Lucy Caldicott wants more diversity and inclusion in the charity sector, a trans man says he's being treated better than when he was a woman, and an LGBT Center honored queer activists with a gala.

Charity Sector Lacks D&I and Lucy Caldicott Wants to Change It

To celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week, PinkNews interviewed Lucy Caldicott, CEO and founder of the UK's third-sector consultancy ChangeOut, about diversity and inclusion (D&I) and the need for more lesbians in executive roles.

Research by myGwork indicates less than 10% of C-suite roles are held by lesbians, and only 3% of top-level officers are lesbians or non-binary people.

"Often in the charity sector, we assume we're the good guys because we're doing good things so that can be a bit of a blind spot," said Caldicott. "We kind of don't really face up to when we're getting things wrong, because we're the good people, aren't we?"

ChangeOut aims to advance D&I in the charity/advocacy space after noticing a "distance" between charity executives and those they serve.

Caldicott notes training is needed but isn't the solution. "That requires some kind of long-term systemic systematic work. It's not an overnight thing."

Caldicott advises lesbians to seek employers who support the entire LGBT community and not put up with non-inclusive work environments.

Trans Man Claims He Is Treated Better Than Before His Transition

Samuel Giardina via Facebook.

Samuel Giardina claims he "gained male privilege" after transitioning compared to life before.

Giardina, from Berlin, Connecticut, came out as trans in 2020 when he started testosterone, changed his name and pronouns, and had top surgery.

"One thing I talk about is how I experienced all the things a woman experienced including sexism - and now it's so different being a man," said Giardina.

Giardina openly discusses that as a woman, people would constantly talk over him, objectify him, and he didn't feel safe walking home at night. However, he feels the opposite now and feels that the transphobia and hate comments he faces are nothing compared to his treatment as a woman.

"I have gained male privilege but I can still relate to a lot of the things my female friends go through - it's very humbling," said Giardina.

Giardina now feels confident for the first time and is happy when looking in the mirror.

Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala Honors Notable Queer Activists

Keke Palmer via Twitter.

On April 23, queer activist, singer, and actress Keke Palmer attended the Los Angeles LGBT Center's annual gala and received recognition for her advocacy for the LGBT community via the Vanguard Award.

In her acceptance speech, Palmer spoke candidly about struggling to define herself.

"I've always been my own person, and sexuality and identity, for me, it's always been confusing," said Palmer. "I never felt straight enough; I never felt gay enough; I never felt woman enough; I never felt man enough. I always felt like I was a little bit of everything."

Palmer publicly came out as sexually fluid in 2015 but refuses to use other labels. She has championed the stories of alternative and queer Black people and has starred as several queer characters.

"There is no greater masterpiece than living your truth," said Palmer.

In addition to Palmer, Pamela Anderson also received the Vanguard Award, and the late actor Leslie Jordan was honored with a tribute as the gala's longtime emcee.

"I am rooting for you," said Anderson. "Thank you for rooting for me!"