June is Pride Month and what better way to celebrate than by speaking with a leading LGBTQ voice in the restaurant industry. Michaela Mendelsohn is a Transgender activist and restaurateur who made a name for herself in the El Pollo Loco restaurant franchise. Michaela joined us for a discussion on her experience in the restaurant industry as well as with TransCanWork, an organization she founded to bring more job opportunities to trans individuals seeking work. Take a listen to the episode to learn how you can become an ally to our friends in the trans community. (01:37) - Michaela's story (03:37) - Career impact of transitioning (05:28) -https://transcanwork.org/ ( Trans Can Work) (09:46) - How employers can support the community (12:47) - Welcoming diversity (14:18) - Job fairs (17:12) - Become an ally

To Learn more, check out the following resources: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ (The Trevor Project) https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/ (UCLA School of Law - The Williams Institute) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeqwfeIJrtw (2018 Faces of Diversity Award Winner: Michaela Mendelsohn’s video feature) https://www.natgeotv.com/ca/gender-revolution (Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Gc3DdlJmc (Trailer, Gender Revolution) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnUvKMhooA4 (Gender Revolution: Live Aftershow with Katie Couric | National Geographic) https://transcanwork.org/ (TransCanWork) https://chooserestaurants.org/ (National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation) Restaurant.org related articles: https://www.restaurant.org/articles/news/restaurateur-fights-for-transgender-rights (https://www.restaurant.org/articles/news/restaurateur-fights-for-transgender-rights) https://www.restaurant.org/articles/news/celebrating-lgbtq-leadership-in-restaurants (https://www.restaurant.org/articles/news/celebrating-lgbtq-leadership-in-restaurants) The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the National Restaurant Association (Association) and its affiliates. The Association does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or suitability of any information offered, and the listener is encouraged to do their own research and consider the applicability and suitability of the information provided for their own individual circumstances. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to https://www.restaurant.org/events/learning/podcasts/order-up (Order Up) in https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/order-up/id1511211971 (Apple Podcasts), https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9IcFhHRHhqVQ (Google Podcasts), https://open.spotify.com/show/3SOAkud8tkbaLCaU8W4Ne5 (Spotify) or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/order-up/id1511211971 (Apple Podcasts). It really helps others find the show. https://www.dante32.com/ (Podcast episode production by Dante32.)