At Fello, we believe honoring a person’s full identity is essential to fostering true inclusion in our communities. 

June is Pride Month, and whether you’re a Fello employee or a person we support, we’re committed to creating a place where everyone feels safe, seen, and valued. 

At Fello, we encourage every team member to bring their full self to work. We know that people thrive in environments where they don’t have to hide who they are. That’s why we’ve worked hard to build a culture rooted in respect, equity, and acceptance. 

A Workplace Where Everyone Belongs 

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are a thread woven throughout everything we do. From inclusive on-boarding practices to regular satisfaction surveys and employee trainings, we listen, learn, and improve to ensure everyone feels supported. 

To be as inclusive as possible for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual+ (LGBTQIA+) employees, we are committed to improving our policies, spaces, and offerings. 

For example, prioritizing single-stall restrooms in our office spaces allows everyone to feel safe and secure. No one needs to choose how they identify or to wonder how they will be perceived based on the restroom they are using.  

Additionally, all of our Total Rewards available to employees’ spouses are also available to employees’ domestic partners.  

Family Planning benefits around surrogacy, IVF, and paid leave for adoption are also benefits open to all employees that support LGBTQIA+ employees and their families to grow and thrive. 

Our employees are encouraged to not just share their pronouns but let us know whenever they need to be updated, no matter how frequently that might be. 

These workplace practices reflect our deeper commitment to inclusion that extends far beyond policies. 

Pride Month and Our Mission 

Pride Month is more than a celebration—it’s an extension of our mission. At Fello, we remove barriers so everyone can live fully and freely. That includes the freedom to express every part of who they are, including their gender identity and sexual orientation. 

We know that people with disabilities often face added discrimination or misunderstanding when they’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s why we approach support with the whole person in mind. 

Our work doesn’t stop with awareness—it’s about action. We offer relationship- and identity-focused trainings for employees and the people we support about making space for understanding our identities, healthy relationships, and self-expression, including sessions led by outside national experts. These trainings help educate employees who support people with disabilities on how to approach topics around self-discovery, relationships, and identity in authentic, helpful ways.  

We also empower people to use their chosen names and pronouns, advocate for their personal preferences, and feel safe being open in their homes and communities. 

As one Direct Support Professional (DSP) shares: 
“The relationship training gave me real tools—like how to support someone through tough conversations, recognize unhealthy dynamics, and respect boundaries. It’s helped me be a better DSP, but it’s also made me more thoughtful in my own relationships, too.” 

Year-Round Support 

Fello’s commitment to inclusion doesn’t stop after June. We offer: 

• Comprehensive Total Rewards that support mental health and well-being for employees; 

• Access to Behavioral Health services for people supported by Fello;  

• A DEI Advisory Committee for employees to engage as thought partners; 

• Opportunities for regular feedback about Fello’s practices and opportunities for growth. 

This Pride Month, we celebrate the courage it takes to live authentically—and we’re proud to walk alongside our community every step of the way.