![\"Janet](\"http:\/\/www.totalengagementconsulting.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Janet-Mock.jpg\")
<\/a>Janet Mock, 2016 NC State SHRM Conference Keynote Speaker (photo from NC SHRM Conference website)<\/p><\/div>As a diversity consultant with a deep expertise in LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) diversity, I have often heard of young transgender activist and media superstar Janet Mock, but had never seen her. Therefore, I was thrilled with our North Carolina SHRM<\/strong><\/a> (Society of Human Resource Management) Conference planning committee scheduling Janet as this year\u2019s North Carolina kickoff keynote speaker. And the timing is perfect as more transgender people are visible in our work places and as North Carolina continues to struggle with the negative impacts of our horrific anti-trans, anti-gay HB2 bill. (see my recent blog on the five impacts of HB2 on our state.<\/strong><\/a>)<\/p>\n Janet\u2019s talk and her gracious telling of her personal story truly helped raise the awareness of what transgender lives are really about. I heard so many attendees exclaim that they were so moved and learned so much from Janet\u2019s keynote. Particularly poignant was her vulnerability in sharing her personal story, including how she totally lived as a woman in graduate school and early career before even disclosing she was transgender.<\/p>\n Some of Janet\u2019s key points included:<\/p>\n \u2022\tThat HR professionals need to take the lead in embracing the differences of others, building coalitions across differences, building a culture where differences are valued … this can be a huge strategic business advantage.<\/p>\n \u2022\tIn our ever increasing multi-cultural world, being different is becoming \u201cthe new normal.\u201d More people are embracing their difference instead of minimizing their differences to blend in.<\/p>\n \u2022\tAs a black, female, native-Hawaiian transgender millenial, Janet shared that she cannot fit into \u201cone box\u201d as which often happens with identifying someone\u2019s diversity. Many people now incorporate several aspects of diversity and difference.<\/p>\n \u2022\tTransgender individuals often have very difficult lives as they are thrown out of their homes and end up unemployed on the streets and in prison.<\/p>\n \u2022\tIssues are so often not addressed because we are afraid of difference. Instead we should ask \u201cwho is not in the room\u201d and create a space where there can be open dialogue among a diverse set up people.<\/p>\n \u2022\tHR professionals should invest time in reading about and learning about people living in their \u201cother-ness.\u201d<\/p>\n I join many others in thanking Janet for making her first trip to North Carolina during a time when our state laws are unwelcoming to and creating a hostile environment for transgender people.<\/p>\n # # # # #<\/p>\n From the NC State SHRM conference website with lots of links: Janet Mock<\/strong><\/a> is the New York Times bestselling author of Redefining Realness<\/strong><\/a> and the host of So POPular!<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 a weekly MSNBC digital series about culture. One of Oprah\u2019s \u201cSupersoul 100,\u201d<\/strong><\/a> she is a sought-after speaker<\/strong><\/a> and the founder of #GirlsLikeUs<\/strong><\/a>, a social media project that empowers trans women. Since 2011, she\u2019s become one of the most influential trans women and millennial leaders in media.<\/em><\/p>\n # # # # #<\/p>\n Take my 12-question organizational transgender awareness self-assessment<\/strong><\/a> to gauge how trans-inclusive your organization is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a diversity consultant with a deep expertise in LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) diversity, I have often heard of young transgender activist and media superstar Janet Mock, but had never seen her. Therefore, I was thrilled with our North … Continue reading