After years of growing corporate support for Pride and LGBTQ+ initiatives, many companies and LGBTQ+ organizations are navigating a new period of uncertainty. Recently, many big corporations have been pulling back their support for Pride events and LGBTQ+ programming, leaving funding gaps for LGBTQ+ organizations. Instead of walking away from these connections, nonprofit Point of Pride is forging ahead in a different way. Point of Pride is marking Pride month by bringing its work directly into corporate workplaces through conversations with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at companies.
The trans-led nonprofit, which provides free gender-affirming care and financial assistance to trans people who cannot afford it, says the initiative comes at a time of growing uncertainty for trans employees as access to healthcare faces increasing state and federal restrictions.
Point of Pride is offering education and practical tools for ERGs, including sessions focused on LGBTQ+ cultural competency, allyship, trans healthcare realities and understanding the current political climate affecting trans communities. Participants also learn about resources available through the organization.
News is Out spoke with Jeff Main, executive director of Point of Pride, about their commitment to helping coworkers better support one another, create more informed and inclusive workplaces and ensure LGBTQ employees know what help is available during a difficult moment for the community.
For a number of LGBTQ+ employees, particularly trans and nonbinary folks, the need for safer spaces at work has grown tremendously in the last two years.
“I think the biggest thing is that those folks are looking for facilitated spaces, for safer spaces, where they can sort of let their hair down, so to speak,” said Main. “They want to be in community with colleagues and help them understand the very real impacts that they are feeling.”
Main said Point of Pride is increasingly being asked not only to raise awareness about the challenges LGBTQ+ employees face, but also to help companies build stronger allyship in the workplace.
“Not just by raising awareness of different situations, but by providing actionable next steps,” said Main. “Here are the things you can say and the things you can do to be a better colleague to all people, but especially your queer teammates.”
Main shared that some longtime partnerships have dissolved due to concerns about backlash and the current anti-DEI movement.
“We have had partnerships that have been years long where this year ERG facilitators have said, “Sorry, there are some internal concerns that by bringing you in, we might somehow be violating some of these DEI policies or show up on the radar of the administration,” said Main. “I’m thinking especially about larger companies with international contracts and things like that. When I speak to those facilitators, of course there’s disappointment and sadness. But there’s always this hope. They tell me something along the lines of, ‘I’m going to keep fighting the good fight internally. I’m going to keep using my voice to advocate for why these conversations really matter and that now is not the time to be fearful of political backlash.’”
But not everyone is pulling back.
“The retreat is real,” said Main. “But smaller companies, or even midsized ones that really want to show up for their queer colleagues and queer talent, are booking more engagements and really doubling down.”
ERGs are making a real difference for LGBTQ+ employees, even if the company has dialed back public support.
“ERGs are a place where people can show up and be authentic and not have to put up all of these guards just to navigate a workplace,” said Main.”It’s a place where you can celebrate our community. It’s also a place where you can provide education and support to allies.”
Main tells News is Out that many more allies are coming forward through ERGs, in particular family members and friends of trans and LGBTQ+ people.
“Definitely in the last year or two, at least from the companies we’ve worked with, so much of the makeup of ERGs has become parents, spouses, friends and family members of trans people, especially parents,” said Main. “We’ve had so many great conversations with companies speaking to those folks, validating the very real concerns they’re having and helping get them the support they need for themselves and their kids.”
While Point of Pride says it isn’t asking companies to take a political stance, the organization is asking people to be more empathetic and curious about the concerns and realities of LGBTQ+ employees.
“I think what makes these sessions so effective is that I’m constantly reminding folks that the guidance I’m offering, like how to use more inclusive, gender-neutral language, is great for everybody in your workplace,” said Main. “It’s a way to show your queer colleagues that you’re a safe space, but it also has this great ripple effect for everyone else you work alongside. A lot of the sessions and conversations I have with allies are about reminding people that they don’t have to have it perfect and they don’t actually have to take a stance. But we can lead with respect for all people and with a desire to foster a more inclusive world. It sounds a little cheesy to zoom out like that, but it’s true.”
In addition to the work Point of Pride does year-round with ERGs, it has supported more than 30,000 people over its 10-year history with direct support for trans healthcare and wellness needs. Main tells News is Out that the need has grown even more for PoP’s services in the last two years.
“We receive anywhere from 45 to 60 new requests every single day for just one of our programs,” said Main. “For our financial aid programs, we receive thousands of applications each year and have limited funding. We have to make some really difficult decisions because everybody deserves healthcare.”
One way to support Point of Pride’s continued work is through its speaking engagements program.
“These speaking engagements are really exciting for us because they allow us to create change on a broader level,” said Main. “We’re helping individuals one-to-one get the healthcare they need, and then we have opportunities to provide education, information and resources on a broader level and hopefully change some hearts and minds in doing so. The honorariums from these speaking engagements also directly support our mission and our work.”
To learn more about Point of Pride and how you can bring them to speak at your ERG, visit https://www.pointofpride.org/.
