Update on actions OUT MetroWest has taken in response to allegations of racism in the workplace
May 17, 2023
This past winter, allegations of racism in the workplace were reported to the OUT MetroWest Board of Directors. In response, among other actions, the organization retained Brave Space Consulting to conduct an independent investigation. We appreciated the care and attention given to all respondents during this process and welcomed the investigator’s findings and recommendations.
The investigation revealed that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claim that the actions investigated meet the legal requirements for racial discrimination. The Board of Directors appreciates the support expressed by so many in the community throughout this process. The board also recognizes that there is always room to grow and improve, however, and is committed to deepening the diversity, equity, and inclusion work within the organization that has been in process over the past few years. Together with—and for—our staff, we aim to provide more resources and implement policies and practices to ensure that we may counteract and address unconscious bias and other disparities.
OUT MetroWest remains resolute in our mission to build communities where LGBTQ+ youth thrive and in our commitment to creating a workplace that is welcoming and supportive for all staff. We are grateful for the trust we’ve earned in MetroWest with thousands of youth, their families, and community partners. We remain committed to serving all LGBTQ+ children and young people throughout MetroWest and ensuring that our spaces are safe and supportive for everyone.
Respectfully,
The OUT MetroWest Board of Directors
2/2/23
The OUT MetroWest Board of Directors has contracted the independent investigation services of Brave Space. Interviews with involved parties will start as soon as possible and will be offered both virtually and in person to best suit individual needs.
Brave Space draws from decades of behavior-analytical experience to create evidence-based learning environments conducive to the level of self-awareness needed to constructively disrupt inequitable systems. A certified Minority Woman Owned Business through MA Supplier Diversity Office, Brave Space consultants are committed to social impact and community involvement. To read more about this organization, their website is linked here: https://www.bravespaceconsulting.com/.
1/23/23
The OUT MetroWest Board of Directors and staff take very seriously recent allegations of racism in the workplace. We are in the process of hiring an independent investigator to investigate these allegations; it’s our expectation that the investigation will begin in early February, 2023. As this is a situation involving personnel, we are unable to share more details at this time. Once complete, we will communicate the results of the investigation as we are legally allowed.
We are sharing this information with you – our community – out of a desire to foster transparency and open communication and to honor the trust that has been built between OUT MetroWest and our community over the past twelve years.
It has been our goal for over a decade to create and ensure welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and the staff who work with them. When the allegations of racism were first brought on December 13, the Board of Directors immediately suspended programming in order to ensure that our spaces are welcoming to all youth and staff and that supports could be in place. As of December 28, all youth programs have resumed in full, and we have implemented measures to support both youth and staff during this time (including special sessions for youth with therapeutic support the week of December 19). We remain committed to our values and mission, and our dedicated team continues working hard to create positive, welcoming, and authentic spaces for LGBTQ+ youth. We are continuing to deepen racial equity work that has been in-process over the past few years, including the ongoing work with racial equity consultants. We welcome the findings of the investigation and look forward to strengthening the trust that we’ve earned in MetroWest with the youth, families, and community we serve.
With questions or concerns, please contact our Board of Directors at board@outmetrowest.org.
