Welcome to the Pride in Our Workplace Blog. As an organization, we strive to deliver best practices in DEI, LGBTQ+ workplace policy, and professional development. We hope to use this platform as a forum to spotlight important, often unheard points of view to inspire impactful thought leadership.
Featured Posts
Nov 5, 2025
From Acronyms to Impact: Building ERGs That Truly Matter
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are powerful drivers of belonging, visibility, and culture change within organizations. But for ERGs to truly thrive, they need clarity of purpose, strong leadership support, and strategies that amplify impact—not just good intentions.
In our latest blog, we highlight key insights from Dr. Tom Bourdon’s “Maximizing ERG Effectiveness” workshop he conducted for PIOW sponsor organizations, including a practical framework ERG leaders can use to strengthen engagement, sharpen goals, and demonstrate real value.
Oct 8, 2025
PIOW Oct ’25 Newsletter
In this issue, we’re spotlighting one of our superstar volunteers, sharing photos from our recent events, and previewing what’s next on the calendar, including our upcoming Job Search Webinar in November. You’ll also find details on how to support PIOW on DAF Giving Day, an introduction to our recent blog on supporting LGBTQ+ employees with disabilities, and catch up on news from our amazing community partners.
Sep 3, 2025
Beyond the Checkboxes: Supporting LGBTQ+ Employees with Disabilities
Workplaces often silo disability and queerness into separate conversations, leaving employees at the intersection without real support. In this blog, we explore how companies can design onboarding, policies, and cultures that center accessibility, protect privacy, and build true equity for LGBTQ+ employees with disabilities.
Sep 2, 2025
PIOW Sep ’25 Newsletter
We announce our new sponsor Wolf & Company and share details on our Pickleball Tournament in JP on Sep 6 with Queer Pickleball Boston, our upcoming networking event with YW Boston on Sep 18 at Dorchester Brewing Co and Oct 2nd ERG Networking event with MA LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Get a sneak peak at a number of programs in the works and our community partner announcements.
Aug 5, 2025
ERG Leadership Summit Highlights
Even if you weren’t able to attend our ERG Leadership Summit in May, you can still take advantage of some great insights and takeaways from our panel of ERG and DEIB leaders. We’ve posted highlight clips on Facing Today’s Challenges, Programming on a Budget, and Speaking Up. We will continue adding more in the coming months, so be sure to check back.
Aug 5, 2025
PIOW Summer ’25 Newsletter
Check out video highlights from our recent ERG Leadership Summit, where incredible insights and ideas were exchanged.
Get details on our upcoming networking event with YW Boston on Sep 18 at Dorchester Brewing Co and Pickleball Tournament in JP on Sep 6 with Queer Pickleball Boston.
Get a sneak peak at a number of programs in the works.
June 26, 2025
June Newsletter: Help PIOW Reach our Pride Month Donation Goal
In this issue, we ask that our supporters consider making a Pride month donation to help meet our $5,500 goal for 55 years of Pride. We also share some joyful snapshots from our recent PIOW Pride Celebration 🎉, share the executive brief from our April Safety Panel, take a look at what’s ahead, and offer an opportunity to volunteer at this year’s Black Pride Music & Arts Festival.
May 28, 2025
Pride Events Reminder
As June approaches, we’re excited to celebrate Pride with our vibrant community and partners across Boston! Pride is a time to honor our history, embrace our identities, and stand strong in the face of ongoing challenges—and there are so many ways to show up this year. Check out our Pride Events Reminder for some of the many options to celebrate Pride!
May 1, 2025
May Updates: PIOW ERG Leadership Summit and Pride Celebration
Join for our ERG Leadership Summit on May 14 and annual Pride celebration on June 5, along with other upcoming community events, meet our new board members, and learn about the latest community partner announcements.
April 3, 2025
April Updates: Event Reminders, Queer Food Fest, and Pride Preview
April Updates: Event Reminders, Queer Food Fest, and Pride Preview
Sign up for our upcoming Safety Panel and ERG Leadership Summit, save the date for our annual Pride celebration and other upcoming events, sign up to volunteer with PIOW, and learn about the latest community partner announcements.
March 5, 2025
March Updates: Exciting Events & New Initiatives!
There’s a lot happening at Pride in Our Workplace (PIOW)! This month, we’re gearing up for impactful events, exciting partnerships, and new ways to get involved. From our upcoming safety panel and ERG Leadership Summit to the launch of Ibis idea+, ways to volunteer with PIOW, and community partner announcements, there’s plenty of news to review.
Feb 12, 2025
We are incredibly proud of what PIOW accomplished together with our sponsors and community partners last year – join us in looking back on PIOW’s 2024 impact.
Feb 12, 2025
Our recent Virtual Roundtable on LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Priorities brought together Employee Resource Group (ERG) and DEIB leaders from our sponsor organizations to reflect on their 2024 accomplishments, identify key priorities for 2025, and discuss support needs for navigating the evolving landscape of workplace inclusion in the year ahead.
Check out what they did and what’s top of mind for 2025.
January 21, 2025
Kick off the new year with PIOW – including acknowledgement of the challenges ahead, our first in-person networking event, new board leadership, and the unveiling of our new Community Patrner
December 3, 2024
Explore the latest updates from PIOW – including a note from our new Executive Director, an appeal for Giving Tuesday, an article by our board chair on How NOT to Onboard Your New Transgender Executive, and links to our Civic Engagement panel replay and executive summary document
December 3, 2024
Pride in Our Workplace (PIOW) Board Chair, Cheryl Katon (she, her), reflects on her recent workplace onboarding experience, contrasting it with that of newly elected Congresswoman Sarah McBride. Cheryl’s insights shed light on the persistent challenges many transgender individuals face in professional environments, emphasizing the critical need for inclusive practices and policies in the workplace.
August 13, 2024
PIOW August Newsletter: Explore the latest updates from PIOW – including our search for an Executive Director, upcoming events, and an introduction to new members of our leadership team!
PIOW June Newsletter
June 7, 2024
The PIOW June Newsletter is out now. Catch up on our Pride social media campaign, events, and more inside1
My LGBTQ+ Colleague
June 6, 2024
PIOW is proud to introduce My LGBTQ+ Colleague, a social media campaign celebrating the everyday actions of LGBTQ+ professionals and the workplaces that support them.
PIOW May Newsletter
May 8, 2024
Pride in Our Workplace announces its upcoming June events and shared standout events happening this month across New England. Learn more and secure your tickets in our latest mailing.
2024 LGBTQ+ Pride Event Calendar
May 1, 2024
The 2024 LGBTQ+ Pride season kicks off in May in New England, with some events even stretching into the Fall. PIOW is here to highlight local LGBTQ+ community events and national observances to help you make the most of our favorite time of year.
Executive Brief: Leveraging Your Network & Brand for Career Growth
April 18, 2024
In February 2024, PIOW hosted a virtual fireside chat spotlighting best practices in leveraging one’s network and brand for career growth. Following the event, our team is proud to provide an executive summary of the session, a full event recording, and a playlist of key insights.
April 2024 Newsletter
April 2, 2024
Catch up on the latest PIOW Newsletter delivered to readers in April 2024.
Not subscribed? Join our mailing list here.
Building Community & Reclaiming Black Pride with Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation
February 15, 2024
A Black History Month Q&A and community spotlight with PIOW Community Grant recipient, Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation
Moving Beyond Intention to Impact with Malia Lazu
February 1, 2024
Malia Lazu joined PIOW’s Jonathan Allen as a panelist at our recent BPL Town Hall addressing the future of LGBTQ+ protections and DEI policy. In our featured post, we are revisiting that conversation and providing new insight into what Lazu defines as ‘the gap between intention and impact.’
January 2024 Newsletter
January 18, 2024
Catch up on the latest PIOW Newsletter delivered to readers on January 18.
Not subscribed? Join our mailing list here.
PIOW 2023 Impact Report
January 18, 2024
This year, our team worked throughout the year to deliver a packed calendar of events and library of resources. We are incredibly proud of what we accomplished together – join us in looking back on PIOW’s 2023 impact.
Meet 10 LGBTQ+ Organizations Receiving PIOW Community Grants
January 4, 2024
Meet the 10 LGBTQ+ Organizations Receiving PIOW Community Grants!
Join our team in celebrating these community-driven organizations – read more to learn about their impactful work.
Executive Brief: Actions To Support LGBTQ+ Professionals And DEI In 2024
December 31, 2023
In October 2023, PIOW hosted a Town Hall at the Boston Public Library discussing the future of LGBTQ+ protections and DEI policy. Following the event, our team is proud to provide an executive summary of the session, downloadable panelist invites, and a full event recording. Find these resources inside.
The Path Toward Equality and Justice
November 21, 2023
PIOW gathered LGBTQ+ and DEI leaders at the Boston Public Library in October 2023 to address the future of LGBTQ+ protections & DEI policy. Preceding this discussion, GLAD offered opening remarks, speaking to the legislative climate, challenges ahead, and the potential for corporate allyship.
PIOW Community Grant Program
October 26, 2023
This Pride in Our Workplace Community Grant Program is back for 2023! PIOW invites early-stage LGBTQ+ nonprofits to apply to receive small capital grants aimed at bolstering the workforce capacity of community-serving organizations. Details inside!
PIOW Newsletter: October 2023
October 12, 2023
This October, the PIOW newsletter features upcoming events, the latest in LGBTQ+ and DEI resources, thought leadership, and more.
See inside for details.
Embracing the Intersections: A Hispanic Heritage Month Q&A with Bianca Robinson
September 28, 2023
PIOW is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the thought leadership of a trailblazer in Boston’s LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities, Bianca Robinson.
Bianca shares with us the ways in which connections to her own heritage and support from trans mentors have informed her work.
LGBTQ+ Legislative Battles and Community Impact
September 12, 2023
As we navigate periods of legislative uncertainty, it is important that LGBTQ+ individuals, business leaders, and allies become familiar with issues projected to harm our communities. To help with this effort, PIOW sourced the latest updates from LGBTQ- and DEI-centric organizations advocating on behalf of LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities in the face of discriminatory legislation.
Executive Brief: Intentional Leadership to Support LGBTQ+ Professionals
August 1, 2023
PIOW’s June event defined best practices in intentional leadership, action items for LGBTQ+ and allied professionals, and performative pitfalls to avoid in DEI work.
Explore our latest executive brief for a full event recording and a breakdown of panelist insights.
PIOW Newsletter: June 2023
June 2, 2023
Happy June and Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month! Our organization is ready to dive into Pride Season to center joy, celebrate all members of our community, and ensure that LGBTQ+ professionals receive the support and resources they need to thrive at work.
Explore upcoming events and new resources inside!
Executive Brief: Maintaining Momentum on Social Justice
June 1, 2023
Access the new PIOW Executive Brief, featuring best practices and panelist insights from our April Maintaining Momentum on Social Justice Virtual Event. Full event recording and digital assets included inside.
2023 LGBTQ+ Pride Event Calendar
June 1, 2023
It is Pride Month and PIOW is highlighting New England’s 2023 LGBTQ+ Pride events! Find event details and links inside!
Centering LGBTQ+ Mental Health and AAPI Experience with AJ Guerrero, LMHC
May 17, 2023
In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the PIOW team is highlighting the thought leadership of AJ Guerrero, a mental health professional and member of the LGBTQ+ AAPI community.
What the Dylan Mulvaney x Bud Light Campaign Tells Us About Corporate Allyship and Integrity
May 4, 2023
Like everything in business and in life, the answer begins with integrity. In recent weeks, Dylan Mulvaney has been brought into an emotional and politically-charged debate on trans rights. In this post, we respond and address the dangers of conditional allyship and corporate rainbow washing.
PIOW Newsletter: March 2023
March 30, 2023
Amid a charged climate of anti-trans narratives and record numbers of anti-LGBTQ bills in circulation, PIOW remains committed to championing inclusion and equity for the 8 million+ LGBTQ employees in the U.S. and allies that choose to be part of the march toward progress.
A message from our new President, Cheryl Katon
March 27, 2023
In a new message, PIOW President Cheryl Katon pays homage to those who founded the organization and shares her vision for the new era of PIOW leadership. Continue reading for the full letter from our new President.
The Collective Progression of Black and LGBTQ+ Communities
February 22, 2023
In February 2022, PIOW’s Jonathan Allen was joined by LGBTQ+ and allied Black community leaders to discuss the significance of Black History Month and our capacity to build toward the collective progression of our communities.
BE(RG) Our Valentine
February 14, 2023
Roses are red, violets are blue, and we’re thanking ERG leaders for all that they do! The hard work of HR and DEI teams & LGBTQ+ ERGs often goes overlooked. Today, we’re giving them their flowers and we encourage you to do the same.
3 Signs Your Workplace is Supportive of Rising LGBTQ+ Leaders
January 19, 2023
PIOW’s Katie Martell sits down with with young LGBTQ+ professionals to discuss LGBTQ+ identity, advocacy, and leadership in the modern workplace. What resulted was an insightful, engaging panel that brought a number of best practices to the surface.
Pride in Our Workplace Leadership Update
December 13, 2022
After helping found Pride in Our Workplace 16 years ago and serving a three-year term as President of our organization, John Basile shares his transition to PIOW’s new Advisory Board and announces our incoming leadership team.
Club Q: Our Response and Community Resources
November 23, 2022
In our latest post, the Pride in Our Workplace team responds to the recent shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Find PIOWS’s full statement & LGBTQ+ and business community resources inside.
The Business Choice to Support Trans Equality:
Recommendations for Businesses During Trans Awareness Week 2022
November 17, 2022
Pride in Our Workplace urges the business community to refocus the conversation on the present need for allyship and protection, calling all businesses to understand their role in the fight against transphobia.
PIOW Newsletter: November 2022
November 1, 2022
The year is flying by and our team is excited to share all we’ve been working on. Find the latest PIOW events and LGBTQ+ resources in our November Newsletter.
Coming Out at Work: Indicators of Inclusivity
October 11, 2022
In an ideal world, coming out is a personal choice, detached from external pressures or threats of judgment. In reality, there is no guarantee of how a colleague or a workplace will react when an LGBTQ+ professional comes out. Read more to learn how you can begin gauging LGBTQ+ inclusivity in your organization.
3 Ways to Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month
October 3, 2022
October is LGBTQ+ History Month and it is time to celebrate! Check out the latest tips from PIOW to help you discover, honor, and experience LGBTQ+ history!
PIOW Newsletter: August 2022
August 25, 2022
We hope you are soaking in the final weeks of summer! As August comes to a close, we at PIOW are spotlighting community organizations, opportunities for engagement, and a preview of our fall programming – including our next panel event and a renewed focus on ERGs.
7 Community Organizations to Support in 2022
August 15, 2022
We are proud to share our platform with organizations whose values reflect our own. Learn more about these LGBTQ+ and mission-driven organizations, and consider supporting their impactful work.
June 2022 Newsletter
June 29, 2022
As June 2022 comes to a close, we hope that you have been able to celebrate LGBTQ+ joy, allyship, and resilience this month. We have been hard at work and have an exciting collection of resources, spotlights, and announcements to share with you in a special Pride edition of the PIOW Newsletter.
Executive Queeries: LGBTQ+ Pride and Allyship
June 28, 2022
Each LGBTQ+ person carries with them their own understanding of LGBTQ+ Pride and Allyship. As our annual “Pride Season” comes to a close, we are pausing to explore these concepts further with the hope that their deeper significance will be felt long after the wave of marketing campaigns and social initiatives end on June 30. We posed the following question to our Board: What do Pride and Allyship mean to you?
7 Systemic Barriers Faced by LGBTQ+ Young Professionals
June 8, 2022
PIOW hosted a panel discussion focused on the needs of young adults who are navigating career access, mobility, and workplace culture for the first time. Boston’s nonprofit leaders joined us to unpack the systemic barriers that can work against LGBTQ+ young adults as they seek to secure and maintain employment. Included in post: a full panel recording, event recap, and best practices.
Recent LGBTQ+ History Highlights in the U.S.
June 7, 2022
We credit those who have fought before us, who advocate and carry the weight of social justice labor in this moment, and the next generation of leaders who will continue the LGBTQ+ liberation movement for years to come. In honor of Pride Month, let’s celebrate five major LGBTQ+ milestones of the last decade, together.
Easy Wins for Your ERG: Pride Edition
June 6, 2022
Each June, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are often asked to drive their organizations’ recognition of Pride. While this seems intimidating, we’re here to say it doesn’t need to be a lot of work! We have 5 easy ways that your ERG can make an impact.
2022 LGBTQ+ Pride Event Calendar
June 1, 2022
It is officially Pride Month, and PIOW is bringing you a calendar of New England’s 2022 LGBTQ+ Pride events! Read on for details on Pride events near you.
Introducing New Board Members
May 30, 2022
Pride Season is here and our team is growing. We are excited to take this opportunity to introduce you to the newest members joining our Board of Directors this June!
3 Tips for Leading Successful Self-Identification Campaigns
May 11, 2022
Implementing a robust, ongoing self-identification program in your organization can be a significant milestone in your journey to developing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce. In this blog post, we’ll review key steps, discussed during a recent Pride In Our Workplace roundtable of HR and DEI leaders, to ensure your self-identification campaign is a success.
Apply Now for a PIOW Community Grant!
April 13, 2022
We are proud to announce the launch of the new Pride in Our Workplace Community Grant Program. Starting April 13, 2022, Pride in Our Workplace is inviting early-stage LGBTQ+ nonprofits to apply to receive small capital grants aimed at bolstering the workforce capacity of community-serving organizations.
PIOW Newsletter: March 2022
March 17, 2022
Our team has accomplished so much this year and we are excited to share all we’ve been working on. Read PIOW’s March newsletter to learn about upcoming events, impactful resources, and ways we can all continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ workplace equity across industries.
Courageous Conversations: Innovation, Discomfort, and Intentionality with Chastity Bowick
February 28, 2022
We are closing out Black History Month 2022 with episode three of PIOW’s Courageous Conversations series featuring the Transgender Emergency Fund’s Chastity Bowick. In this conversation, Chastity shares her own story navigating identity, community tensions, and recognizing one’s own worth in a society that often tries to silence and stagnate LGBTQ+ and Black individuals.
Courageous Conversations: Difference, Solidarity, and Accountability with Keith Marion
February 17, 2022
We were thrilled to sit down with Keith during Black History Month to discuss how he grounds his DEI leadership strategy within a nuanced understanding of difference and his own identity as an LGBTQ+ ally and Black man. Jonathan and Kieth model the type of courageous conversations we all need to begin having with one another, through which we can better recognize our communities’ intersections to drive personal growth and societal change. Join us in watching this dynamic discussion.
Courageous Conversations: Black History, Community, and Navigating Identity with Beth Chandler
February 10, 2022
Courageous Conversations highlights complex societal dynamics that influence our relationships, professional opportunities, and quality of life. Our 2022 BHM series celebrates Black LGBTQ+ leaders and the contributions they make towards our collective progression.
PIOW 2021 Impact Report and 2022 Goal Setting
January 10, 2022
After an incredible year of programming and development, we are excited to share our first impact report with a preview of upcoming initiatives that will fuel the continued growth of our organization. Join us in looking back at our 2021 accomplishments and recognizing our goals for 2022.
8 Lessons for Building Resilient Teams: HR, DEI, and ERG Toolkit
December 6, 2021
Participants in our Building Resilient Organizations Panel shared best practices in prioritizing a company-wide commitment to DEI to better support the needs of diverse employees. Check out the event recording and continue reading for eight lessons you can implement in your own workplace.
November Newsletter: Events and Updates
November 8, 2021
Fall is in the air! Read about this quarter’s upcoming events, community resources, and more in PIOW’s November Newsletter!
July Newsletter: Best Practices in Inclusion and Allyship
July 20, 2021
We hope that you had an incredible Pride month in June, and we’re excited to be able to share our latest resources to help you and your teams continue to celebrate LGBTQ+ professionals year-round!
The Do’s and Don’ts of Trans Allyship
July 18, 2021
In May and June, we were joined by two panels of gender-diverse professionals and industry leaders to explore best practices in workplace inclusion. We learned that allyship is an ongoing practice of educating oneself, listening to understand the needs of others, and taking action to advocate for those in the community you’re trying to support. However we identify individually, allyship is something that we all must work towards together.
Balancing the Burden of Education with Trevor Boylston
July 17, 2021
As a panelist on the Learning from Lived Experience Panel, Trevor spoke to the challenges of existing as an out transgender man in professional spaces, as well as the opportunities for learning and change that can present themselves when you choose to share your identity with those around you.
Trans Workplace Inclusion Series – Recap and Resources
July 16, 2021
Drawing from the lived experience of trans professionals and industry leaders, PIOW’s Trans Workplace Inclusion Series explored the complexities of coming out and transitioning in professional spaces, strategies for seeking and signaling allyship, and the need to back inclusion policies with consistent trans-affirming practices.
LGBTQ+ Allyship Checklist and Educational Resources
June 30, 2021
The end of June marks the end of LGBTQ+ Pride month, but it shouldn’t mark the end of LGBTQ+ allyship. As this month comes to a close, PIOW encourages everyone to commit or recommit to supporting all members of the LGBTQ+ community year-round. Not sure where to start? Our team created an LGBTQ+ allyship checklist to meet you wherever you are in your allyship journey.
Expanding our Board
June 27, 2021
After a year of organizational growth, our team is excited to announce that we have welcomed six members onto our Board of Directors. Without further ado, join us in welcoming the newest members of the PIOW team!
Celebration, Education, and Accountability on Juneteenth
June 18, 2021
Progress towards a more equitable future can begin when we center Black LGBTQ+ individuals, experiences, and histories in our collective advocacy. By deepening our understanding of the systemic oppression faced by Black and marginalized communities, we become better equipped to push for larger workplace and societal change.
Newsletter: Spring Updates and Events
April 21, 2021
Registration is now open for the PIOW Trans Workplace Inclusion Series. In this quarter’s newsletter we talk about recent and upcoming events, reflect on racial equity, and share some of the ways our organization is growing.
Opening Dialogues on Racial Equity
April 16, 2021
How can individuals begin to address racial inequities at work? What steps can we take to ensure the creation of more equitable spaces for all employees in our organizations? In June and October of 2020, Pride in Our Workplace posed these questions to community leaders in the two-part virtual panel series titled, The Intersection of LGBTQ+ Equality and Racial Justice.
Data-Driven DEI Strategies
March 16, 2021
During February’s Cope & Hope virtual event, PIOW President John Basile had the opportunity to interview Cogo Labs’ Braden Marstaller. Although Braden is still early in his career, he is already leading his ERG, pushing innovative DEI solutions, and championing LGBTQ+ inclusion at work.
Coping & Hoping as a Community
March 9, 2021
Pride in Our Workplace invited LGBTQ+ and allied professionals to share their strategies for coping, staying hopeful, and continuing to advocate for more equitable spaces.
Newsletter: 2020 Year in Review
January 7, 2021
The PIOW team is excited to share our first official newsletter. Last year, we gathered DEI executives, HR professionals, and ERG representatives to share best practices in leadership, center LGBTQ+ perspectives on timely issues, and build a capacity for growth and understanding within the organizations we serve.
Looking for more? Visit the PIOW Resource page.