PIOW November '25 Newsletter

Happy Fall, PIOW Community!

As the holiday season approaches, we're looking forward to some great times with our community. From professional development to celebration, there’s plenty happening as we close out the year!

As we reflect on what we’ve accomplished together this year, we’re reminded that none of it is possible without you. Your involvement, advocacy, and generosity continue to power our mission, and soon, we’ll be sharing ways you can help sustain this momentum through our year-end giving campaign.

You’ll also find highlights from our latest blog, Beyond the Acronyms: Building ERGs That Truly Make an Impact, which dives into actionable strategies for ERG leaders to elevate impact and engagement.

We’re excited to share details on our upcoming Job Search Webinar – Leveling Up Your Job Search: Tools, Tips & Strategies for LGBTQ+ Talent, plus our End-of-Year Networking Gathering, co-hosted with some of Boston’s leading LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion groups.

Let’s finish 2025 strong - together.

PIOW Announcements

Consider PIOW in your end of year giving plans

As we approach the end of the year, we’ll be sending out a separate communication on PIOW’s annual end of year giving campaign and the impact your support makes. If you are beginning to plan your charitable contributions, we hope you’ll consider including Pride in Our Workplace. Be on the lookout for a Giving Tuesday communication in early December.

Your generosity directly fuels programming, community partnerships, and leadership development for LGBTQ+ individuals across Massachusetts.

If you’d like to make a gift today, you can do so here:

Donate 

PIOW now also offers matching gift lookup, so if your employer matches charitable donations, you can easily double or even triple your impact:
Check your match

Thank you for being part of this work — we truly couldn’t do it without you.

Check out our latest blog:

From Acronyms to Impact: Building ERGs That Truly Matter

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are powerful drivers of belonging, visibility, and culture change within organizations. But for ERGs to truly thrive, they need clarity of purpose, strong leadership support, and strategies that amplify impact—not just good intentions.

In our latest blog, we highlight key insights from Dr. Tom Bourdon’s “Maximizing ERG Effectiveness” workshop he conducted for PIOW sponsor organizations, including a practical framework ERG leaders can use to strengthen engagement, sharpen goals, and demonstrate real value.

Welcome to our newest sponsor!

We’re thrilled to welcome State Street back to PIOW as a returning sponsor! Their renewed support strengthens our shared commitment to building workplaces where LGBTQ+ talent can thrive, lead, and be fully seen.

We’re grateful for their continued partnership and look forward to collaborating in the year ahead to empower ERG leaders, elevate community voices, and create lasting impact across Massachusetts workplaces.

Welcome back, State Street! 🌈

PIOW Events

Job Search Webinar

💼 Leveling Up Your Job Search:💼

Tools, Tips & Strategies for LGBTQ+ Talent 

November 20 at 1 pm

Looking to take the next step in your career? Join us for a practical, interactive webinar designed to equip LGBTQ+ talent with the strategies, tools, and insider tips you need to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

The program will feature insights from HR leaders and recruiters on how to stand out, navigate challenges, and present your authentic self throughout the hiring process. We’ll also host breakout discussions tailored to different career stages and paths—whether you’re early in your journey, mid-career, exploring a transition, or managing a gap in experience.

You’ll walk away with actionable advice, new connections, and a clearer roadmap for your job search.

End of Year Networking Gathering with

Out in Finance, OUTbio, Out in Tech, and Out in Climate 

Due to limited capacity, this event will be invite-only, with PIOW’s invitations focused on ERG and DEIB leaders from our sponsor organizations. The other partner groups will be doing the same within their networks to ensure a rich mix of engaged and active leaders.

The evening will include intentional networking activities to help spark new relationships and collaborations you can carry into the new year.

Sponsors - be on the lookout for more details and invitations coming soon — we can’t wait to see the connections that grow from this event.

To learn more about PIOW sponsorship, please reach out to andy.rubinson@piow.org.

A big thank you to our host and event sponsor HarbourVest, who is welcoming us into their wonderful space.

Community Partners

Community Partner Announcements 
Check out the latest information and upcoming events

• Breaktime - Breaktime's mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by equipping young adults (associates) with the job and financial security they need to establish housing security.
  • Become a Career Navigator, providing an opportunity for Breaktime associates to interface with a professional in a career that they are themselves interested in and learn more about the professional fields they are looking to enter. 
• Gay & Lesbian Review - Check out the November-December'25 issue here.
• BALGY 
  
  • Harvest Dinner | Wednesday, November 26, 2025 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM UTC-5 | 28 Court Square
    Harvest Dinner is a free, intergenerational event open to all members of the community.  RSVP HERE.

• Queer History Boston (formerly The History Project)

  • Floriography | Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6 p.m ET | The Gibson House - In collaboration between The Gibson House and Queer History Boston get a chance to explore the Queer history of floral symbolism and Charlie Gibson's love of horticulture, and will end with a floral tea tasting! Register Here

  • Brewing Connections | Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11 a.m ET | The Pryde in Hyde Park - In collaboration with the Mayor's office, come delight at an intergenerational LGBTQ+ café for Conversation. Community. Connection. RSVP HERE.

  • Author Talk with Alice T. Friedman | December 4, 2025 at 7 p.m ET | Virtual via Zoom - Join art historian Alice T. Friedman, for everything modern art, jazz, and queer identity collided in dazzling style. Register here.

  • Boston Transgender Day of Remembrance 2025 November 18th - 21st | Multiple times + Venues RSVP FOR DETAILS
    Join Boston’s 26th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) Vigil and Community Events taking place November 18th to 21st, honoring transgender lives past, present, and future. RSVP HERE

  • Holiday Party | December 1, 2025 at 6 pm ET | Club Cafe Step out in your finest and join Queer History Boston for a sparkling evening of queer joy, reflection, and celebration. A night of connection, laughter, and maybe even a little dancing under the glittering lights. Get Tickets

• Boston Lesbigay Urban Foundation 
  
  • Check out BLU's new membership program, the Urban Unity Collective — a brand-new membership program designed to bring our LGBTQ+ family even closer. Join the Tribe!
  • Upcoming Events

    • Fall Fest | Nov 12 from 5pm to 8pm EST | 806 Massachusetts Avenue - Enjoy fun activities, connect with community resources, and take advantage of free STI testing—all in one place. Get tickets here.

    • Her Essence, Her Power | Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 6 p.m to 8:30 p.m | Fort Hill Bar & Grill
      A conversation around black woman’s health and the benefits of PreP while also debunking the myths. Get tickets here.
    • Thanksgiving Luncheon | November 27, 2025 | RSVP for Blu Foundation's annual Senior luncheon or to have a hot meal delivered to your home.
• Mass Transgender Political Coalition
  
  • Name Change Clinics: Ongoing name change clinics at various locations. Find dates and location times here. 
  • Webinar: Interwoven Histories: Indigenous and Transgender Journeys of Gender Diversity, November 12: 6-8pm Register
    
  • November 27: National Day of Mourning March @ Cole's Hill, Plymouth, MA, starting at 12pm
  • All programming information can be found linked here. Programs include: 
    • The Trans Leadership Academy supports trans and nonbinary people with workforce development, mentoring and training, and material and financial support in an affirming environment.
    • G.E.A.R. (Gender Euphoria and Affirmation Resources) provides trans and nonbinary people in Massachusetts with access to products, garments, and resources that affirm who they are at no cost.
    • REACH (Relief and Emergency Assistance for Community Hope) provides transgender and nonbinary people in Massachusetts with emergency funds for a variety of expenses.
    • The Identity Document Assistance Network (IDA Network) provides guidance, support and financial assistance for trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive people living in New England who are seeking to update their legal name and/or gender on federal and state documents.
• GLAD Law
  
  • HoliGay Party | Thursday, December 18 |  6:00 – 8:30pm | Providence, RI - Don your gay apparel and join us at our 2025 HoliGay Gathering for a night of gratitude, community connection, and even a little joy and laughter. We’ll have food, festive activities, and more! This event is 21+ . Register here
    
• OutstandingLife - The mission of the Outstandinglife.org is to improve the quality of life of LGBTQ older adults. Check out our programs and learn more and join our community here.
• Greater Boston PFLAG
  
  • Check out the extensive list of services and resources offered on the Greater Boston PFLAG website, along with opportunities to join in on our activities.
• SpeakOUT Boston
  
  • We are the nation's oldest LGBTQ+ speakers bureau. Since 1972, SpeakOUT Boston has conducted peer-led training programs to prepare LGBTQ+ community members to effectively tell their personal stories to create positive social change. Our clients are seeking ways to create safer and more rewarding spaces for LGBTQ+ people through education and dialogue. 
• YW Boston
  • Our Transformative Power : Training for Bold & Effective Advocacy | November 19, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM EDT | Kuumba Library, 140 Clarendon Street, Boston  : A workshop specifically catered to empowering women of color to advocate in Massachusetts. Register here.
  • Become a part of YW Boston's advocacy committee and help shape the organisation's policy agenda, support advocacy efforts at the city and state levels, and collaborate with a diverse group of changemakers who care deeply about equity and justice. Apply here.

• The Boston Foundation

• • 2025 Greater Boston Housing Report Card | November 12, 2025, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - Edgerley Center for Civic Leadership at the Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington St. 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02116 

    The event will feature research presentations, remarks from experts, and the annual Greater Boston Housing Report Card for 2025. Register here.

  • A Massachusetts Model for Medicaid Work Requirements | 

    November 20, 2025, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - Edgerley Center for Civic Leadership at the Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington St. 3rd Floor, Boston, MA, 02116. Release of The Boston Foundation's next report related to Medicaid and Big Beautiful Bill. Register here.

Pride in Our Partnerships

We are grateful for the continued support we receive from our Partners. Learn more about these companies and consider becoming a PIOW Partner.

Support LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion – Make a Difference Today!

At Pride in Our Workplace (PIOW), we’re building a future where LGBTQ+ professionals can thrive. Through community events, ERG leadership support, and advocacy, we’re driving real change in workplaces across Massachusetts and beyond.

🌈 But we can’t do it without you. Your support helps us expand programming, provide resources, and amplify the voices of those who need it most.

💙 Every donation, big or small, makes an impact. Join us in creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

👉 Donate today

Thank you for being part of this movement!

Follow Pride in Our Workplace on social and our website to be the first to see our resources, event updates, and more: LinkedIn. Until next time, stay safe and support each other.

Sincerely,

The Pride in Our Workplace Team