June brings us the official start of summer alongside several holidays and observations including Pride Month. In the United States, LGBTQ+ Pride is celebrated as a commemoration of the Stonewall Riots of June 1969. Across the world, the celebration can be defined as a “salient act of resistance uniting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LBGTIQ) people.”
The current climate in the U.S. has created environments where biases, context, and culture are used to silence the voices and limits the rights of marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ folks. Among my clients, this is showing up as increased stress and anxiety around identity and belonging. I am countering this negative climate change by creating a coaching space where differences can be discussed, questioned, and respected without fear of being silenced. As coaches, when LGBTQ+ people seek out coaching, how do we ensure that our coaching space, is a safe space? How do we acknowledge our potential biases without allowing them to interfere with our coaching?
Easy! Review the ICF Core Competencies:
Our thoughts and biases can influence the questions we ask and negatively affect the co-creation of a successful coaching relationship. Acknowledging this and taking steps to minimize this effect is part of your growth as a coach. During June challenge yourself to expand your learning and awareness of issues impacting LGBTQ+ folks while deepening your understanding of biases and culture.