The Significance of LGBTQ+ Leadership in Today’s World

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The importance of LGBTQ+ leadership cannot be understated in today’s ever-evolving society. With increased awareness and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, there has never been a more critical time for LGBTQ+ individuals to take the reins of leadership. These trailblazers not only offer unique perspectives but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society. In this article, we will explore the significance of LGBTQ+ leadership and its impact on communities, organizations, and the world at large.

The Need for Representation

Representation matters. For too long, LGBTQ+ individuals have been underrepresented or excluded from positions of power and influence. This lack of representation has led to many LGBTQ+ individuals feeling unseen, unheard, and invalidated. However, with LGBTQ+ leaders at the helm, marginalized communities can witness a more inclusive and accepting society that embraces and celebrates diversity. LGBTQ+ leaders serve as role models for the younger generation, inspiring them to dream big and break down barriers.

GGBA Member Spotlight

When young people see someone who looks like them, who shares their experiences and struggles, they are more likely to believe in their own potential for success. This sense of belonging and validation is essential for personal growth, self-esteem, and resilience.

Promoting Inclusivity and Equality

LGBTQ+ leaders possess a unique understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, enabling them to advocate for policies and practices that promote inclusivity and equality. They are often champions of change, pushing for reforms that address discrimination, bias, and prejudice. By fostering a culture of acceptance and respect, these leaders create safer spaces for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ+ leaders also play a crucial role in shaping organizational policies and practices. They can influence diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensuring that LGBTQ+ employees are treated fairly and equitably. In turn, organizations that embrace diversity and inclusion are more likely to attract top talent, increase innovation, and improve overall performance.

Reducing Stigma and Encouraging Dialogue

One of the most significant challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community is the enduring stigma and prejudice that permeate society. LGBTQ+ leaders can help break down these barriers by openly

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John Henry Pang, M.D., F.A.C.S., of Align Surgical Associates, Inc.

Do you know what the letters “F.A.C.S.” mean after a surgeon’s name? The letters stand for “Fellow of the American College of Surgeons” and indicate that the surgeon has passed a thorough evaluation of both professional competence and ethical fitness. Fellows commit to placing the welfare of patients above any other consideration, to avoid division of fees with other physicians, to make fees commensurate with the services rendered, and to refrain from performing unjustified operations.

Dr. John Henry Pang of Align Surgical Associates, Inc., not only has this credential, but also is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He specializes in complex genital, face, and chest reconstruction, and aesthetic surgery and body contouring. A committed advocate for transgender healthcare rights, he has appeared in many news outlets to speak on the importance of transgender people’s access to gender-confirming treatments and surgeries.

GGBA: Please tell us about your practice, Align Surgical Associates, Inc., including its mission and values

Dr. John Henry Pang: Align Surgical Associates is a dedicated multidisciplinary team of surgeons and healthcare providers passionate about delivering top-notch, personalized surgical care to our patients. We specialize in all aspects of genderaffirming surgery and plastic surgery.

As the name implies, our mission centers on aligning the mind, identity, and body, with a core practice focus on seamlessly integrating compassion with surgical excellence. We are a minority-owned and led practice that serves a diverse patient population across a spectrum of gender, sexual minority-ship, race, and socioeconomic status, continually working to improve access to high-quality surgical care for the trans and queer community. Achieving this requires extensive community engagement and involvement, and we pride ourselves on working collaboratively with patients and healthcare providers to ensure that. For those of us who identify as part of the queer community, it’s a way of actively giving back. We believe that this philosophy lends itself to a warm, empathic touch during an otherwise vulnerable moment in our patients’ lives.

GGBA: What led to the establishment of Align Surgical Associates?

Dr. John Henry Pang: Recent studies in medical literature have identified a strong patient desire for provider congruency. To put that plainly, patients seek out and thrive with healthcare providers who share and can relate to their identities and lived experiences. As a biracial Black-Filipino gay man, Dr. Thomas Satterwhite, who founded Align, has worked to create such a space for our trans community, providing empathy, compassion, and recognition for who they are, coupled with the highest level of excellence in their care. Our practice partner, Dr. Dev Gurjala, shares this vision, and as a Korean-American gay man from a lowincome background, I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of such a practice. I appreciate that our team at Align sits at the intersection of these identities—we’re in a unique position to provide the kind of care patients are seeking, and the kind of care they deserve.

GGBA: Can you share more about your experience having a practice in the community?

Dr. John Henry Pang: San Francisco and the Bay Area hold such a central place in the fight for queer equality and recognition. It is truly special to be a part of that tapestry and to serve in this community. Queer surgeons caring for the queer community—I never would have imagined this in my childhood! Particularly in our field of gender-affirming surgery, so many community healthcare providers— my fellow surgeons, physicians, nurses, mental health providers, social workers, patient navigators, to name just a few— also come from a diverse array of gender, sexual, racial, and socioeconomic minority backgrounds. Our practice takes seriously our role and responsibility as active members of this community. We recently held an open house at our practice to thank and celebrate our collaborators in our efforts to serve the trans community—there was just such a tremendous sense of community and a shared commitment to excellence, and really drove home just how fortunate we are that our patients entrust us with their care.

GGBA: Why did you decide to join the GGBA, and how long have you been a member?

Dr. John Henry Pang: We joined the GGBA this past year, driven by a desire to support and celebrate the community we are a part of and serve. The GGBA is a fantastic organization that connects members and businesses with one another, demonstrating a commitment to the local community. We view these efforts as essential for the success of small businesses like ours, and to the overall well-being and prosperity of the queer community as a whole.

GGBA: What services does your business offer?

Dr. John Henry Pang: Align offers a comprehensive range of plastic surgery and gender-affirming procedures. This includes facial surgery (harmonizing each of your features), chest surgery,

Ggba Calendar

Tuesday, May 23 GGBA April Board of Directors Meeting

Virtual via Zoom

5:30 pm–7:30 pm

Once a month, these fearless volunteers, aka the Board of Directors, come together as one unit to continue GGBA’s mission to serve the LGBTQ+ Small Business Community of the San Francisco Bay Area. https://tinyurl.com/4n6vfzd2

Thursday, May 25 A Second Opinion Matters: Another Look at the Employee Retention Tax Credit

Virtual via Zoom

5 pm

Take advantage of this free webinar, presented by GGBA member and partner, Sequoia Lending, sponsored in partnership with PG&E. It could mean money in the bank for your business!

Many business owners have probably heard that they don’t qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit. That is not necessarily true. Learn how getting a second opinion at qualifying for the Employee Retention Tax Credit could put money back into your pocket. https://tinyurl.com/y66u7xdp

Thursday, June 1 2023 Power Connect Oasis 298 11th Street, San Francisco 6 pm–9 pm

Welcome to Power Connect 2023, the signature annual event for the Golden Gate Business Association.

This year’s gala, hosted by Oasis, will have a new element, an online fundraising auction! Register now: https://tinyurl.com/3fz4u5p2

Thursday, August 24; Thursday, November 9

Chase for Business Presents: LGBTQ+ Business Certification & Readiness Series

Please join Chase for Business’ free series in partnership with the Golden Gate Business Association. Together, we will deliver curated business readiness courses quarterly to help LGBTQ+ businesses grow and scale. They will be presented at different locations around the Bay Area.

They will be hybrid events. Register for the remote option of the session(s) you want to attend. You will be emailed the remote access link before the day of the course.

August 24 (Palo Alto) Navigating Your Cashflow November 9 (Oakland) Cyber Security https://tinyurl.com/ykfpx7tf breast augmentation, body contouring (liposuction, “Brazilian butt-lift”), and complex genital reconstruction. Additionally, our cosmetic services encompass non-invasive procedures such as injectable neurotoxins (Botox) and facial fillers, which also happen to be a personal passion of mine. We meet you where your embodiment goals are. Come by and say hello!

GGBA: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Dr. John Henry Pang: I’m relatively new to San Francisco, having moved here from New York. My

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$1,498,000

Laura Martell (415)948-1282 laura@danielwinklerinc.com

Danielle Clements (510)734-1287 danielleclements9@gmail.com”

787 Monterey Boulevard, Unit A San Francisco

Condo with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, private roof deck, washer/dryer, high ceilings, large windows, north facing, easy access to I-280 and 101.

$1,195,000

Jeffrey Ploucher DRE #01248348 jeff@vanguardsf.com 415-272-5333 Vanguard Properties

Money Matters

Does it seem like, every time you think you have a handle on what the economy has in store, a new development throws a wrench right in the middle? Just me? I suspect it’s not just me, given the recent spate of bank drama SVB and First Republic are jarring on both main street and Wall Street. Even so, it’s important to have perspective and recognize the longgame is really the focus when growing your portfolio. Let’s focus on what we can control. So, how do you keep calm and carry on when it comes to your investments? Here are a few suggestions:

Keep things in perspective. Simply put, volatility is a given when you are investing. Everything from political uncertainty at home or in the far corners of the world to natural disasters to breakthrough discoveries can impact investor confidence. But history has shown us that market setbacks are typically followed by periods of recovery. Create a goals-based plan. Instead of chasing the next great investment or bailing out when stocks tank, develop an investing strategy that centers around what you want to achieve in life. Your goals are probably more stable than the markets, so a solid plan makes it easier to weather ups and downs. A goalsbased plan also removes the temptation to try market timing, where you attempt to buy when investments are low and sell when they’re high. This is challenging, to say the least, since no one really knows where the market is headed at any given time. And it could actually end up costing you money if you get into or out of the market at the wrong time.

Diversify your investments.

Investing in different types of assets helps spread out your risk. Often when one type of investment is down, another asset class may be experiencing banner growth. For example, bonds may offer an island of stability when stocks and other equities are plummeting. Using an asset allocation strategy, you can balance risk and reward by investing in different types of assets in portions that make sense for your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Invest regularly. One of the smartest ways to combat market uncertainty is to create a regular investment schedule. You can choose any interval that works for you—weekly, monthly, quarterly, or per paycheck. The beauty of this strategy is that you invest during both peaks and valleys, which helps even things out. And this disciplined approach helps ensure that short-term downturns have minimal impact on your portfolio’s ultimate performance.

Review your investments often.

Bob Dylan wrote that “the times they are a-changing” back in 1964, and that’s as true now as it was then. The world is ever fluid and your investments may need to change too, to reflect new realities. An annual review of your portfolio can help make sure your investments take advantage of new opportunities, while still aligning with your ultimate investment goals. Turn to the professionals. You may have read through all of these suggestions and still not be totally comfortable making important investment decisions yourself. No worries. A financial advisor can help you sort through the myriad options and create an investment strategy that works best for you. If you are nervous about your investments, especially when the market makes a major correction and drops precipitously, you might be in