SOURCE: AEG
DESCRIPTION:
In recognition of Pride Month, AEG hosted a panel discussion about how to create inclusive and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ community. Moderated by Sam Fernandez, VP of Partnership Activations, at AEG and one of the executive sponsors of the PRIDE@AEG Employee Network Group, the discussion featured Stacy Lentz, CEO & Co-Founder, Stonewall Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI) and Jennifer Brown, Founder & CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting.
The event follows SIGBI’s recent announcement about the launch of its new LGBTQ+ Safe Space certification program which will be rolled out starting in June 2022 to entertainment venues, food and beverage locations, stores, businesses, and other public venues, so they can become certified as a Safe Space for LGBTQ+ members of the community. In addition to the criteria the businesses and venues must meet to become a Certified Safe Space, there is a training component that was designed by Jennifer Brown Consulting that all employees must complete to ensure an inclusive environment.
The Safe Space initiative was launched in response to a survey SIGBI conducted that uncovered that 89% of the LGBTQ+ community believe that most spaces are not aware that LGBTQ+ people feel unsafe, and 97% believe the LGBTQ+ community would benefit from more safe spaces.
“AEG is committed to offering welcoming and safe environments for both our employees and fans of our events,” said Sam Fernandez. “We hope that through conversations like this panel discussion, we can help people to deepen their understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences and give them tools to foster more inclusive spaces.”
The Stonewall Inn has long been a global beacon of hope and is seen as one of the original safe spaces and community centers for the LGBTQA+ community for over 50 years. The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative is inspired by the struggles and ideals of the LGBTQA+ rights movement born from the Stonewall Inn Rebellion of 1969. Through awareness campaigns, educational programming, fundraising, and candid public dialogue, The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative supports grassroots organizations and marginalized communities across the globe with a focus on those where progress toward equality has been slow and spreading the Stonewall Inn Legacy to places where it is most needed.
KEYWORDS: AEG, Stonewall Gives Back Initiative, SIGBI, jennifer brown consulting
