A personal reflection from Different’s co-founder, Alex Suggs:

I grew up in Boise, Idaho. I started coming to terms with my queerness as a teen. My mental health was suffering and I needed support.

My mom helped me to see a therapist. It was there that I opened up for the first time about my sexual orientation. The therapist told me that I wasn't gay and pushed her own beliefs onto me.

I didn't see her again.

Another year or so later I went to a different therapist. My mental health was still suffering. I opened up once more about my sexual orientation. She was clearly uncomfortable.

I didn't see her again.

I then saw a psychiatrist. She got me on antidepressants because my mental health was still suffering. I once more opened up about my sexuality. She then helped me open up to my very supportive mom and then the rest of my equally supportive family — a rarity and privilege among the LGBTQIA+ community.

⚠️ The rate of attempting suicide among LGBTQIA+ teens is more than four times the rate of suicide attempts among all US teens.

I could have been another statistic.

When I talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, it's not a political debate. It's not an opt-in workplace initiative.

And yet, dozens of Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, recently co-sponsored a bill that would withhold federal funds from medical schools with diversity programs.

⚠️ Even though trans people are discriminated against and even turned away from recieving medical care.

⚠️ Even though Black women are 2.5x more likely to die from a pregnancy related cause due to less access and more bias against them.

The list goes on.

When people argue against DEI, I usually ask them what they are specifically against. Equality? Fairness? People of a different race? Religion? Sexuality? Gender? I encourage them to say the thing out loud, rather than hide under the umbrella term of DEI.

I know there's a lot of noise out there right now about the "death of DEI" with "DEI" as the new "woke" being used for click-bait articles and manufactured rage. But this work isn't going anywhere (our clients will tell you the same thing).

I wanted to share this personal reflection so the real reasons behind DEI efforts don't get lost in the sauce. For anyone out there continuing to do the good work, I see you. Keep going.