This book explores the nexus of LGBTQ+ identities and leadership development. It shows why embracing LGBTQ+ leaders drives enhanced outcomes for individuals and organizations. What’s missing from most academic and popular literature is how LGBTQ+ experiences such as stigmatization, coming out, and transition, build leadership skills. We will show how LGBTQ+ leaders are forged through those experiences using the lenses of cognitive and development theories. These concepts are reinforced through interviews and stories from a set of nearly 100 LGBTQ+ leaders across industries, backgrounds, and experiences.
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Endorsements
This is one of those rare books that has the capacity to save lives. For decades we have been crying out for our pain to be acknowledged and for systemic injustice against queer people to be addressed. Forging Queer Leaders feels like an epilogue to that fight. Contributors were generous in sharing not only their lows, but their stories of joy and success. For anyone questioning whether queer struggle can result in queer joy, this book offers dozens of stories exemplifying just that.
- Kati McNamara, Air Force Social Worker
For decades we have seen professional literature and research focus on the impact of oppression, discrimination, and minority stress on members of LGBTQIA+ communities. In recent years, we have started to observe more dialogue centering the resilience within our communities. Forging Queer Leaders: How the LGBTQIA+ Community Creates Impact from Adversity takes that work to the next level with its emphasis on how our community leaders have grown and flourished from their experiences while offering concrete advice to the next generation of leaders within our communities.”
- Nick Grant, PhD, ABPP, and Immediate Past President, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality.
This was the book I didn’t know I needed. At a time when Queer Leaders are needed in this generation’s test (crucible as the authors might call it) this book was the wind that filled my sails so I could refresh my grip on the tiller!
- Scottie Jeannette Madden (Author, Writer, Director, and Showrunner)
An inspiring, educational read. With both authority and empathy, Fram and Cavallaro masterfully weave stories, data, and advice to shine a long overdue spotlight on LGBTQ+ leadership and what we can all learn from it. A must read for anyone who aspires to be a better leader, friend, parent, or human.
- Alison Fragale, PhD, Professor, University of North Carolina and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve
Fram and Cavallaro have created a resource that harnesses our individual resilience as queer people, and exemplifies how that can be our own superpower. A wonderful book that tells LGBTQ+ people that there isn't a limit on our potential in this world.
– Jamie Windust, author of In Their shoes: Navigating Non-Binary Life
An insightful and engaging read that helps us all step into your power as queer leaders - whatever that may look like - with surprising insights and connections that altered my perception of leadership.
– Ben Pechey, LGBTQ+ advocate, DE&I consultant and author of The Book of Non-Binary Joy
If it takes a blast furnace to make steel strong, then the fires of coming out and living our authentic truth in an often hostile and obstructive society forges something similar in the character of queer folk. An eloquent case of how and why LGBTQ+ people often make the best staff to hire.
- Christine Burns, MBE, trans activist, and author of Trans Britain
Fram and Cavallaro detail a compelling argument for queer leaders. They describe how the unique crucible of queer service develops the strong authentic leaders our military needs today. They give gripping examples from today’s queer leaders.
– Kera “Puff” Rolsen, Aviator and Author
- Kati McNamara, Air Force Social Worker
For decades we have seen professional literature and research focus on the impact of oppression, discrimination, and minority stress on members of LGBTQIA+ communities. In recent years, we have started to observe more dialogue centering the resilience within our communities. Forging Queer Leaders: How the LGBTQIA+ Community Creates Impact from Adversity takes that work to the next level with its emphasis on how our community leaders have grown and flourished from their experiences while offering concrete advice to the next generation of leaders within our communities.”
- Nick Grant, PhD, ABPP, and Immediate Past President, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality.
This was the book I didn’t know I needed. At a time when Queer Leaders are needed in this generation’s test (crucible as the authors might call it) this book was the wind that filled my sails so I could refresh my grip on the tiller!
- Scottie Jeannette Madden (Author, Writer, Director, and Showrunner)
An inspiring, educational read. With both authority and empathy, Fram and Cavallaro masterfully weave stories, data, and advice to shine a long overdue spotlight on LGBTQ+ leadership and what we can all learn from it. A must read for anyone who aspires to be a better leader, friend, parent, or human.
- Alison Fragale, PhD, Professor, University of North Carolina and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve
Fram and Cavallaro have created a resource that harnesses our individual resilience as queer people, and exemplifies how that can be our own superpower. A wonderful book that tells LGBTQ+ people that there isn't a limit on our potential in this world.
– Jamie Windust, author of In Their shoes: Navigating Non-Binary Life
An insightful and engaging read that helps us all step into your power as queer leaders - whatever that may look like - with surprising insights and connections that altered my perception of leadership.
– Ben Pechey, LGBTQ+ advocate, DE&I consultant and author of The Book of Non-Binary Joy
If it takes a blast furnace to make steel strong, then the fires of coming out and living our authentic truth in an often hostile and obstructive society forges something similar in the character of queer folk. An eloquent case of how and why LGBTQ+ people often make the best staff to hire.
- Christine Burns, MBE, trans activist, and author of Trans Britain
Fram and Cavallaro detail a compelling argument for queer leaders. They describe how the unique crucible of queer service develops the strong authentic leaders our military needs today. They give gripping examples from today’s queer leaders.
– Kera “Puff” Rolsen, Aviator and Author