Building a Queer-Inclusive Future: Workplace Insights from Lee Wind (Ep 144)
Are you aware of how knowing queer history can empower everyone, not just queer individuals?
In today's engaging episode, Denise Cooper, our host, has a thought-provoking conversation lined up with the guest, Lee Wind. A critically acclaimed author and fervent advocate of queer narratives, Lee has dedicated nearly two decades to penning stories that empower children and teenagers to be their authentic selves. His debut picture book, "RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE," illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky, garnered five-starred trade reviews and was praised by The New York Times as "Beautiful… It’s a message the world can use, throughout the year."
During the course of the conversation, Lee shares his valuable insights on the topic of queer allyship and intersectionality. He highlights how understanding and acknowledging sexual diversity can cause a significant shift in societal norms.
Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space in various settings, including corporate environments.
According to Lee, being an ally transcends beyond the queer community; it's about standing up for every underrepresented, under-resourced, and under-appreciated group, including women, people of color, disabled individuals, and Indigenous people. So, if you've been wanting to comprehend the intersection of various identities and learn how to leverage your personal privilege to become a true ally, this episode is definitely for you.
THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW
- What inspired you to write a book about gay histories? [04:54]
- Can you speak to the distinction between belonging and inclusion? [16:02]
- Why is it important to lift up beautiful stories from history, not just ones involving trauma and shame? [32:24]
KEEP UP WITH LEE WIND
EPISODE RESOURCES
- RSVP for our monthly Remarkable Leaders Network Call
- Visit the Remarkable Leadership Lessons Site
- Got questions? Send them here
- Interested in being a guest? Schedule an introduction call!
- Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts, and leave us a rating or review
GUEST LEE WIND'S BIO
Lee Wind (he/him) writes stories to empower kids and teens to be their authentic selves and change the world – the same books that would have changed his life as a young gay, Jewish kid. His debut picture book, RED AND GREEN AND BLUE AND WHITE was illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky and received five starred trade reviews, and The New York Times praised it as “Beautiful… It’s a message the world can use, throughout the year.” He is the author of the nonfiction Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection NO WAY, THEY WERE GAY? HIDDEN LIVES AND SECRET LOVES and the novel Publisher’s Weekly named a Top Five Independently Published Young Adult Book of 2018, QUEER AS A FIVE-DOLLAR BILL. He also runs the popular blog I’m Here. I’m Queer. What the Hell Do I Read? – words his teenage self only dreamed of saying. He’s the official blogger for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the organizer of the Queer Kid Lit Creators community. Lee lives in Los Angeles with his husband of more than 25 years, and they have a grown daughter. Visit Lee online at leewind.org.
