June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and, while often a celebration, we can’t forget that the first Pride was an uprising, led by transgender people, particularly Black trans women and trans women of color. It is even more important to recognize this given the current resurgence of anti-trans legislation that has made headway throughout the country.
While holding space for this, it’s also important to enjoy Pride Month and celebrate LGBTQ+ people and culture. Here’s a lowdown on how you can celebrate Pride with us this year, plus resources for you to continue participating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community year-round.
Join an affinity group
Employees who identify as being in the LGBTQ+ community are welcome to join our LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, which meets monthly. Meetings are virtual on Zoom. The next meeting is June 23 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more and register.
Rainbow food
During June, our hospital cafeterias will be offering fun rainbow-colored foods for you to choose from. Check out your local cafeteria’s menu to see what may be offered in observance of Pride Month.
Pride email signature and background
Show your pride or allyship by adding a Pride-themed icon to your email signature and changing your virtual Zoom background to a rainbow-adorned one.
Flag raising
All UW Medicine hospital campuses will be raising a rainbow Pride flag on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at noon. Staff are welcome to attend the flag raising or go see the flag after it is put up. The flags will fly throughout the month of June.
In-person events
This year, many Pride events are happening in person again, and we will be there celebrating with the community.
Pride in the Park: Saturday, June 4, 2022, noon to 7 p.m., Volunteer Park, Seattle
This free-to-attend event will feature a can’t-miss lineup of local LGBTQ+ performances co-curated in partnership with Taking B(l)ack Pride, activities, food trucks, non-profit booths and much more. Seattle Pride in the Park is open to all ages with family events available throughout the day.
Seattle Pride Parade: Sunday, June 26, 2022, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fourth Avenue, Downtown Seattle
The 2022 Seattle Pride parade will feature the participation of Seattle businesses, community groups and civic leaders. Seattle Pride is about inclusiveness: all ages are invited to join in on watching the parade. UW Medicine is a proud sponsor of Seattle Pride Parade.
Register to walk in the parade.
All participants will receive a UW Medicine Pride t-shirt (while supplies last). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year we are limited to 200 participants, and we will fill the spots on a first-come, first-served basis. If you sign up after we have reached capacity, we will add you to a waitlist. Participation in the parade will be limited to only UW Medicine employees (no family and friends). Because of this, please sign up only if you know you will attend. Masks will be provided for all participants and will be strongly encouraged. All participants will need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the parade.
Resources for LGBTQ+ employees
It’s an understatement to say that it’s been a rough couple of years. Learn how to build resilience as a queer person.
UW Medicine has specialized programs for patients, students, employees and more who identify as LGBTQ+ or want to learn more about the community. Learn about the UW School of Medicine LGBTQ Health Pathway, the Transgender and Gender Non-Binary Health Program, and the Department of Medicine LGBTQ+ programs.
For the past 11 years, UW Medicine hospitals have been named Leaders in Healthcare Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Learn more about this honor.
Learn more about the history of LGBTQ+ activism in Seattle.
Check out local LGBTQ+ organizations Pacific Northwest Black Pride, Trikone Northwest (for LGBTQ+ South Asians), Entre Hermanos (for LGBTQ+ Latinx folks), and Gender Justice League (for trans and gender diverse folks).
Resources for LGBTQ+ allies
If you are a medical provider, get resources on how to provide inclusive, respectful care to LGBTQ+ patients.
Learn how to show up for the LGBTQ+ community, how to support trans and non-binary youth, and why getting someone’s pronouns right is so important.
Read a guide to LGBTQ+ terminology, learn about milestones in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, hear from gay elders who share their stories, learn why lesbian bars need to be protected, read about the experiences of intersex children, and learn more about asexuality.
Watch a documentary about Two Spirit Indigenous people and a documentary about the response of Detroit’s ballroom community after experiencing anti-trans violence.
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