Be the Glitter: Unapologetically You

Table of Contents

• Unapologetically Sustainably You

  • What Do We Want? When Do We Want It?

• ✨ Book Project: Peek Into the Process ✨

• 3 Ways For Your Friends to Get LTS

• Sign Up or Show Up - 2 Hot Events For Your Calenda …

• Adorable Ally?

• Inclusive Communication Tip: Reconsidering "Grandf …

• Get Your Be the Glitter T-shirt

Unapologetically Sustainably You

Hear me out. We use the word “Sustainability” for topics like climate change, ecology, and the eco-organic fads in products. Cool. Now I ask you to think of the societal climate. Cultural climate. Sure, and the economical climate. How do we sustainably thrive in those spaces?

According to my brilliant, beautiful, ambitious friend, Ally Saga West, co-founder of New Valley Labs, the best way is to be as unapologetically you as you can be. In fact, in our recent podcast, they mention that there is data proving that investing in LGBTQ+ startups is quite successful! And who among the readers of this newsletter wouldn’t want to see an ecologically sound future in that?

What Do We Want? When Do We Want It?

We’re talking allies:

1. Comfortable Curiosity: care enough to ask the burning questions

2. To Be Heard: a genuine attempt to understand someone can change minds

3. Stand Up & Show Up: actions make an ally. Have you stood as an ally lately?

The time is now. We need to support each other, hear the marginalized and misunderstood voices tell their true stories, and make our society a more loving, inclusive space. Hence the podcast. And my current book project.

✨ Book Project: Peek Into the Process ✨

Stay tuned for more on this exciting book in the works!

3 Ways For Your Friends to Get LTS

Do all of your friends have my first Interchangeable Action Novel© yet? Share these fun ways for them to get their hands on one:

1- Go to 100State’s Gallery Night this Friday for signed copies

2- Watch the podcast mentioned above for a sweet e-book giveaway

3- Ask a local library to order ISBN: 9781304481917

Stay tuned for more events this year where my book will be out and proud. 🥹

Sign Up or Show Up - 2 Hot Events For Your Calendar

✨ Collaboration Cohort “For six months, we'll dive into the intricacies of collaboration, empowering you to refine your skills in a manner that will positively impact both your personal and professional spheres in profound ways.”

✨ QueerSpeaks “An unforgettable two-day LGBTQIA+ Humanities Happening that promises to be the highlight of the year!”

Adorable Ally?

We love all the allies! And don’t you just love that Ally’s name and ally are spelled the same? Love it. After listening to the MYGWORK panel yesterday, one clear loud message was that allies are so essential, and there are many ways to be a good one.

Journal prompt: What does it mean to you to be a good ally? How does an ally act? Who are they an ally for? Where do they show up? When was the last time you were recognized as an effective ally?

✨ Feel free to reply to this newsletter with thoughts that come up for you. A big future focus in the podcast and newsletter will be on allies.

Inclusive Communication Tip: Reconsidering "Grandfathered In"

Did you know? The common phrase "grandfathered in" originated from discriminatory voting laws in the post-Civil War South. These "grandfather clauses" created voting barriers while exempting those whose grandfathers could vote before 1867 - effectively disenfranchising newly freed Black Americans. Gross.

Common Usage Today: We often use this term casually to describe things that are automatically accepted or included- like when older employees keep certain benefits after policy changes.

Replacement Practice: Consider these more neutral alternatives:

For policies and regulations:

• "Legacy status"

• "Previously approved"

• "Existing provisions"

• "Exempt status"

• "Historical exception"

For everyday conversations:

• "Automatically included"

• "Given continued access"

• "Maintained previous status"

• "Kept original privileges"

• "Historic allowance"

• "Already established"

• "Long-standing arrangement"

Language matters. One small way we can create waves of positive change is by replacing language rooted in discriminatory practices.

Get Your Be the Glitter T-shirt

Wear the glitter and spread it! My designs are now available so you can spread inspiration too. 🤩

On LinkedIn? Share your thoughts on being an adorable ally or being unapologetically, sustainably you. Use #BeGlitter and tag me!

Sending you lots of love,

Laura

PS- I’d love to grow this newsletter. Do me a favor? Ask a friend to subscribe? You’re wonderful!