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<p class="intro">This month, we’re exploring identity, diversity
and inclusion in tech and the workplace, and what it means to
celebrate Pride Month. Kicking off our series is an interview with
Gina Gowins of the Human League, our human resources team at <a
href="https://automattic.com/">Automattic</a>. Happy Pride Month!</p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator" />
<h3><strong>How do you identify?</strong></h3>
<p>I identify as queer.</p>
<p>My gender identity, gender expression, and sexuality has tended to
ebb and flow throughout my life. I like the term queer because it
encompasses how I identify regardless of how I may be feeling on a
given day.</p>
<p>I am particularly attached to the term queer as a repurposing of a
word that was once used to isolate and disempower people — it was used
to call people out as problematically different and <em>other</em>.
From my perspective, there is no <em>normal</em> and no <em>other;
</em>instead, we are all individual and unique. Identifying as queer
allows me to take pride in my own individuality.</p>
<blockquote class="pullquote center">The choice of how someone
identifies should remain in the hands of that individual. If you are
not sure how new people you meet identify, ask them.</blockquote>
<p>Language changes over time, and how we use language shapes our
values and thinking. In a culture that is aggressively governed by
heteronormative values and where it can still be dangerous and lonely
to be LGBTQIA+ — such as the United States, where I live — defining
myself as queer is also my small act of defiance. It is a reminder of
the consistent fight for acceptance, inclusion, and justice that so
many people face, and our inherent value and validity as humans.</p>
<p>I recognize that not all LBGTQIA+ people identify with the
reappropriated use of queer due to its history of being used as a
slur. I think the concerns raised about the word’s
reappropriation are valid and worth ongoing conversation. I bring this
up because I think it’s an important reminder that while many
people do identify as queer, identifying any LGBTQIA+ individual you
meet as queer could potentially be hurtful and insulting instead of
supportive. The choice of how someone identifies should remain in the
hands of that individual. If you are not sure how new people you meet
identify, ask them.</p>
<h3><strong><strong>As an HR Operations Magician at Automattic, how
have your life experiences — and this exploration of gender identity,
gender expression, and sexuality — informed the work you
do?</strong></strong></h3>
<p>Like many people who identify as queer, I have worked at previous
companies with colleagues and supervisors that were generally
unwelcoming toward LGBTQIA+ folks. Some examples of behaviors I
experienced were the outright objection to womxn and queer events,
refusal to acknowledge an individual’s pronouns, and
discriminatory comments about transgender folks.</p>
<p>My past experiences of being in unwelcoming work environments led
me to ask the question, “Why are so many work environments so
terrible towards LGBTQIA+ folks, and how can I make it even slightly
better?”<em> </em>For several years I researched diversity and
inclusion. I also began listening to several HR and job culture
podcasts, because I felt that human resources and people operations
departments were at the heart of driving policy and culture. I applied
to Automattic because of their impressive commitment to <a
href="https://automattic.com/diversity-and-inclusion/">diversity and
inclusion</a>.</p>
<p>As part of my daily work at Automattic, I support onboarding for
new hires and candidates who are entering our trial process. I also
work with my colleagues to improve the quality of the work experience
for everyone.</p>
<blockquote class="pullquote center">It is not about just making the
easiest decision. It is about making the most caring decision
possible.</blockquote>
<p>My work involves hundreds of small and unique interactions per
week. Many of these interactions are with folks who are trying to
decide if Automattic is a place where they can contribute their
talents <em>and </em>feel welcomed. I consider it my job to act with
diversity and inclusion at the forefront of my mind, and to always be
learning in accordance with our company <a
href="https://automattic.com/creed/">creed</a>.</p>
<p>I also try to leverage my experiences in shared team discussions
whenever possible, to help inform best practices. It is not about just
making the easiest decision. It is about making the most caring
decision possible.</p>
<p>I will be honest that even working somewhere like Automattic,
volunteering for this interview is still a very vulnerable thing for
me to do. But, there was a time when I could not volunteer for such an
interview even if I wanted to. I feel grateful for the community at
Automattic in welcoming me to be myself, and I try to pay it forward
in as many small ways that I can. If I help someone feel 1% safer to
be themselves each day, then it is a good day.</p>
<h3><strong><strong>What's it like interacting with and supporting
people in a mostly text-based environment, especially new hires and
trials who may be new to the distributed work
model?</strong></strong></h3>
<p>Working in a completely distributed environment is incredibly
rewarding, but it does require significant changes to the way people
work. Moving to an environment where communication is primarily
text-based can be challenging for those who are used to real time,
face-to-face conversations in an office.</p>
<p>When we onboard a new hire, we provide them resources that explain
our tools and channels of communication. We also pair new hires with a
mentor — an experienced colleague — who provides guidance and helps in
acclimating them to a distributed environment. Many mentors hold Zoom
calls with their mentees, and that helps provide some valuable
face-to-face connections in the beginning.</p>
<p>Finding the right tone in written communication can also be
challenging. When considering my tone, I strive to be welcoming and
clear. I express empathy by acknowledging that I understand how folks
are feeling. I avoid using figures of speech, and instead focus on
clear, specific language. If I am referencing something, I link to it.
I try to remember that people can't see me, and that I can't rely on
facial expressions or body language. If I am excited about something,
I say so! While I don’t recommend going overboard, the
occasional emoji or GIF can also add warmth and personality. <img
src="https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/72x72/1f60e.png"
alt="😎" class="wp-smiley" style="height:1em;max-height:1em;" /></p>
<h3><strong><strong>What challenges do you face when communicating
about sensitive topics? How do you build trust and show support in a
remote environment?</strong></strong></h3>
<p>I consider myself far from an expert in navigating sensitive HR
topics in a distributed working environment. This is an area where I
am actively learning. I find myself fortunate to work with such
amazing team members who excel at this.</p>
<blockquote class="pullquote center"> I think the most important thing
to remember when navigating a difficult conversation in writing is
that there is a person on the other side of the screen.</blockquote>
<p>When contributing to internal discussions that may be polarizing or
sensitive in nature, I try to focus on what I want to learn from the
conversation. I find it helpful to draft my initial thoughts in a
separate window. I listen and ask questions first before fully forming
my response. I try to share my thoughts in a way that demonstrates I
am curious and open to hearing ideas. Being curious and open instead
of defensive and combative goes a long way in building trust.</p>
<p>I think the most important thing to remember when navigating a
difficult conversation in writing is that there is a person on the
other side of the screen. Sometimes you may need to disagree and
commit to a decision, and it is important that everyone is respected
on the path to that decision. Everyone has a unique perspective, and
that diversity is a strength. There is always an opportunity to learn
from others.</p>
<h3><strong><strong>Is there a specific issue that you're passionate
about or around which you'd like to raise
awareness?</strong></strong></h3>
<p>As a longtime bicycle safety, public transit, and sustainability
advocate, I am currently a bit of a <em>crispy critter</em> — a phrase
used by a friend of mine who used to be in the Peace Corps to describe
someone who is burnt out from sustained activism work. I’ve
recently taken a step back from activism to work on my own mental
health and well-being. While I can’t speak in detail about the
most up-to-date efforts in areas I am passionate about, I can share a
little about an issue that I believe is important and needs further
activism.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, <a
href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy">conversion
“therapy”</a> (I use quotes because it is not real
therapy) is something still practiced in an attempt to change
someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Many of the
practices include physical and emotional abuse. Children and teens are
incredibly vulnerable, as generally their parents force them to
participate. This “therapy” increases the risk of
depression, suicide, and homelessness. These issues are each a crisis
on their own in LGBTQIA+ teen communities with a whole host of
preventable causes, and I think conversion “therapy” is
one of the most abominable culprits. I believe every person has the
right to grow up in a caring, supportive, and affirming environment.
The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), HRC (Human Rights
Campaign), and many other organizations work on these issues.</p>
<h3><strong>What does celebrating Pride Month mean to you or look like
for you?</strong></h3>
<p>For me, Pride Month is about being proud to be uniquely
<em>you</em>, and paying it forward by unabashedly sharing that
uniqueness with those around you. When you can show up powerfully as
yourself, it empowers other people to be themselves, too. I think we
need so much more of that in the world. In a world that wants you to
apologize or minimize who you are, don’t. Be proud. Be
yourself.</p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator" />
<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Interested in the type of
work that Gina does? Apply to be a <a
href="https://automattic.com/work-with-us/human-resources-wrangler/">Human
(Resources) Wrangler</a> on our team</strong>. <strong>You can also
learn about WordPress.com’s diversity efforts through <a
href="https://en.blog.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/celebrating-pride-month-with-out-in-tech/">our
partnership with Out in Tech</a>, which connects LGBTQ+ activists to
leaders in tech</strong>. </p>
<a href="https://wordpress.com/discover-wordpress/2020/06/01/pride-month-gina-gowins/"
target="_blank" rel="follow">Meer over Cheri Lucas Rowlands</a>
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