LGBTQ+ INCLUSIVITY
WE *LITERALLY* NEED EVERYONE TO DO THEIR PART
PWS is very passionate about intentional Queer Inclusivity not only affects this business, the industry we occupy, and our clients, but it is a wide ranging topic that radiates outwards in all ways of our lives.
To us, Inclusivity is a *practice* - it's promising to pay attention and learn intentionally. It means showing respect and holding space for others to be themselves openly. To do your own research and ask appropriate questions in the appropriate setting. Inclusivity means asking for pronouns and using them - even if it takes time to un-learn and mess up on the way.
It means LOVING, honoring and respecting others. To see them.
Erin here. I originally started Plain With Sprinkles to highlight the different ways of showing up in a traditional space. It became clear pretty quickly that Queer folx needed an advocate for their love in WNC - so I started learning more intentionally about the many forms love shows up, paying attention to the "other letters" in LGBTQIA+, connecting with other Queer folx, and exploring the wishes and needs of our clients / couples.
I've had a lot of conversations with other business owners and vendors over the years about how to work with Queer couples and special attention it takes to make sure you are respecting them, hearing them, and not othering. I do see a lot of vendors and businesses not just in this industry who lazily or panic slap on a Pride flag or say they are "LBGT Friendly" to attempt to stay on trend, but they haven't done the work to really know how to work with them in a fully respectful way.
We understand that for most cisgendered heterosexual people (especially in the South) - you may not have been exposed to other ways of how love presents when it comes to gender and sexuality. If you are a wedding vendor and work mostly or all with straight couples.
We also know it is hard to find time to begin this sort of work from scratch - It's an overwhelming learning curve. And we can help you with that!
IF YOU CAN CHECK OFF ANY OF THESE BOXES, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CHATTING WITH US.
-
YOU DON'T GET INQUIRIES FROM QUEER COUPLES, BUT YOU WANT TO WORK WITH THEM
-
YOU DON'T ASK FOR PRONOUNS (OR KNOW WHY THIS IS RELEVANT)
-
YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT ALL THE LETTERS OF LGBTQIA+ MEAN
-
YOU GREW UP IN A CONSERVATIVE OR HETERO HOUSEHOLD
-
YOU USE "BRIDE" OR "GROOM" TOO MUCH IN YOUR LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE YOUR CLIENTS OR IN SALES PITCHES
-
YOU ARE HIDING YOUR OWN QUEER-NESS / LGBTQ+ STATUS FROM YOUR BUSINESS IDENTITY
-
YOU ARE OVERWHELMED BY THE CONCEPT OF NONBINARY
-
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY "ALL GENDER" BATHROOMS ARE NEEDED, OR YOU HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT
-
YOUR DON'T HAVE MANY OR ANY CLOSE LGBTQ+ FRIENDS
-
YOU GET OVERWHELMED WITH WHERE TO START SINCE YOU FEEL BEHIND WITH EVERYTHING CHANGING ALL THE TIME,SO YOU DON'T TRY
-
YOU HAVE CONSERVATIVE FAMILY / FRIENDS WHO MAY JUDGE YOU FOR SHOWING UP AS AN ALLY
SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE:
STEP 1: CONSULTATION + CONVERSATION
I will meet with you on video call or in person if you are local to WNC. I think face to face is very important for intentional conversations like these. Together, we will sort of evaluate where you are in your process as everyone has different lives and experiences. This is meant to be a safe space to express your priorities / stressors / worries, and fears. We trust and know everyone has a starting place and it's very vulnerable/personal work - so we will hold space for you in that. From there, we will suggest a good route for you in either how you can continue to work with us OR what sort of work you can begin doing on your own before you may be ready for the commitment of this work!
STEP 2: AUDITING
Looking at how you present yourself is the next big step to getting your business aligned with your goals for inclusivity. If you are not attracting the couples you feel ready to work with - you likely are not showing up in ways that couples want to see you show your inclusivity / and not connecting with others in ways of putting you in trusted circles for recommendation. We audit for holes and create a report for ways to improve your online presence and for how you work with your clients for intentional inclusivity. Once you have this updated and implement these changes in your business - it should 10/10 change the way you attract couples / clients.
STEP 2: CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
We will continue the conversation after your audit report is turned over to you. We want you to look over it in detail before we connect again. Ideally you will have committed to making time to start working on those changes and collecting more questions along the way. We will discuss any other worries, concerns, ideas, and revelations you may have, and we will share any insight, direction, or resources that can support you.
This part is very important as Inclusivity is always going to be a continuing conversation that needs to be updated and intentional. This part will include a seasonal individual call with the option to connect as a group if some folx are interested. I hope this will feel supportive for the journey you wish to have an community is a wonderful way to contribute to the conversation.
BOOK YOUR INCLUSIVITY CONSULTATION
You can book and pay for your consultation through the following link. Because this is inclusive work, we will donate 5% of the profits to Youth OUTright. It benefits young LGBTQIA+ kids in the local WNC areas.
If you qualify for the next steps for Auditing and continuing the conversation - we can quote you based on your business type + size / content and parts to assess. If you have a budget or need a payment plan, we are happy to discuss those options. We also happy to offer sliding scale or gift this service for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ business owners who feel that they would benefit from this