2023 Pride Month Series: Fahad Saeed

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and to reflect on our journey towards equality. In one of this month’s series of blog posts, we aim to do so by highlighting individuals who have shared their experiences as part of the LGBTQ+ community. For our LGBTQ+ allies, we hope that you will gain deeper insight into some of the challenges faced by the community, as well as reflect on how these topics apply to your daily life.

In our first post of the series, we would like to highlight Fahad Saeed. Saeed is a diversity manager, public speaker, and activist with 16 years of experience in LGBTQ+ inclusion strategies. In his workshops, Saeed draws on his own personal story to explore the challenges and joys of navigating life as a member of multiple marginalized communities. He also provides participants with tools and resources for creating more inclusive and welcoming environments.

Today, we would like to highlight Fahad Saeed’s TEDx talk, “The Importance of Inclusive Language.” In this video, Saeed uses his lived experiences as a gay Muslim man to educate others about the importance of inclusive language and intersectional perspectives. Specifically, he addresses the myth that the use of inclusive language, and the various acronyms, symbols, and labels that come with it, separates people more than it brings them together.

Before jumping into the video, we would like to share some information on a few key phrases that may help you digest the content:

Inclusion refers to environments that offer affirmation, celebration, and appreciation of different approaches, styles, perspectives, and experiences, thus allowing all individuals to bring in their whole selves (and all their identities) and to demonstrate their strengths and capacity (APA, 2021b).

Inclusive language is language that is respectful of all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. It is language that avoids stereotypes, bias, and discrimination. When we use inclusive language, we are sending the message that everyone is valued and respected. An example is avoiding gendered language, such as “waitress” or “fireman” instead of “server” or “firefighter.”

Intersectionality is a term used to describe the ways in which different forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and homophobia, intersect to create unique experiences of marginalization. When we understand intersectionality, we can better understand the challenges faced by people who belong to multiple marginalized communities.

In his TEDx talk, Saeed sends a clear message: we cannot and should not be defined by one characteristic or identity. It’s important to actively listen to those around you in both your personal and professional life to ensure that you are seeing them as they want to be seen – as a whole person, without assumptions or judgments. While it may seem like there are endless words, labels, and symbols to describe different groups of people, these are not meant to divide, but rather provide us all with something tangible to hold onto and help us feel seen. Remember, the most important thing is that you are making the effort to respect those around you and help them feel valued.

We encourage you to take the time to engage in the activity Saeed presents in the beginning of the video (i.e., assign yourself 3 identity factors and then choose one to live by) and reflect on it at the end.