Search Results

Creativity We all operate in a highly competitive, global environment; making creativity crucial. Creativity isn't just artistic talent, but the ability to problem solve, spot patterns, imagine, generate big ideas and think outside the box. Creative thinking and intuition based decision making are powerful differentiators in business and in life. Creativity is innate to humanity, and is an important part of our humanity. We are creative when conditions in our minds are just right. When we have access to our intellect, knowledge, and experience, our brains can light up with new idea. Simply put, we need to be in the right emotional state in order to be creative — brain functioning affects creativity and how we feel affects brain functioning. But unfortunately, that’s easier said than done in today’s chronic stress-inducing society. If you want to tap into your innate creative abilities, you need to interrupt the cycle of negative thoughts and emotions. Start by creating more space for yourself and prioritising your wellbeing. Mindful creative activities can also be an invaluable outlet when we are seeking release from internalised and external stresses. See: Mindfulness & Stress. < Back to Glossary

Tucking Hiding external genitalia so that they are not visible in tight clothing. For many trans people tucking is a 'do-it-yourself' option for changing your appearance so that it matches your gender expression. < Back to Glossary

Polyamory The practice of engaging in multiple romantic or sexual relationships, with the consent of all the people involved. < Back to Glossary

Attraction When we hear "attraction" we tend to think of romantic or sexual attraction, but there are many other types of attraction that we can feel. Sexual Attraction – Attraction, arousal and desire for sex, often caused by physical traits. Romantic Attraction – Emotional attraction and a desire to be romantically involved with someone, not inherently sexual. Alterous Attraction – Desire for emotional closeness. Aesthetic Attraction – Attracted to the appearance of a person, that is not inherently romantic or sexual. Sensual Attraction – A desire for physical contact short of actual sex. Emotional Attraction – Attraction to a person’s soul, personality, mind, dreams, and heart Intellectual Attraction – Attraction to a person’s intelligence See also: Sexuality, Orientation < Back to Glossary

(she/they) Jossy Jaycoff Jossy is a Visual Artist and LGBTQ+ Rights Activist with a special focus on Non-Binary Trans Identities. She is also a Communicator, Model, Writer, Actress and International Host promoting Queer culture from platforms such as Boiler Room, British Fashion Council, Resident Advisor, Primavera Sound and Soho House. She has worked with the Ministry of Equality of the Spanish Government to help development “La Ley Trans Estatal” (the Trans Law), one of only a few activists involved in this historic legislative change. Jossy is committed to taking spaces that are not created for gender variant people, along with the promotion and development of new legislatures. Jossy Jaycoff Angulo Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. 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

URM An abbreviation for Under-Represented Minorities. Some institutions have defined sub-groups within larger racial/ethnic minority groups that are particularly under-represented relative to their size. For example, in a given field, Mexican-Americans may be an under-represented minority, even if Hispanic people are otherwise proportionately represented. < Back to Glossary

Platonic A platonic relationship is one with no romantic or sexual features, but it means more than “just friends.” According to the ancient philosopher Plato, for whom the concept is named, this bond is a type of love experienced when we identify positive qualities we feel complete us, within another person. < Back to Glossary

Bodily Autonomy Bodily autonomy is the right to make decisions about your own body. The bodily autonomy of women and trans people is often targeted politically through legislation that targets abortion rights and gender transition. It is essential that we have the final say on decisions about our bodies. < Back to Glossary

Role Model A role model is someone to be looked up to, who sets an example for those around them. Role models are important for our self-development as they provide us with an ideal to aspire to that will help us shape our goals, values and ambitions. See: Queer Leadership and Change-Maker. < Back to Glossary

(she/her) Louise Lou is the co-CEO of Pride Outside CIC, an award winning social enterprise founded with her partner Ellis. Pride Outside’s mission is to create a world where all LGBTQ+ people are safe and well and they do this through their Learning and Wellbeing programmes. Pride Outside works with organisations internationally to provide specialist LGBTQ+ Inclusion training and consultancy and use their profits to fund their wellbeing programme, which has now helped over 2,000 LGBTQ+ people in Scotland. Lou is passionate about the power of community and nature for collective healing, after her own mental health recovery journey. Louise Beardsmore Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. 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

Values Values are individual beliefs that motivate people to act one way or another. They serve as a guide for human behaviour - the guardrails by which we live our lives. Generally, people are predisposed to adopt the values that they are raised with. People also tend to believe that those values are “right” because they are the values of their particular culture. See: Purpose. < Back to Glossary

Hypervigilance Hypervigilance is an individual’s heightened awareness to threat or potential threats in their surroundings. Living with hypervigilance can be exhausting, causing individuals to constantly be on alert or perceive threats when they are not there. Hypervigilance can manifest as withdrawing from social situations, concealing one’s identity or constantly scanning environments for perceived threats. People from historically marginalised backgrounds often develop hypervigilance due to chronic exposure to stigma, discrimination and violence. The cumulative negative mental health effects on marginalised people as a result of their identity is known as “minority stress”, and it is particularly common in individuals who have multiple intersectional marginalised identities. < Back to Glossary

(she/her) Mercedes Mercedes is a Black Honduran, queer woman and equity strategist at Google . With over a decade of experience in the social justice and education field, Mercedes has worked tirelessly to provide equitable opportunities for marginalized communities globally. At Google , she centers equity across hiring, development, progression, and retention in her efforts to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion plans. Mercedes is also pursuing an MSc in gender, sexuality, and society at Birkbeck in London and enjoys critiquing movies, practicing yoga, and hiking. As an expert in topics related to DEI, including anti-racism, leadership, intersectionality, and community building, Mercedes is committed to making a positive impact in the world through her work. Mercedes Jenkins Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. 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

Pluralism Cultural pluralism is a term used when smaller groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities, whereby their values and practices are accepted by the dominant culture, provided such are consistent with the laws and values of the wider society. < Back to Glossary

Perspective Perspective helps us to understand situations from other positions, to consider other beliefs, experiences and view points. This gives us a better understanding and greater empathy. It reduces bias, judgement and reduces conflict. See: Introspection, Reflection and Empathy. < Back to Glossary

(he/him) Ed Ed's passion for social justice was shaped by growing up in Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles. As a gay Catholic, he experienced first-hand the challenges of inequality, prejudice, and conflict, which drove his commitment to combat these issues. Ed is a cis, white, gay man who is married and has recently adopted his son Ashton. He is the founder and CEO of Inclusion Crowd and the founder of Inclusion Earth , an International Inclusion Think Tank. Ed's commercial background is in transformation and change, which he combines with his expertise in recruitment, hiring, and retention practices to drive authentic, practical, and radical ED&I performance across various sectors. Ed Jervis Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. 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

Cancel Cancel culture or call-out culture is a phrase contemporary to the late 2010s and early 2020s used to refer to a form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles – whether it be online, on social media, or in person. Those subject to this ostracism are said to have been "cancelled". < Back to Glossary

(She/They/Jen) Jen Jen, a genderfluid and pansexual individual from Germany, was born into a working-class family and managed to complete a master’s degree from university. Despite being straight-passing and white, they have faced mental health issues such as depression. Jen is a DEI speaker focusing on LGBTQIA+ topics and tackling intersectional correlations. They speak from both places, being part of a marginalized group as well as knowing and using their privileges as an ally. In addition, Jen is an expert in inclusive leadership and co-chairs the LGBTQIA+ inclusion employee resource group of an international company with about 50,000 employees. Their passion and main objectives are bringing people together, creating a better world for marginalized communities, and building allyship. Jen's expertise extends to language and terminology surrounding marginalized communities and their identities. They are also a strong advocate for addiction recovery and self-empowerment. Through community building and culture change, Jen hopes to create a more inclusive and accepting workplace for all individuals. Additionally, Jen has been honored as a Prout Performer by the Prout at Work Foundation in 2022, highlighting their dedication and impact in the field of DEI. Jennifer Polzin Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. 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

(he/they) Erdem Erdem, originally from Istanbul, Turkey, is a queer activist who has overcome numerous challenges such as constant bullying and discrimination. They hold a degree in Sociology with a thesis on Queer Theory and Fashion. In 2015, Erdem moved to Paris, where they lived for seven years before relocating to Barcelona in 2021. While working a 9 to 5 job, Erdem also performs drag shows at night as Madame Fontaine. Erdem has experience in culture change and is dedicated to creating a more inclusive world for marginalized individuals. They also specialize in trauma-informed care and aim to support individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives. Erdem Onel Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. 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

(she/her) Lisa Lisa, a queer woman working in STEM, leads the LGBTQ+ network at a leading consumer goods company, while supporting research and development for pain management. Lisa has cultivated a diverse lead team for the network, through which they have influenced real change not just for the company's LGBTQ+ employees, but reverberating further across all other DE&I networks and all employees within the business. Her work has driven change through initiatives for LGBTQ+ inclusion and against racism, ableism and sexism and, through this, updating corporate policies and practicing openness inside the organisation and with partner businesses. Lisa Cowling Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. 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