The Future of Gender Equity

The Inclusion Bites Podcast

Gender Equity and Inclusive Workplaces: Moving from Performative Acts to Authentic Support

Valentina Jaramillo illuminates the future of gender equity by addressing the pitfalls of rainbow washing, advocating for genuine inclusion, and stressing the importance of pay equity and inclusive language to empower all gender identities in the wor

In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood engages with Valentina Jaramillo to explore "The Future of Gender Equity". Valentina sheds light on the pervasive issue of "rainbow washing" by companies, which superficially support the LGBTQ+ community without genuine actions. Joanne and Valentina examine the importance of authentic company support and its positive impacts on employee morale and retention. The conversation touches on the necessity for pay equity, transparent pay structures, and fostering discussions about gender equity within workplaces.

Valentina Jaramillo is an empowerment catalyst and inclusion advocate, dedicated to developing inclusive gender equity strategies for organisations. Valentina's personal journey of discovering their true identity at the age of 40, despite growing up in Colombia where non-binary identities were not recognised, fuels their passion for advocacy. Valentina stands as a beacon for inclusive language, policies, and spaces, promoting gender-neutral restrooms, and emphasising the importance of genuine support for all gender identities, including non-binary, agender, and gender non-conforming individuals.

The episode delves into challenges related to the use of pronouns, discussing how resistance from others persists. Joanne and Valentina recount experiences of being disregarded by recruiters on LinkedIn for listing pronouns and facing the need to conform while travelling. They explore the broader issues of inclusivity in language and the impact of traditional gender roles, highlighting the need for progressive changes to foster a welcoming environment for everyone.

Joanne and Valentina also address the pink tax, gender stereotypes in marketing, and the performative activism often seen during Pride season. They call for continuous advocacy and support for diversity within organisations, extending beyond superficial gestures to meaningful actions that drive change. The episode wraps up with a heartfelt call to listeners to engage in genuine support and inclusion, encouraging them to subscribe and share their thoughts and stories.

A key takeaway from this episode is the emphasis on authentic, ongoing support for gender equity, and the need for inclusive language and policies that reflect genuine intentions. Listeners will gain valuable insights into fostering an inclusive workplace culture, the importance of addressing gender disparities, and the challenges and triumphs of gender nonconforming individuals. This episode serves as a call to action for everyone committed to driving gender equity and inclusion forward.

Published: 26.09.2024 Recorded: 25.06.2024 Duration: 1:00:58 Downloads: 38

Shownotes:

• AI Extracts and Interpretations
• The Inclusion Bites Podcast #128: The3 Future of Gender Equity
• Other Links
• SEE Change Happen: The Inclusive Culture Experts — seechangehappen.co.uk
• Inclusion Bites Podcast on YouTube

Clips, Quotes and Hooks

The Benefits of Diverse Identities in the Workplace: “Diverse identities in the workplace bring they increase profit, they retain talent, they increase productivity. So we already know the benefits.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:08:19 → 00:08:31]

Future Equity Concerns: “We should be pulling putting everyone up trying to get to that equity for everyone, and that’s where I see the issue that it’s not that conversation is still not happening.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:11:28 → 00:11:39]

Corporate Inclusion Challenges: “So 1 of the things that I I know that happens in a lot of corporate or that started to happen is that the the the ERGs, the women ERD was suddenly kind of they they put all the other genders in there, but it was kind of like, oh, we don’t know what to do with you, so let’s just tie them up here.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:12:40 → 00:12:57]

Inclusive Language Debate in Spanish-Speaking Countries: “He is actually explaining why their course and why the institute is advocating for inclusive language in Spanish, whether it’s an x instead of a or o or an e, and it’s just because language evolves and it changes.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:29:06 → 00:29:12]

Language and Inclusivity: “I have a group of friends that are very woke, and they do their effort, and they do it, and by now, they’re used to.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:33:58 → 00:34:05]

Gender Equity Strategies: “Gathering the data, making sure that they are using inclusive policies, that people use inclusive language for everyone, that trying to to start to build even in these small spaces, that ground start.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:42:18 → 00:42:31]

Viral Topic: Inclusivity in Workplace Policies: “It is a simple thing, but it is also not a simple thing.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:43:10 → 00:43:13]

Topic: The Impact of Oppressive Systems on Gender Identity
“And again, I do believe that the the patriarchy and the oppressive system wants us to keep fighting because if they make us fight against each other, they call the power.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:45:47 → 00:45:58]

The Social Construct of Gender: “But to people who are using it, in this case, women who are using this rhetoric against trans women, it’s like, seriously? Like, what what part of your femininity is being aggravated because of a trans woman?”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:47:24 → 00:47:40]

The Impact of Diversity on Companies’ Success: “I think we by now, we can start to notice and really see those companies and if they haven’t figured it out, and they will probably start to see it in their revenue also because and in the way they attract people and talent and retain their talent because, and again, every generation is becoming even more queer.”
— Valentina Jaramillo [00:53:05 → 00:53:25]

Definition of Terms Used

Rainbow Washing

• Definition: Rainbow washing refers to the practice where companies superficially show support for the LGBTQ+ community, typically through marketing and promotional materials, without enacting any substantive changes or support for the community.
• Relevance: This term is significant as it highlights the difference between genuine inclusion efforts and superficial gestures that are often used to capitalise on the LGBTQ+ market without meaningful commitment.
• Examples: Changing a company logo to rainbow colours during Pride month without supporting any LGBTQ+ initiatives or policies internally.
• Related Terms: Performative Activism, Pink Washing, Tokenism
• Common Misconceptions: People often assume that rainbow washing is a positive step towards inclusion; however, it overlooks the lack of authentic support and change within the organisation.

Pay Equity

• Definition: Pay equity involves ensuring that employees are paid fairly and equally for the same or equivalent work, irrespective of their gender, race, or other characteristics.
• Relevance: Pay equity is crucial for fostering a fair and inclusive workplace, reducing wage gaps, and promoting employee morale and retention.
• Examples: Conducting regular pay audits to identify disparities, implementing transparent pay scales, and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
• Related Terms: Wage Gap, Salary Transparency, Equal Pay, Fair Compensation
• Common Misconceptions: Many believe that pay equity only addresses gender pay gaps, but it encompasses all forms of pay disparities, including those based on race and other factors.

Inclusive Language

• Definition: Inclusive language is a way of communicating that avoids potentially offending or excluding individuals based on their gender, race, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
• Relevance: Using inclusive language is vital in creating environments where all individuals feel respected and valued, helping to mitigate discrimination and promote equity.
• Examples: Using ‘they/them’ pronouns, replacing ‘chairman’ with ‘chair’ or ‘chairperson’, and avoiding gender-specific terms when unnecessary.
• Related Terms: Gender-Neutral Language, Non-Binary Pronouns, Politically Correct Language
• Common Misconceptions: Some think that inclusive language is merely a trend or unnecessary political correctness, but it plays a significant role in fostering inclusivity and respect.

Pink Tax

• Definition: The pink tax refers to the tendency for products marketed towards women to be more expensive than similar products marketed towards men.
• Relevance: Highlighting the pink tax is important in addressing and challenging gender-based pricing discrimination, which contributes to economic inequality.
• Examples: Women’s razors costing more than men’s razors, or women’s personal care products being priced higher than men’s versions of the same products.
• Related Terms: Gender Pricing, Price Discrimination, Consumer Rights
• Common Misconceptions: Many believe the pink tax is a myth or an exaggerated issue, but numerous studies have documented its prevalence across various product categories.

Gender Spectrum

• Definition: The gender spectrum is a concept that views gender as a continuum, rather than a binary classification of male and female. It recognises a range of gender identities beyond the traditional binary framework.
• Relevance: Understanding the gender spectrum is crucial for creating inclusive environments that respect and support diverse gender identities and expressions.
• Examples: Non-binary, gender fluid, Agender, and genderqueer identities all fall within the gender spectrum.
• Related Terms: Gender Identity, Non-binary, Gender Non-Conforming
• Common Misconceptions: A common misconception is that there are only two genders, male and female. The gender spectrum challenges this notion, showing that gender is more complex and varied.

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Brought to you by your host

Joanne Lockwood SEE Change Happen

A huge thank you to our wonderful guest

Valentina Jaramillo

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