“It’s not helpful. It’s actually debilitating.” INvolve – The Inclusion People #Pride 2024: Debunking misconceptions.

From INvolve – The Inclusion People: “Can you recognize myths and misconceptions from reality? 💡 For Pride Month 2024, we spoke to three of our 2023 Outstanding Role Models who debunked some misconceptions and myths about LGBTQ+ communities. Hear what they have to say here.

Hear from: Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing, Clark Hill; Joelle Archer, Vice-President Research Creative Suite, Morgan Stanley; Deon Pillay CMgr MCMI, Head of Marketing Technology Enablement and Governance, Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) … who are using this space to debunk misconceptions.

“Allies – you are crucial for change. Take on board the learnings that these Role Models are sharing and consider how you can best avoid slipping into biases, or perpetuating misconceptions and also how you can leverage your power, influence and platform to support and elevate your LGBTQ+ colleagues.”

View here.

TRANSCRIPT for my contribution: So for me, at least in my lived experience the last few years where I’ve had some increasingly visible leadership roles, it’s that well-meaning allies think I am open to unsolicited advice.

Truth of the matter is, it has taken me 51 years to get to the place of authenticity, where I feel comfortable in my own skin, and when allies come forward and try to manage me for style, offering me points on how I dress, or how I speak or how I use social media or how visible I am …

It’s not helpful. It’s actually debilitating.

What we really want is support on substantive issues and opportunities where we can be present with our authentic selves.

So if you are thinking that as a gay man, I’m interested in your advice on how to dress for success?

I’m not.

“It takes work to become an evolved person.” – eToro’s CEO Lule Demmissie at last night’s INvolve People Gala

More pics here.

“It takes work to become an evolved person.” – eToro CEO Lule Demmissie in her revelatory, authentic, moving speech from last night’s INvolve People Gala.

Last year I had one of the honors of my life being named to INvolve – The Inclusion People’s OutStanding LGBTQIA+ Executives list. And last night we celebrated. To say it was an iconic evening would be an understatement. (The TIME 100 were being feted in the same building, and I learned too late that my beloved Kylie Minogue was just a few floors down. That is probably for the best! For her sake. Lol.)

Thank you to INvolve CEO Suki Sandhu OBE for all he has done to create genuine inclusion in this world. His leadership is exemplary. And our gratitude to Deutsche Bank and fellow honoree Jon Tilli for being such gracious and generous hosts. Emcee Peppermint knocked it out of the park, and her fireside chat with fashion designer and “Real Housewives of New York” Jenna Lyons was truly inspiring.

I met some incredible new pals, and feel honored to have been among their presence: fellow Michigander Dow’s Trevor Ewers, another fellow Michigander Luminar Technologies’ Steven Del Gaizo, Verizon’s Kimmah Dozier (she/her), Komatsu’s Iris Wilson-Farley, eToro’s Lule D., Butterfield Group’s Karim Chowdhury MSc Chartered FCSI, EY’s Najiyah Chowdhury ACA, SafePlace International’s Maggie Lower 🏳️‍🌈 and Rachael LeClear, INFEMNITY Productions LLC’s Nina Kennedy, and Trans Formative Schools’ Alaina Daniels, and so many others whose names will occur to me, no doubt, throughout the rest of the weekend. Lol.

Thank you to Clark Hill and my amazing and kind colleagues Susan Ahern , Linda Watson , and Kathleen Sullivan for their support of my personal leadership journey as well as everything they do to champion inclusion at our wonderful firm. Thank you also to newsPRos’ Jaime Baum for her support in this recognition, and for the joy she brings every day to this work. Thank you to beautiful pal Maria Fracassa Dwyer for the fashion advice, and Amazon for supplying my couture. 😅🌈 ✨