Celebrating Pride Now More Than Ever
Within the last few years, Pride has become even more important than ever as there are still many challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community. In many parts of the world, LGBTQIA+ people are still discriminated against, denied basic rights, and even persecuted. In the United States, there have been recent efforts to roll back LGBTQIA+ rights - especially our trans and nonbinary community members - and there is still a lot of work to be done to create a truly inclusive society.
Two members of our team, Stina Betz and Ed Seiders celebrate Pride in their own ways.
Stina and Ed after they were acknowledged at a company appreciation dinner.
Stina is grateful to be surrounded by people who support her and hopes that others will learn to be more open-minded. She believes that, especially in June, we should celebrate love and acceptance.
Throughout the year, Ed takes part in many community Pride festivals with friends and family, including his son, and uses it as a learning opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made while remembering those we’ve lost and the challenges that the community has faced. It’s important to reflect on ways to help with the work that is still yet to be done. He is thankful to work for a company that is diverse and inclusive, and he hopes that his work can help to create a more accepting world.
It is important to remember that Pride should not be limited to just one month out of the year. Here are a few ways one can celebrate Pride and be an advocate all year long:
Get involved in your community. You can volunteer your time to a local LGBTQIA+ organization, donate to a LGBTQIA+ charity, or simply attend local LGBTQIA+ events.
Learn about LGBTQIA+ history. It is important to learn about the history of the community and the challenges that they have faced. There are many resources available including books, websites, and documentaries. There’s also a whole genre of movies and television - both nonfiction and fiction - that highlight diversity and show the progress that has been made.
Telling LGBTQIA+ stories! Whether it’s through videos like those highlighting LGBTQIA+ owned businesses like we created for Visit Valley Forge and Montgomery County or profiling the courageous journey of Pamela as she undergoes gender affirmation at Temple Health or simply relaying stories of relatives or friends that have gone before us - stories are what connects people and hopefully in most cases lead to a better sense of understanding.
Stina and Ed at a tailgate event for one of our clients.
Be an ally. One of the best ways to celebrate Pride is to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. This means speaking out against homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination. It also means being a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people to talk about their experiences.
In their work, Stina and Ed both believe it is important to show diversity and inclusion. They believe that representation matters, and that it can help to empower people. They hope that their work can help to create a more inclusive world for everyone.
Celebrating Pride all year long is important because it shows the LGBTQIA+ community that they are not alone. It also shows the world that we are committed to creating a more inclusive and accepting society.
Happy Pride!
Christina Betz Ed Seiders
Ed and Stina with the people that mean the most to them.
Stina and her partner Sophia and Ed and his son Logan find their own unique ways of celebrating Pride all year round!