Read insights from LGBTQ+ leaders in the ARM industry.
06/22/2023 1:30 P.M.
3 minute read
ACA International’s membership and the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry are increasingly diverse.
Last year, ACA highlighted members during Pride month, which is recognized in June each year to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, according to the Library of Congress: “The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”
Here are some excerpts from those conversations:
Member Spotlight: Brit Suttell
For Brit Suttell (who uses they/them pronouns), Pride month is a time when they can recognize and appreciate the increased visibility that the LGBTQIA+ community has now.
“I embrace my queer Pride almost daily because I never know who could benefit from seeing it,” Suttell, a shareholder at Barron & Newburger P.C., said. “When I travel, I always make sure I wear a Pride shirt because I want others to know they are not alone and there is nothing wrong with them if they are struggling with their own sexuality or gender identity.”
Member Spotlight: Josh Stevens
In his interview, Josh Stevens, a partner at Mac Murray & Shuster LLP, reflected on his experiences as an openly gay attorney, as well as initiatives companies and communities can take to support the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Find ways to make sure your company uses inclusive language, respecting people’s pronouns and preferred names,” he said. “Make sure your dress code is inclusive to people’s different gender expressions. It’s about taking the visible goal and actually putting it into practice. For example, making sure that your health insurance can cover a non-traditional family structure. That’s something that a lot of companies miss.”
Member Spotlight: Connie Montoya
Connie Montoya, a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, is a former board member of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York and a former co-chair of the LGBT Network of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. In her interview, she shared what Pride month means to her.
“[It’s about] celebration of self, of relationships, of community. I also tend to reflect during this time on the long arc of the fight for equality and justice by the LGBTQIA+ community every Pride Month—from the time of ACT UP in the 1980s to the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act by Windsor and Obergefell, and the continuing struggle of the transgender community. I believe that Pride month serves as an inspiration and encouragement for those who are still struggling with their LGBTQIA+ identities, a reminder of how far we have come but how far we have to go, and a reminder for those who love and support us—as well as society at large—that we are here, we have long been here, and we are not going away.”
Learn More
As an ACA member, you have the opportunity to attend an engaging session, Cultural Competency and Humility: Ethically Representing LGBTQ+, led by Caren Enloe, partner at Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing & Myers, LLP, and Brit Suttell, shareholder at Barron & Newburger, P.C., at ACA’s 2023 Convention & Expo, Friday, July 28.
In this session, you’ll gain invaluable insights and practical strategies to ethically advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals in both corporate and litigation settings. Our expert speakers will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the legal landscape with sensitivity, respect and inclusivity.
Secure your spot at ACA’s Convention today by visiting the 2023 Convention & Expo webpage.
Do you know a member you would like to see featured in ACA Daily’s Member Spotlight or Collector magazine’s Origin Story? Would you like to share your story? We are also looking to highlight our international members and new members of ACA. Reach out to our communications team at [email protected] with your ideas. We’d love to hear from you!
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