Every once in a while I’m touched by the commitment and compassion of an organization to make the world a better place and create spaces where people are and feel valued for who they are.
TD has been on my list of exemplary companies around LGBTQ issues, and the launch of their new “It Gets Better” video is another example of what we can do when we walk the talk about inclusion. What I like most about it is the honesty and the acknowledgment of how hard it can be to be yourself in the face of hate and lack of acceptance – and that this hate is not about you. Wow. I wonder how many hearts will be touched by those words? How many kids will take another breath and keep going because someone not only said “it’s going to get better” but “it sucks now, and it’s a systemic problem”? (Someone in a position of power and in a suit, no less!)
I have heard Ed Clark (the CEO of TD) say, with my own ears, that TD will never put profits before people. I know that they are committed to LGBTQ communities because he found out (years ago) that a high level executive at TD felt he had to quit because he was gay. TD has been transformed internally as well as in their community support because someone in power “got it”, and did something about it.
There are many ways to make a difference – big ways and small ways – no matter who we are.
Speaking up for, or standing beside someone as an ally are two ways that can help to begin a ripple of change that could change someone’s whole world.
Watch the video.
Be inspired.
See more.
Copyright 2012 Annemarie Shrouder
Author, Speaker and Facilitator on issues of Diversity & Inclusion
www.beeing.ca
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