Skip to main content
Contact Sales Support Careers
United States (English)
Americas
  • United States (English)
  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • Mexico (Español)
Europe, Middle East & Africa
  • United Kingdom (English)
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland (Deutsch)
  • Nederland (Nederlands)
  • Other EMEA Locations
Asia/Pacific
  • India (English)
  • Australia (English)
UKG logo UKG logo
Search
Get started Get started
    • Solutions
      Solutions by Need
      People icon
      Human Resources
      Payroll icon
      Payroll
      Talent icon
      Talent Management
      People connected icon
      HR Service Delivery
      Clock with Person
      Time & Attendance
      Calendar day icon
      Scheduling
      Document check shield icon
      Compliance
      Chart bar statistics icon
      Reporting and Analytics
      Product Suites
      UKG Pro

      A culture-driven HCM suite designed to support your enterprise organization's needs.

      UKG Ready

      All-in-one HR solution to help leaner teams focus on growth and making a difference for your people, every time.

      View all products
      Make your workplace shine brighter with UKG AI
      Learn more
      Learn more
      Reference Image

      Discover the generative AI that shines a light on your data to illuminate the best path forward on your journey to creating a great workplace.

    • Customer Experience
      The UKG Promise

      With over 70 years of expertise with BOTH people systems and systems of work, no one knows people and how they work better than UKG.

      Our Promise
      Customer Experience

      We think you’re pretty special when you’re a UKG Customer. That’s why we build products designed to inspire your people — and your organization — to grow and thrive.

      Partner for Life
      Implementation
      Support Experience
      UKG Community
      Working Smarter Café
      Customer Stories
      Belle Tire

      UKG Pro streamlines and automates administrative and HR tasks, so that field teams and managers can spend more time with customers, and coach, train, and listen to their people.

      Eventide Senior Living Communities

      Eventide Senior Living Communities uses UKG to drive employee engagement and streamline workforce management and HCM, including cutting PBJ reporting time by 99%.

      See all customer stories
      Collaborate, learn, and get support for your UKG solution!
      Visit UKG Community Visit UKG Community
    • Resources
      • Research & Insights
        Research & Insights
        • By Business Need
        • By Type
        See all
        Growth icon
        Human Capital Management
        People icon
        Human Resources
        People connected icon
        HR Service Delivery
        Payroll icon
        Payroll
        Talent icon
        Talent Management
        Chart tree people icon
        Workforce Management
        Clock with Person
        Time & Attendance
        Calendar day icon
        Scheduling
        Document check shield icon
        Compliance
        Chart bar statistics icon
        Reporting and Analytics
        Lightbulb icon
        Product Info
        Video player icon
        Product Tour
        Article featured icon
        Analyst Report
        Document icon
        White Paper
        Book icon
        eBook
        Organization icon
        Industry Brief
        Chart bar icon
        Infographic
        News people icon
        Article
        Video player icon
        Webinar Replay
        Interactive
      Research & Insights
      • By Business Need
      • By Type
      See all
      Growth icon
      Human Capital Management
      People icon
      Human Resources
      People connected icon
      HR Service Delivery
      Payroll icon
      Payroll
      Talent icon
      Talent Management
      Chart tree people icon
      Workforce Management
      Clock with Person
      Time & Attendance
      Calendar day icon
      Scheduling
      Document check shield icon
      Compliance
      Chart bar statistics icon
      Reporting and Analytics
      Lightbulb icon
      Product Info
      Video player icon
      Product Tour
      Article featured icon
      Analyst Report
      Document icon
      White Paper
      Book icon
      eBook
      Organization icon
      Industry Brief
      Chart bar icon
      Infographic
      News people icon
      Article
      Video player icon
      Webinar Replay
      Interactive
      Events
      Tradeshows
      Conferences
      Webinars
      See all events
      Blogs
      The People Purpose Blog

      Your source for the latest life-work trends and ideas from UKG experts and leaders. Stay informed and put people first in all you do.

      Workforce Institute

      Think tank that helps organizations drive performance by addressing HCM and workforce management issues.

      Workplace Resources
      Great Place To Work
      Pay Equity Resources
      Human Insights
      UKG Developer Hub
      UKG Named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Cloud HCM Suites for 1,000+ Employee Enterprises for the Sixth Time
      Get The Report
      Get The Report
      Reference Image
      Gartner Magic Quadrant 2023 Image

      Get a comprehensive understanding of the human capital management (HCM) market to help you determine the solution that best fits your organization’s needs.

    • About Us
      About UKG

      Learn more about UKG and how our HR solutions inspire workforces and businesses around the world to drive people-focused results.

      About Us
      Why UKG
      UKG Leadership
      Newsroom
      Awards & Recognition
      UKG Ambassadors
      Culture
      Belonging, Equity, and Impact
      Our ESG Program
      Partners
      UKG Marketplace
      Analyst Reports
      Careers

      Look to your future. If you're interested in working for a company that truly invests in their people to create a culture of belonging and innovation, we want you on our team.

      Careers at UKG
      Early Career & Internships
      Benefits
      Life at UKG
      Featured Locations
      FAQs
      Experience awesome at work.
      Search jobs at UKG Search jobs at UKG
    Contact Sales Support Careers
    United States (English)
    Americas
    • United States (English)
    • Canada (English)
    • Canada (Français)
    • Mexico (Español)
    Europe, Middle East & Africa
    • United Kingdom (English)
    • France (Français)
    • Deutschland (Deutsch)
    • Nederland (Nederlands)
    • Other EMEA Locations
    Asia/Pacific
    • India (English)
    • Australia (English)
    Search Get started Get started
    News people icon
    Life at UKG

    Pride Month Part 3: A Mother Celebrates Her Trans/Non-Binary Child

    June 29, 2022
    An individual holding a rainbow flag to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community
    • Share
    See all blog stories See all blog stories
    Stay up to date with The People Purpose Blog
    Subscribe via email Subscribe via email
    Subscribe via RSS

    Written By

    Carmen Mason
    Carmen Mason
    Principal Talent Acquisition Brand Manager

    As Principal Talent Acquisition Brand Manager, Carmen Mason leads UKG’s talent brand efforts and partners across the organization to promote UKG as an employer of choice. Carmen has a passion for storytelling and finding creative ways to engage candidates.

    Topics

    Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Employee Resource Groups Employee Resource Groups Workplace Culture Workplace Culture

    PRIDE at UKG is an employee resource group (ERG) dedicated to celebrating our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, non-binary, intersex, and ally (LGBTQ+) employees at UKG. PRIDE at UKG aims to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where U Krewers feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work each day.

    In honor of Pride Month, UKG chatted with members of the Rainbow Parents Pod, a subgroup within our PRIDE ERG, to learn more about their family’s experiences as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The Rainbow Parents shared their stories of acceptance and understanding, as well as the most challenging parts of their journey.

    This is the third and final story in our Pride Month series. Read the first two conversations here and here.

    Anonymous U Krewer

    (Pseudonym used throughout)

    Tell us about your family’s experience with the LGBTQ+ community? As a freshman in high school, my AFAB (assigned female at birth) child, Jessica, came out as bisexual at our local Pride fest by texting my husband and me a photo of them holding a bi flag with the word “surprise!” During Jessica’s senior year of high school, they told us they identified as trans/non-binary, so we began using “they/them” pronouns when referring to them. They just completed their first year away at college and are continuing their journey and prepping for a physical transition in the way of hormones and top surgery later this year. It’s a constant evolution, and we are learning to go with the flow as much as possible to support them.

    Has this experience changed your perspective? We are constantly adjusting but want our child to be happy in their skin. I have many gay friends and colleagues from throughout my life/career, so Jessica coming out as bisexual was an easy adjustment. Being non-binary has been a steeper hill to climb mainly because it’s a newer concept to us. It requires retraining of our language, thoughts, and actions. It’s easy to grasp the idea of gender being a spectrum but getting the pronouns right can be a challenge. This is especially true as Jessica is a twin, and we are used to them using the same pronouns. Now one is she/her and the other is they/them. We also have a son (he/him).

    What has been the most challenging part of this journey? As of today, I would say the most challenging part has been trusting Jessica to make these huge decisions about permanent physical changes when they are just 18 years old. It’s not that I have issues with transitioning/trans people in general. It’s more about wanting Jessica to be happy with the changes for a long time to come. I worry if it’s the right decision, but at the same time, I know it may be the best thing they ever do for themselves. I think it’s natural for parents to have concern when our young adult children make life-altering decisions. I support them and (sincerely) hope for the best. 

    How has the Rainbow Parents Pod supported you? The Rainbow Parents Pod has been a great place to feel included as one of many families with similar situations. It feels good to know there are so many supportive parents out there and gives one hope that our rainbow kids will find comfort and acceptance in the world as well. I’ve also earned at least one confidant from the group, and we get together over Teams occasionally to talk about our lives. I feel a lot of pride (excuse the pun) to work for a company that is so inclusive as to allow this level of support and camaraderie at work. I hope, when Jessica enters the professional workforce, they find themselves in a similar situation.

    I feel a lot of pride (excuse the pun) to work for a company that is so inclusive as to allow this level of support and camaraderie at work.

    Why is it important to create an open environment for people to ask questions and talk freely? For a few reasons: First, this pod creates a resource where we can learn more about the LGBTQ+ experience/community without forcing our rainbow kids to be our educators. Second, it can be intimidating for a parent that wants to be viewed as supportive to ask questions. I like a safe space where sharing questions or parental concerns won’t be misinterpreted as homo- or transphobia. When “out there” in the real world, I only want to present a united front in support of acceptance and love of all people, and especially my child and their community. Lastly, I believe the more we are immersed in all things LGBTQ+, the more “normal” and “regular” it will become for everyone.

    Share advice for a parent who is new to the LGBTQ+ community:

    1. Listen to your child. Let them share what they want, but seek education from other sources (such as online and in books) rather than putting your child in the position to have to explain things to you all the time.
    2. To build understanding and empathy, immerse yourself in things relating to the LGBTQ+ community as much as possible — TV shows, movies, festivals, online communities, and social media accounts are some examples.
    3. When in doubt, just love your kid. 

    What is your greatest wish for your child? Happiness and comfort in their skin.

    Interested in joining the U Krew? Explore careers at UKG.
    • The People Purpose Blog
    • Pride Month Part 3: A Mother Celebrates Her Trans/Non-Binary Child

    Related Stories

    LinkedIn Profile
    The People Purpose Blog

    Unlocking Career Doors: The Ultimate Guide to a Standout LinkedIn Profile

    Ten steps to build a standout LinkedIn profile that reflects your professional identity and opens doors to new opportunities. 

    A job candidate interviewing for a role
    The People Purpose Blog

    Curious About a Company’s Culture? Ask These 5 Questions

    What questions can you ask the interviewer to really understand a company’s culture and management style?

    UKG Veterans Day
    The People Purpose Blog

    Celebrating Veterans, Service Members, and Allies at UKG

    In honor of Veterans Day, three U Krewers share how the military has had a profound impact on their lives. 

    UKG logo

    Footer menu

    • Human Capital Management
      • Human Resources
      • Payroll
      • Talent
      • Reporting and Analytics
    • Workforce Management
      • Time & Attendance
      • Scheduling
      • Compliance
    • Product Suites
      • UKG Pro
      • UKG Ready
      • Industry Solutions
    • Customer Experience
      • Implementation
      • Support Experience
      • UKG Community
      • Customer Stories
    • About Us
      • Why UKG
      • Culture
      • Our ESG Program
      • Leadership
      • Newsroom
      • Careers
      • Privacy and Security

    Sub Footer

    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Accessibility
    • Cookie Choices
    • Cookie Notice
    • Terms of Use
    • Trademarks
    • CCPA Notice
    • Licenses
    • Privacy Notice
    © 2023 UKG Inc. All rights reserved.

    Kronos SaaShr, Inc., a UKG Company (NMLS ID#1698726) provides money transmission services on behalf of UKG Inc. customers and in connection with certain UKG products.