Foley Pride Month Program: Understanding and Supporting Expansive LGBTQ+ Identities
In honor of Pride Month, Foley & Lardner welcomed back PFLAG National for the third year in a row to help us continue our journey of understanding. This year’s virtual workshop for all firm members, titled “What the +?: Understanding and Supporting Expansive LGBTQ+ Identities,” was held on June 7 and led by PFLAG Learning & Inclusion Manager Jamie Henkel (she/her).
Henkel set the stage with a brief overview of PFLAG, which was founded in 1973 by parents and allies seeking a way to use their voices to advance the conversation around LGBTQ+ equality. She encouraged attendees to treat the workshop as a safe learning space, assume we each can learn from anyone, and navigate disagreements with kindness. Henkel was joined by PFLAG Learning & Inclusion Coordinator Mackenzie Harte (they/them), who facilitated an interactive Q&A throughout the program.
The workshop focused on ways to demonstrate allyship toward individuals who hold less commonly understood LGBTQ+ identities and create a welcoming, inclusive, and empowering workplace culture. Henkel began the program with a review of the core terminology related to sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
“There are limitations to the traditional binary male / female model in explaining fluidity in non-binary identities like pansexual, aromantic, genderqueer, and intersex.” Henkel said. “PFLAG wants to challenge everyone to use a more complex model.”
The remainder of the program featured an explanation of some of the identities that are often considered to be a part of “the plus,” discussion of the experiences of and ways to demonstrate allyship to individuals who hold these identities, and considerations for developing effective programming focused on these identities.
Regarding expansive gender identities, for example, Henkel talked about the importance of using and respecting pronouns to be a better ally to individuals who identify as nonbinary. In your interactions with others, she said, lead with your pronouns and refrain from making gendered comments. And if you make a mistake, acknowledge, correct, and move on.
Additional tips Henkel provided for demonstrating allyship to individuals who hold these identities were:
- use inclusive language (e.g., not gay marriage but marriage equality),
- don’t perpetuate myths (e.g., they are going through a phase),
- don’t assume everyone has sexual/romantic attractions (e.g., I guess you haven’t met the right person),
- recognize diversity within these communities, and
- step up and speak up.
She closed out the program with some final thoughts for consideration and reflection.
“Often you will hear someone say: ‘When I was your age, there was no binary, intersex, fill in the blank.’ Instead of bemoaning how things have changed, we should be celebrating the fact that people with expansive identities who used to stay closeted their entire lives now feel safe and affirmed enough that they can share who they truly are.”
This program was presented by Foley’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group. Follow the link to learn more about Diversity & Inclusion at the firm.
Author(s)

Alexis P. Robertson
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
[email protected]