Energy 350 over the course of several years, offering trainings on White Supremacy Culture, LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, Communication and Conflict, and more.
“I approached Trystan to help us (Energy 350) with some trainings focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He met us where we were at (in our DEI journey) and he delivered three courses co-presented with special guests. He received rave reviews from my coworkers. The presentations were low-pressure, welcoming, conversational, shame-free, and very interesting and informative. Trystan is very experienced and skilled in having ‘difficult conversations’ with folks, and he seems to truly enjoy talking with people of all backgrounds and opinions. I hope to keep hiring Trystan for work at Energy 350.”
One Community Health. This rural health organization began as a resource for migrant farmworkers and has since grown to a community health center with several locations in the Columbia River Gorge region. Collaborate Consulting has been One Community Health’s go-to strategic partner for all things diversity and inclusion. We have trained their staff on a variety of equity issues, including trauma-informed care, neurodivergence in medicine, and gender-inclusive strategies in community health. We also performed a 360 equity audit of their internal and external practices, completing a community impact survey, interviewing staff, and more. Further, Collaborate regularly facilitates strategic planning retreats for the One Community Health board.
“I’ve had the good fortune to work with Trystan several times, ranging from being a participant at a training session he led, to working on our DEI strategy, to most recently developing our strategic plan where he facilitated the process with our leadership team and board members. In every case, I leave the experience feeling like I have grown as a person. Trystan has a way of helping broaden your lens around empathy and respect for your fellow citizens. He reminds you of the purpose behind your service. In our recent strategic planning session, I entered the meeting a bit tired but left charged with energy and hope for the future. He made a 3-hour session feel like 30 minutes. Trystan is truly a master craftsperson, he learns your organization and team, prepares, and engages with a contagious spirit and optimism. His work truly transforms people and organizations. Thank you Trystan for all you do.”
