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- Chromosome Mosaic
Chromosome Mosaic When someone has two or more sets of cells that differ genetically from one another. Intersex people possess chromosomal mosaics. < Back to Glossary
- Guilt
Guilt Guilt arises when we think we have done damage to something, or to someone else. Many LGBTQ+ people carry this weighted fear of putting our family's reputation and/or safety in jeopardy, dishonouring cultural and religious values, or failing to meet a caregivers' expectations, etc.. This feeling also impacts the way we see ourselves and communicate with others - whether this be in social or professional settings - and often reinforces (internalised) shame. See: Shame, Perfectionism, Courageous Communication, Coming Out and Family. < Back to Glossary
- Polo Lonergan
(they/them) Polo Polo is a queer, non-binary person navigating the intersection of activism and corporate culture. With years of experience as a queer community builder in their area of Canada, Polo is focused on bringing the same enthusiasm and support to the workplace as an out(-spoken) agender/non-binary person. Originally from a small island in the UK, Polo now resides outside of Toronto with their wife and many animal companions. In their down time, Polo channels their passion for language and literature by learning new languages and devouring countless books. Additionally, Polo is an experienced speaker and can provide valuable insights on topics such as language and terminology, workplace allyship, LGBTQ+ discrimination, identity, and culture change. Polo Lonergan Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... The Future of Intersex Inclusion | Awo Dufie. Redefining Resilience: Self-Care for Queer Career Women. The World Needs More LGBTQ+ Leaders. Create Space for Change. We work with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke DEI solutions. Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce insights and craft content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Discover our bespoke corporate solutions... Work with us
Our Library (194)
- The Future of Intersex Inclusion | Awo Dufie.
Intersex researcher and activist Awo Dufie shares her perspective on intersex inclusion, identity and advocacy in the Global South and beyond. How has being intersex shaped the way you move through the world? Being an intersex person makes you see the world very differently from a lot of people and that often impacts how you navigate it. Personally, I live in a society that largely understands gender and sex as a binary and automatically assumes you are either a cisheterosexual man or woman. If you are like me and do not fit into such neat binaries, you constantly face consequences which are not always positive. "The only way I can describe it is like being an uninvited guest at a table for two (man and woman), except this table is everywhere you go. Government institutions? Table for 2. Hospital services? Table for 2. Public restrooms? You answer." - Awo Dufie As a third party in a position like this you resist in ways you can and also employ conforming to the status quo if it guarantees your safety. For instance, as an intersex and trans woman, one of my major ways of resistance is in my self expression, my work, and my determination to curate and document queer lives as much as I can. On the other hand my need for safety and self preservation also requires that sometimes I compromise my self expression or pretend to be my assigned sex. My identity and experiences as an intersex person who has had to thread between masculinity, femininity and what constitutes and differentiate both has allowed me to critically interrogate and ask why society is shaped the way it is and demand for things to change. How do the lived experiences of intersex people in the global south differ to those in the global north? The lived experiences of intersex people vary everywhere, but our dreams intersect. I believe at the core of it, all of us in the global south and north collectively dream and desire a world where intersex and other queer people are accepted and we thrive. This dream to see one another thrive is the reason for our fierce advocacy. I also think we share a collective experience of resisting several gender binary expectations and norms in our own unique ways, and within these ways of resisting we identify common struggles such as our shared experiences with healthcare systems, intersex genital mutilation, intersex discrimination, and legal reforms that are inclusive of intersex people. On another hand the experiences of intersex people in the global south may vary largely due to several factors, such as our cultural meaning-making of what the intersex body represents as well as the combined advocacy strategies we employ to mobilise. Intersex bodies, especially if they do not pass as masculine or feminine or are considered unconventional, are subjected to taboos as means through which people made meaning in the absence of scientific evidence. This has fuelled social stigma which has filtered into public discourses, policies, and even institutions such as healthcare and educational systems. "Until recently physicians in a lot of countries in Africa considered several unconscionable genital mutilation surgeries perfectly normal. They did everything they deemed necessary to force perfectly healthy intersex people into heteronormative boxes." - Awo Dufie People from the intersex community fiercely employ a bottom-up advocacy strategy which recognizes that true power to effect change comes from intersex people ourselves. Thus intersex people from the global south are empowered to share their own stories to actively engage allies, opinion leaders and policy makers. Intersex people also equally employ a top-down approach and engage directly with authorities in positions of power. This year, I have been privileged to attend a few of such meetings and what both approaches indicate is that intersex Africans are increasingly mobilising and taking back power by rejecting cisheteronormative norms. How has intersex advocacy shaped your life? "The start of my advocacy was recognizing and internalising the idea that just because my body might have been different, did not mean it was abnormal and deserved to be treated like an abomination. It is a powerful realisation that comes from gradually understanding that you find yourself in a society that you really do not have any place in. It encourages you to resist in any way possible and put your body on the line - because why not if your body is already on the line anyway?" - Awo Dufie This recognition similarly binds a large community of intersex people in Ghana and West Africa who continue to grow every passing day, a community I deeply cherish and appreciate for its care and solidarity to intersex people with marginalised genders. The Intersex Movement Ghana (whose executive committee I am a part of), Intersex Kenya, and Intersex Nigeria have done a great job supporting intersex people to mobilise and make important demands such as demanding an end to intersex genital mutilation and discrimination against intersex people, and through this they have created such an amazing and empowered community of intersex people who support and cheer me on. That is a huge motivation and reminder to keep on doing the work I do. What does the future of intersex inclusion look like to you? The intersex movement in the Global South, especially East and West Africa, continues to make immense progress that I am extremely proud of. In Ghana, the Intersex Movement Ghana and KeyWatch Ghana continue to work hard to mobilise the intersex community, advocate, and mobilise sympathisers and allies. They worked hard pushing back against the legalised medical intervention on intersex bodies and they continue to organise a large number of local authorities and opinion leaders as allies of the intersex community. The Nigerian intersex community has similarly been mobilising and striving to advocate for the rights and well being of Intersex people in Nigeria. The Kenyan Intersex community of course continue to set the pace, as they have successfully lobbied the Kenyan government to recognize intersex as a third gender in Kenya. I continue to see monumental wins like these, especially observing how much intersex people continue to tirelessly mobilise and organise. The possibilities of this mobilising are endless, as it comes with several opportunities for legal reforms which will ban intersex genital mutilations, interventions, and discrimination against intersex people. Such mobilising also provides the opportunity for intersex people to be recognised as a third sex marker on official documents as has been done in Kenya. "It is my sincere hope that intersex advocacy in the global south will adopt a much more decolonial framework and approach which embodies and centres the entire experiences of intersex people, such as their everyday lives. It is important that we recognise the intersex living and experience as one that embodies all of our life experiences and not only what medical conditions we have and how much intersexphobia we experience." - Awo Dufie It would be dystopian to suggest that these achievements will come easy or even stand to be accomplished at all. The anti-abortion rights and anti-trans movements have focused on patrolling especially women’s bodies by constantly gatekeeping what and who a woman is. These groups whose efforts and donations extend to Africa continue to rollback and undo years of hard work and advocacy for intersex rights. Beatrice Masilingi, Christine Mboma, and Caster Semenya are a few intersex women who have unfortunately been victims of this recent roll back in trans/intersex rights and visibility. This speaks to just how intersectional intersex human rights are with the rights of trans people and how much this fight continues to be a fight for all marginalised queer people. Awo Dufie (she/her) Awo Dufie is a transgender and intersex researcher, writer and activist from Ghana. As a researcher, her works explore the history of the LGBTIQ community in Ghana and Africa. As an activist, she works to advocate for LGBTIQ elders through her project- Queer Elders Speak- a series where she interviews and documents the lived experiences of LGBTIQ elders in Africa. While you're here... Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletters so you can stay up to date!
- Redefining Resilience: Self-Care for Queer Career Women.
Sevi Koppe reflects on the story of Queer career woman Carol O'Keefe, a recent guest speaker at our Queer Women in Business event. In today's fast-paced corporate world, resilience is often framed as the ability to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity. Yet for many queer women, especially those navigating intersecting identities, resilience has a far more nuanced definition. This was the central theme at the launch of our meetup series for Queer Women in Business in London, where guest speaker Carol O'Keefe—an experienced banking professional and LGBTQ+ advocate—shared her journey, offering her refreshing take on the meaning of success, balancing self-care, and finding one’s place in the challenging corporate landscape. Redefining resilience. For Carol, resilience is not just about enduring hardship. It is about cultivating a mindset that embraces both personal well-being and professional ambition. Having spent 25 years in the banking industry, with 17 years at JPMorgan, Carol’s experience is a testament to the resilience required not just to survive, but to thrive as a queer woman in a male-dominated industry. When asked what resilience means to her, Carol’s response was striking: “Resilience, to me, is more than bouncing back from challenges. It’s about knowing when to step back, knowing when to prioritise your well-being, and understanding that success doesn’t always mean climbing the corporate ladder." - Carol O'Keefe Carol’s identity as a bisexual, autistic immigrant from Ireland has shaped this perspective. Like many queer women, she has faced the added pressure of proving herself in environments where she often felt she didn’t fully belong. "As a queer woman and an immigrant, I have often felt the need to work twice as hard to be seen as enough. But over time, I realised that resilience also means knowing when to say ‘no,’ when to focus on myself, and when to choose happiness over societal expectations." - Carol O'Keefe Navigating Intersectionality. "I’ve always had to navigate the complexities of being an outsider in multiple ways. As an autistic woman, I’ve often been misunderstood. As a bisexual woman, there’s sometimes been a lack of acceptance, even within the LGBTQ+ community. And as an immigrant, I’ve had to prove my worth in ways that others don’t always have to." - Carol O'Keefe Carol's story reflects the experiences of many queer women who must navigate the weight of their intersectional identities—whether it's race, disability, gender, or sexual orientation—in an industry that isn't always welcoming. For her, the key to balancing this pressure with self-care lies in recognizing the importance of diversity. "Diversity of thought and experience is invaluable to any business," Carol said. "I bring something unique to the table, and I’ve learned to see that as a strength, rather than a burden." The Power of Lateral Moves When we redefine what success can look like, we open the door to more fulfilling and sustainable ways of working. "Success isn’t always about moving up the ladder, sometimes, it’s about moving laterally, finding roles that align with your passions, and staying in positions where you can make a real impact without sacrificing your well-being. People are often surprised when you choose not to pursue higher-level roles, but for me, staying in a role I love, where I can indulge my passion for data, is more fulfilling than constantly chasing promotions." - Carol O'Keefe Self-care is often framed as a practice that is totally separate from one’s professional life, but for Carol, it has been an integral shaping force in her career decisions. One of the most impactful moments in her career came when she chose self-care over advancement. After years of working long hours, managing offshore teams, and advocating for fair pay, she realised she needed to step back and reevaluate her priorities. "I wanted to find a team where I could still contribute meaningfully, but without the emotional and physical toll that came with leadership positions. It was a decision rooted in self-care, and it’s one of the best I’ve made." This decision came about after a long process of self-reflection and lifestyle changes: "For a long time, I was overworking, trying to prove myself in ways that were unsustainable, but about three years ago, I started seeing a therapist and practising yoga. It helped me understand that my value isn’t tied to how hard I work or how much I achieve professionally." Carol believes that the industry needs to adjust to this new way of thinking, as more and more professionals reject traditional notions of success in favour of better aligning with their own goals. "There’s so much value in lateral moves and finding fulfilment in roles that align with your values, rather than constantly pushing for more responsibility." - Carol O'Keefe Identity, Belonging, and Career Challenges As an immigrant from Ireland, Carol has spent the majority of her career in the UK, and despite her professional success, she still grapples with questions of belonging. "Even though I’ve lived in the UK for nearly 30 years, when I talk about home, I still think of Ireland," she said. "But I’ve also learned that belonging doesn’t have to be tied to a physical place—it can be about finding your community, wherever you are." For queer women, that sense of community can be hard to find in traditional corporate environments. But Carol’s involvement in JPMorgan’s PRIDE Business Resource Group (BRG) helped her create a space where she could bring her whole self to work. "I started out as an ally because I wasn’t sure if being bi was enough to be part of the LGBTQ+ community at work, but over time, I became co-chair of the PRIDE EMEA network, and I realised that my identity as a bisexual woman is valid, and I deserve to take up space." - Carol O'Keefe Conclusion As Carol’s journey demonstrates, resilience for queer women in business is about more than just overcoming adversity—it’s about knowing when to prioritise yourself, when to push back against traditional definitions of success, and when to stand up for change. "Somebody has to stand when other people are sitting," Carol quoted, reflecting on her favourite motto. "Somebody has to speak when others are quiet." For queer women navigating the complexities of career and self-care, Carol’s message is clear: success is personal, resilience is multifaceted, and sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose yourself. Carol O'Keefe (she/her) Carol is a seasoned banking professional with 25 years of experience, including 17 years at JP Morgan. Currently, she serves as Control Manager in the Chief Data Office for Corporate Finance, TCIO, and ASI, where she channels her passion for data and continuous learning. Actively involved in JP Morgan’s PRIDE Business Resource Group, she served as EMEA Co-Chair and co-founded Women in Risk and Control, advancing inclusion across the industry. Her journey as a bi, immigrant, neurodiverse woman reflects her commitment to championing equality and inspiring future generations in banking. Sevi Koppe (she/her) Sevi Koppe is Community Director at We Create Space , as well as an international creative director and producer. She's worked for films and music festivals around the world, as a creative director, booking agent and a production manager. Her vision is queer and she's been curating international events since 2000 to promote LGBTQ+ visibility to mainstream audiences. Sevi works with venues around the world to coordinate exclusive events. Sevi studied queer media and spaces in Japan to understand what support is offered to minors inside and outside of the formal education system. While you're here... Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletters so you can stay up to date!
- The Heart of Growth: Reflecting on Trauma.
Through strong symbolism, Dr. Paul Taylor-Pitt takes us gently through the emotions and effects on our mindsets we can experience as a result of enduring minority stress. by Dr. Paul Taylor-Pitt Take a moment to feel your heart beat. You might do it in the conventional ‘two fingers on the wrist’ way, or the cinematic ‘finger on neck’ method which personally has never worked for me but looks very cool. If you can, see if you might still yourself to the point where you can sense your heart beating in your chest. Notice its rhythm. Its movement. Become aware of your heart’s determination to keep you alive. Your heart is both a muscle and a mentor. It is a barometer of your internal landscape. We talk about it in so many different ways to give words to emotions that otherwise have no language: heart felt, heart racing, heart breaking. But why the attention on the heart I hear you ask. This is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) not Valentine’s Day. Well my mission today is to encourage you to listen to the language your heart is speaking when you consider your relationship with and experiences of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and other forms of aggression, pain or abuse that we may have been subjected to just for existing as ourselves. How is your heart feeling about this? When I ask my heart, it seems like it’s initially too busy to reply. It’s on a treadmill (wearing a cute headband btw), while on the phone, signing documents and watching something on tv all at the same time. My heart is working hard. If I offer it the chance to come off the treadmill, sit down and breathe it initially resists it. There’s too much to do just to keep us alive! Slowing down feels counterproductive to all the productivity that I need to produce. After a little coaxing, it settles into a comfy chair, breathless and sweaty but starting to calm down. I reassure my heart that it’s ok to slow down for a while so we can have a chat. I ask how it’s doing at the moment. It pauses, closes it’s little heart eyes and checks in with itself. It says “I’m tired”. The world we live in values speed and productivity and FOMO and saying yes to everything. It’s exhausting. Our attention spans get shorter which makes it more difficult to be truly curious about stuff that doesn’t need to be done right now. Often with so many competing demands, the small voice of our heart asking us to make time for ourselves, or to slow down, gets ignored in the various voices competing for our attention. This can be a path to burnout or compassion fatigue. To truly hear our heart we must show ourselves compassion by slowing down and offering ourselves the gift of quiet space. Only then can our heart be honest with us. I tell my heart that I hear how tired it is. It gives a little sigh of relief. It tells me how it has had to build itself up so it doesn’t get hurt. It reminds me of the times someone called me a poof in the street, or I read a headline in the press that made me want to make myself smaller, or less. My heart gets a bit emotional when it talks about those lonely, quiet evenings as a child when I felt so alien in my own home and wondered if I would ever be happy as a queer person in a hostile world. Once my heart has blown its nose and had a mouthful of tea, it starts to smile, remembering some of the adventures we’ve been on together - particularly the ones where I listened to it and followed it. When it puts the tea down, I notice that its arm has quite a bit of definition to it. Welcome to the gun show! I tell my heart that it’s looking pretty buff and it blushes a little. Then it notices that actually, it’s pretty beefy. It has stamina and strength. It could probably throw a car if it came to it. All of those moments of stress, panic, doubt, fear, risk, trauma…they were like dumbbells for the heart. It picked them up, grunted, lifted them and became stronger even when it shook. My heart has never shrunk itself even when my head wanted it to. My weird, gay, unconventional heart has helped me grow despite - and sometimes thanks to - all of the potential pain that comes with living our authentic lives as queer folks. Growth through adversity is not only possible, it’s our right. Claiming the power that comes with realising this can liberate parts of ourselves that have wanted to break. Our hearts are strong. Our hearts can take it. As my heart gets back on the treadmill, it looks over it’s (quite defined) shoulder and gives me a cheeky wink. “I’ve got you” it says, getting on with its job of keeping me alive, surviving, growing and thriving. I take a sly look at its peachy heart ass and it speeds up a little, not quite racing but definitely pounding harder. Take a moment to check in with your heart again now. Maybe give it a little thank you for making you who you are today. Tell it you’ll visit again soon and maybe compliment it on its power. It’ll heart that. Dr Paul Taylor-Pitt (he/him) Paul is an award-winning Organisation Development Specialist, Mentor, Coach and Facilitator with three decades of professional experience to draw from. He was named one of HR Magazine's Most Influential Thinkers in 2022. You can find more information about Paul's work here . If you would like to book Paul as a speaker for a workshop or panel event, please get in touch with us via email at hello@wecreatespace.co While you're here... Did you know we consult with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here . We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here . New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!
Events (16)
- 19 November 2024 | 18:30London, UK
- 21 November 2024 | 16:00
- 26 November 2024 | 16:30