Be The Glitter ✨ 🌈 Podcast

Italy is the country with the highest amount of trans murders in Europe." Angelica Polmonari, international LGBTQ+ activist and certified DEI trainer, reveals the shocking reality of LGBTQ+ life in Italy - a founding member of the European Union that ranks 35th out of 49 countries for LGBTQ+ safety. "There is no anti-discrimination bill protecting LGBTQ+ people from hate speech, from street violence, from workplace discrimination." What makes this even more powerful? Angelica has been hired by Maserati - twice - to train their employees on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Her story proves that change is possible, even in the most unexpected places."They asked me: 'What can we do daily to make our LGBTQ+ colleagues feel seen, heard, and valued?'" This conversation covers the ILGA maps, workplace discrimination, the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ violence, and why authentic allyship matters more than ever.Spread the Glitter!✨ Subscribe✨ Share✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ Rate🎧 Wa'am Writes 🔗 linktr.ee/waamwrites
Other Links: Angelica on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelica-polmonari-926358284 https://ilga.org/ https://www.arcigay.it/en/chi-siamo/ https://www.agedonazionale.org/Music provided by Chillhop Music Kreatev - E 500 https://chll.to/f4c0bd3d #ItalianActivist #LGBTQ #TransRights #LGBTQSafety #TransMurder #EuropeanUnion #Italy #Activism #HumanRights #Discrimination #BeTheGlitter #LGBTQActivist #TransActivist #EqualRights #SocialJustice

In this powerful episode of Be the Glitter, I sit down with Laveréna "Réna" Wienclaw, co-founder of New Valley Labs, a startup studio dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ founders. Réna shares her incredible journey from trying to fit into corporate expectations to embracing authentic entrepreneurship - and how that transformation led to both personal fulfillment and business success.
What You'll Learn:
How authenticity in business can actually drive better results (backed by data!)
The real stats on why diverse teams outperform: 19% higher revenues and 21% better profitability
Practical ways allies can show up and support LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and community members
How to find your authentic voice in professional spaces that pressure conformity
The power of volunteer work in building community and creating change
Key Topics Covered:
Startup studio model and supporting early-stage founders
Coming out as a queer entrepreneur and the business transformation that followed
Community gardening and Food Strong's amazing work in Cleveland
Out in Tech Cleveland chapter relaunch and creating inclusive tech spaces
Why visibility matters for both LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies
Connect with Réna: Email: laverna@newvalleylabs.com New Valley Labs: [website] Out in Tech Cleveland events and updates
This conversation is a beautiful reminder that when we show up as our authentic selves, we not only find our people - we create space for others to do the same.
 
Music provided by Chillhop Music
DESH, delaney. - Fairy Tales
https://chll.to/41c90fe7
 
#LGBTQIA #Entrepreneurship #StartupStudio #Diversity #Inclusion #Authenticity #Cleveland #TechCommunity #Allyship #CommunityBuilding #QueerFounders #BeTheGlitter #VolunteerWork #SocialImpact

Meet Kamryn Ainsley - a 55-year-old trans woman from Canada sharing her journey just one year into transition. Her first public appearance story will stay with you forever.What you'll discover: ✅ The security guard incident that could have ended everything ✅ How cosmetics counter employees became unexpected heroes ✅ How being laid off 5 times taught resilience lessons✅ The friend who saw her truth 25 years before she did ✅ Simple ways to be an ally that make all the differenceKey moments: ✨ The 30-minute layoff story ✨ First time shopping as herself ✨ Nicole's incredible foresight and friendship ✨ Why "What's the weather like?" can make someone's day Kamryn proves that growth happens when we're uncomfortable, allies show up in unexpected places, and sometimes the smallest gestures create the biggest impact.
✨ Connect with me: linktr.ee/waamwrites ✨ Subscribe for more conversations that change how you see the world
🎶 Music provided by Chillhop Music Nokiaa, Molly McPhaul - Loaf https://chll.to/965796f9#transgender #transition #allyship #workplace #canada #resilience #friendship #inclusion #lgbtq #betheglitter #growth #authenticity #firsttime #cosmetics #security #superheroes