June is the month to celebrate and honor LGBTQIA+ Pride (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other sexual orientations and genders). Pride celebrations worldwide have their roots in the first Pride event organized by Brenda Howard, commemorating the first anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, which was a turning point in LGBTQIA+ liberation.
Known as “the Mother of Pride,” Howard is one of the activists credited with popularizing the moniker “Pride” for such celebrations. Seattle held its first pride parade in 1974 and now boasts the fourth largest in the country. This year, it will continue that tradition with a virtual Pride celebration on June 26 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event features local and national performers, speakers, virtual booths and discussions, with a focus on this year’s theme, Resilience.
Pride month is a reminder that cultural and structural biases and barriers are can be changed. A prime example is the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015. Still, more than half a century after Stonewall, it is painfully clear that the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights is far from over. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2021 may well surpass 2015 as the worst year for anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, with eight bills having been passed into law and ten more pending. Some of them prohibit transgender students from participating in sports, accessing gender-affirming medical care, and accessing bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. Other bills seek to prohibit LGBTQIA+ inclusive education and permit LGBTQIA+ discrimination based on religious belief. Amidst this spate of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation there are some positive signs. On his first day in office, President Biden issued Executive Order 13988 on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation. Additionally, last month, Washington state enacted Senate Bill 5313 into law, prohibiting the denial of gender-affirming medical treatment on the basis of gender identity or expression.
At Olympic College, students can study the many facets of LGBTQIA+ identities, perspectives and movements in courses focused on Diversity and Social Justice. Students and employees alike can help signal a gender- and sexuality-inclusive climate by sharing their pronouns (she/her, ze/zir). Here is an example of how you can modify your email signature block to include your pronouns:
Thank you,
Your Name
Olympic College
Title
@email
O: XXX-XXX-XXX | C: XXX-XXX-XXX
pronouns: they, them, theirs
For information on using inclusive language, visit the Equity & inclusion website LGBTQIA+ Resources webpage.
Employees can find additional information about formatting signature blocks on our internal intranet page: Signature Block Guidance for Olympic College Employees.
Pride Month Events
Seattle Pride
June 26 – 27
Seattle Pride is hosting a virtual celebration 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., June 26 – 27.
Visit the Seattle Pride website for more info | Connect with Seattle Pride on Facebook.
Kitsap County Pride
July 31, 2021
Kitsap Pride is planning an in-person celebration and concert. More details coming soon.
Visit the Kitsap Pride website for more info | Connect with Kitsap Pride Network on Facebook.
Happy Pride Month!
Cheryl L. Nuñez
Vice President for Equity & Inclusion
@email; 360-475-7125
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
