Aired Feb 16, 2023

National Make a Friend Day

Many LGBTQ+ people rely on their friends, allies, and chosen family for support and affirmation after being rejected by their family of origin. As we reflect on last Saturday’s National Make a Friend Day, let’s consider how we can all grow our personal networks of friends and allies throughout 2023.

We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, February 16. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!

Article: How To Build LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Within Your Company

Source: Forbes

Author: Adrien Gaubert

Questions for Discussion:

1. In your opinion, do you need to be someone’s friend in order to be their ally? Can you be someone’s friend without being their ally?
2. Do you know anyone who identifies as LGBTQ, in your personal or professional life, that has gone back into the closet because they did not feel safe?
3. The author of this article has a number of suggestions to make workplaces feel more inclusive – but many of them are easier said than done. If there was one thing that your employer could do to make you feel welcome, safe, and affirmed, what would it be?

About Our Guests: 

Tori Farmer, Managing Director, Diversity Equity & Inclusion at KPMG LLP

Mackenzie Harte, Learning & Inclusion Coordinator, PFLAG National

Jamie Henkel, Learning & Inclusion Manager, PFLAG National

Jean-Marie Navetta, Director of Learning & Inclusion, PFLAG National

Bonus Resources: Check out “The Joy in Finding Your Chosen Family” from the New York Times by Dani Blum and these resources from the PFLAG’s Straight for Equality Program.

Watch Live:

Something to Talk About Live is a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter.