PRIDE Lunch and Learn Speaker Says Fight for Equality is Different Today
During the final moments of PRIDE’s June 27 lunch and learn featuring Dallas Voice President and Publisher Leo Cusimano, Associate Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity and Inclusion Officer Anna Jeffries said someone told her: “Diversity is reality, inclusion is a choice.”
During the lunch and learn presented by PRIDE (People Respecting Individuality, Diversity and Equality), associates were reminded of the Exchange’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
While LGBTQ+ rights, protections and acceptance has improved, guest speaker Cusimano, whose publication is a longstanding source of entertainment and news with an LGBTQ+ focus in North Texas, said the fight for equality still continues.
However, the fight today is different than that of the Civil Rights era. The weekend of June 28 marked the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which is considered the origin of the Pride movement.
“Today the fight is different for LGBT folks,” Cusimano said. “Its more about identities. People are not wanting to be pigeonholed as just gay, bisexual or lesbian.”
Cusimano said just being treated like anyone else is the heart of the fight for equality. “We do not want any kind of special rights,” Cusimano said “We just want the same rights and privileges everyone else receives.”
Cusimano has been with the Dallas Voice for over 30 years. The publication has won awards for its commitment to LGBTQ+ journalism in North Texas. He has also sat on numerous boards serving the LGBTQ+ community.
Cusimano highlighted the importance of being mindful of unconscious biases.
As an example, Cusimano told a story of how when he, his husband, who he has been with for over 40 years and legally married in 2015, and their two children went out to eat, the waiter asked if the check was for one or two – something that happens more often than not. He noted if this was a family with a man, woman, and their children, this would not have been a question.
Being mindful of bias is something he has struggled with himself, including at his workplace.
“It’s an education thing, even for us as LGBT,” Cusimano said. “I have one employee working for me whose pronouns are they/them. I am learning to address them correctly. It’s a learning thing.”
Cusimano said Pride Month, celebrated during the month of June, is more than just celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. “It’s about visibility and awareness,” Cusimano said. “It highlights the struggles and achievements, but it also educates others and fosters real acceptance and understanding.”
Exchange President Jason Rosenberg reminded the audience that one of the Exchange’s core values is “respect everyone” and this especially applies to diversity and inclusion.
“Here in Texas, ‘Y’all means ALL,’” Rosenberg said. “In terms of inclusion, that means treating everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender or race, with respect.”
Further, Rosenberg thanked everyone in attendance and encouraged participating in special emphasis group activities. “Whether you are here as a member of the LGBTQI community or as an ally, showing up to events like this is powerful and means so much.”
Associates interested in joining a special emphasis program, including PRIDE, or are interested in knowing what resources are available to them, can click here to view the Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity and Inclusion’s SharePoint portal.
