Pride Month 2019: 30 days of rainbows, reflection, and revelry.

June at New York Life was filled with expression, education, and celebration. In workspaces and offices across the country, colleagues proudly displayed Pride rainbows in support of the LGBTQ+ community and recognition of the 50th anniversary of the historic Stonewall riots. 

NYLPride, one of our Employee Resource Groups (ERG) for LGBTQ+ employees and allies, hosted many events across the country during this year’s Pride Month including:

• "Gender Jargon: Broadening Your Understanding of Gender"— An ODI Coming Together Conversation.  A member of PFLAG, a national LGBTQ+ organization, co-presented and helped members of the audience explore their understanding of gender as well as how to be better allies to the LGBTQ+ community.
  
• "Mix It Up with Amber Hikes"   — Amber Hikes, a black woman in the LGBTQ+ community, spoke with New York Life colleagues on the subject of the intersectionality of our various identities. Hikes challenged and empowered attendees to become better allies. The presentation was co-sponsored by our ERG’s BOLD, The Women’s Initiative, and NYLPride.
• “Coming Out in the CLE” — Cleveland colleagues shared their coming out stores as well as the story of being an ally.
• At the Sage Dinner in Manhattan, New York Life volunteers served dinner to more than 100 LGBTQ+ older adults at the Edie Windsor SAGE Center.
• New York Life also hosted a Coffee Reception with U.S. Representative Mark Takano, the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress. Mr. Takano He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and is a friend of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), one of the New York Life Foundation’s strategic partners. Rep. Takano spoke to colleagues about issues important to veterans. He also pointed to his family history by showing the contributions of immigrants, including family members who served in the U.S. military and his mother, who was one of the first women to be named partner at New York Life. This event was co-sponsored by our ERG’s: NYLPride, NYL-Vets, and the Asian Network Group, in partnership with the Office of Governmental Affairs.    

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