Standing in Pride
When our Diversity Inclusion Action Council gathers to celebrate and acknowledge any heritage month, we endeavor to embody the clarion call to action. We gather as a community to create safe spaces for our associates to share their stories and amplify the voices of the often unheard.
This June, as we embark upon our annual Pride Month celebration, we’re amplifying the voices of FLIK associates in the LGBTQ+ community – how they’re celebrating with joy and how to foster a better place of belonging.
In an open call for stories, some of the LGBTQ+ associates at FLIK shed some light on how they tap into joy during Pride and what they need their colleagues to understand about the current legislation in play throughout the country that impacts their lives and safety.
In 2022, more than 385 anti-LGBTQ bills had been filed in state legislatures specifically targeting drag performances, gender-affirming care for transgender youth, and even numerous book bans. While it was a year of extremes, there were also major wins for LGBTQ+ Americans, including President Biden signed into law the Respect for Marriage Act that codifies same-sex and interracial marriages in the US.
This year the global theme for Pride is Gather, Dream, Amplify – an opportunity for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to join together in solidarity with the hope to create a more just and equitable world.
More than 50 years after the Stonewall Riots, it's essential to remember the history of the fight for equality and the ongoing struggle for representation. The Stonewall riots were a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, and Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman, played a pivotal role in those protests. Her activism laid the groundwork for us to be able to celebrate Pride Month today.
In an effort to honor the legacy of LGBTQ+ history, we've put together a list of resources including books to read, podcasts to list to, and films & documentaries to watch this month:
READ
- Pet a book, Akwaeke Emezi
- Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness, Da'shaun L. Harrison and Kiese Laymon
- We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation, Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown
LISTEN
WATCH
- Disclosure
- The Stroll (Coming to HBOMax later in June)
This month, guests in our cafes will also get to experience the culinary creations from LGBTQ+ chefs who have made an impact in the culinary world, like James Beard and Grayson Schmitz.
Another chef in our celebration is Lazarus Lynch, a two-time Chopped champion, musician, painter, and LGBTQ+ icon, and is the only Black, Queer chef to be featured at the Met Gala. He is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the culinary world and has been a mentor to young LGBTQ+ culinary professionals.
Check out his recipe for Spicy Crab Cake Sandwiches with Chipotle Remoulade.
Lazarus Lynch's Spicy Crab Cake Sandwiches with Chipotle Remoulade
Chef Lynch's inaugural cookbook, Son of a Southern Chef: Cook With Soul, honors his family’s Black Southern and Caribbean culinary legacy, while showcasing the evolution of Black culture in America.
Serves: 8
Ingredients
| CHIPOTLE REMOULADE |
| 1/2 c. mayonnaise |
| 1 small shallot, chopped |
| 1 clove garlic |
| 1 tbsp. adobo sauce |
| 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice |
| 1/4 tsp. Old Bay seasoning |
| CRABCAKES |
| 8 brioche buns |
| 1 lb. jumbo lump crabmeat |
| 1/4 c. mayonnaise |
| 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard |
| 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning |
| 2 egg yolks |
| 1 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped |
| 1 1/4 c. panko breadcrumbs |
| 2 tbsp. canola oil |
| 2 c. baby arugula |
Instructions
FOR THE CHIPOTLE RÉMOULADE:
- Mix together the mayonnaise, shallot, garlic, adobo sauce, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
FOR THE CRABCAKES:
- In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, egg yolks, dill, and mustard. Add the crabmeat, 3/4 cup of the breadcrumbs, Old Bay and stir to combine. Cover & refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Fill a shallow dish with the remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs. Form the crab mixture into 1/4-cup patties. Coat both sides of the crabcakes in the breadcrumbs, then place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the crabcakes until golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Cook in batches and avoid over crowding the pan.
- Spread rémoulade on buns, and place a crabcake on each bottom half. Top the crabcakes with arugula and serve immediately.
Before we let you go, we're signing off on a lighthearted note.
In addition to sharing stories, members of FLIK's LGBTQ+ community also shared anthems and songs that inspire Pride.
Enjoy!
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At FLIK Hospitality Group we believe in great food, great service, and great people. Our wellness first approach ensures our food supports healthy and delicious choices, specially curated by our team of culinary experts and registered dietitians. At FLIK, we believe in seasonality in sourcing our ingredients and providing a customized approach to the culinary and hospitality needs of each client. Our dedication to providing quality hospitality service is unparalleled in the industry.
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