All Are Welcome Business Inclusivity Trainings

November 17 & December 5

Register

Registration closes November 8

Build a more positive climate for your business or organization by joining Ridgefield’s “All Are Welcome” Business Inclusivity Training Program! 🏳️‍🌈 Learn actionable ways to ensure your business or organization is a safe, welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ customers, visitors, employees and volunteers.

“All Are Welcome” Business Inclusivity Training Program

LGBTQIA+ Safe Space training and support program for local businesses and organizations

Building a Positive Business Climate Benefits Everyone

Ridgefield Pride is pleased to announce the launch of our “All Are Welcome” Business Inclusivity Training Program.  

Objective:

The goal of these training sessions is to help local institutions become better allies to our LGBTQIA+ community in the following ways:   

• Assure customers, employees, visitors, and prospective residents that Ridgefield and your business or institution is an inclusive, welcoming, and safe place for everyone
• Celebrate Ridgefield’s LGBTQIA+ community, as well as support their physical and social/emotional safety and well-being
• Promote Ridgefield’s arts and culture leadership and small-town charm

Training Overview: LGBTQIA+ 101: Creating Affirming Community Spaces

This foundational session will engage participants in a thorough overview of the LGBTQIA+ community, with emphasis on creating supportive and affirming environments in public and community spaces. From terminology and definitions to rethinking historical and traditional assumptions about gender and sexuality, this session is a must for all who wish to build more affirming and equitable practices.

Learning goals include:

• An understanding of what is meant by gender identity, gender expression, sex assigned at birth, and sexual orientation; the differences between them; and how they impact and intersect with one another and other areas of identity.
• Exploring how every person is affected by identity-related expectations and norms, whether LGBTQIA+ or not; Creating space for learning, reflection, and team-building for allies and LGBTQIA+ folks alike.
• The importance of allyship in real-life situations: Understanding common and current issues and barriers, and an overview of best practices that protect the safety and inclusion.

Training Session Options

Pick the session that works for you:

• Tuesday, November 17, 2026 – 8:00 – 9:30am or 5-6:30pm  in-person at Lounsbury House – light refreshments will be served

• Saturday, December 5, 2026 – 9:00 – 10:30am on Zoom

• 2027 – Additional sessions will be scheduled in 2027, with dates/times TBA.

Send as many employees/members to as many of the trainings as you would like for the year for the Suggested Donation of:

• $50 for entities that have 4+ employees
• $30 for nonprofits and entities with 1-3 employees

This will enable you to offer this to current employees as well as future new hires.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need financial assistance.   

Upon Completion 

Each participating entity will be given 2 “All Are Welcome” decals and a graphic which can be displayed at the entrance of your business or organization and on your socials to show you have been through the training and that you are a welcoming space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.  Additional decals are available with a suggested donation of $5 each.

Registration

Registration for these sessions is open now – please click HERE to register.  If you would like to register for multiple sessions, please complete a separate form for each session, listing the employees who will participate in each one.

We are excited to kick off this initiative, and we are grateful for your support and interest in the program.  With your organization’s help, we can truly elevate our community and become  a welcoming model for our area and beyond.

For additional information email ridgefieldctpride@gmail.com