6/6/2024
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Posted by Christie Charlebois, LMSW, Care Manager HARP
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and more) communities, raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ rights and issues, and promote inclusivity and acceptance.
During this monthlong observance, we will spotlight LGBTQIA+ voices from across Fidelis Care and community-based organizations. Christie Charlebois, LMSW, Care Manager HARP, shared the following:
As we celebrate Pride Month, I wanted to share my experiences as an ally, as a team member here at Fidelis Care and Centene, and as a mother. Participating in Pride as an ally is not new to me. I have been lucky to live in a community that embraces and celebrates our LGBTQIA+ neighbors, and I have been even luckier to call many of them my friends and colleagues.
As a career social worker and Care Manager, it is amazing to witness the foundations and progress that DEI programs have fostered for our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. For instance, Fidelis Care employees can participate in cPRIDE, one of our Employee Inclusion Groups (EIG), which advocates for all to bring their most authentic selves to work. Through action, advocacy, and education, cPRIDE is committed to cultivating a safer and inclusive workplace that empowers individuals to maximize their potential. These programs provide a community for networking, education, and support.
As a mom, this lesson of authenticity is one that has been ever evolving for my family. I am the mom of an incredible, talented, smart, and amazing transgender young woman (and two equally amazing boys). Before my daughter came out to us, I would have proudly told you I was an ally. But the truth is, in retrospect, I am not sure I knew what that job really entailed. Being an ally can mean standing next to your friends and family at a Pride parade or posting a supportive message on social media. To me, being an ally means taking time to find resources for those who may need them, whether it is a member who needs access to trans healthcare providers or a support group for a mom whose child just came out. Being an ally means creating a culture of inclusivity and safety in our neighborhoods, our workplace, and our communities. It is about reminding your kids that they and their friends are safe to be themselves in your home. Being an ally is standing up when everyone else is sitting down, because it is simply the right thing to do. Not only for your own kid, but for everyone.
I have been able to use my personal experiences as a parent to educate myself further on accessing safe and positive experiences for trans healthcare. I have applied that experience to my role as a Care Manager at Fidelis Care. Learning to navigate the appropriate terminology, barriers, and discrimination that face our LGBTQIA+ members as they seek healthcare is a challenge that no single person can handle alone. However, we can accomplish great things if we work as a collaborative team toward providing equitable healthcare for all.
I will be at the parade, standing proudly with my daughter, decked out in our pink and blue and a few rainbows too - because she loves them. And I love her. Happy Pride Month!