In a massive state with such a small population, the reality of Pride Foundation’s work in Alaska is unique from other places in our region. First, the sheer size of the state means that there are more rural and remote communities than anywhere else in the country. On top of this, there are few, if any, LGBTQ-specific organizations in the state that have paid staff. Despite these challenges, one thing remains true about our work in Alaska—real solutions for our community are at our fingertips, and often just a phone call or lunch away.
Washington State 3rd Gender Markers: An Interview with TRANSform WA Project Director, Jeremiah Allen
Last week, the Washington State Department of Health released a new rule that adds a 3rd non-binary gender marker to birth certificates. I sat down with TRANSform WA Project Director and WA SAFE Alliance Coordinator, Jeremiah Allen, to learn more about the change.
Building Community, No Matter Where You Live
“I am Skyler Dundas, a 15 year old homosexual demi-boy in 9th grade. I use they/them or he/him pronouns; recently I discovered my gender, sexual, and romantic identity with the help of the R.E.C. Room and Frankie at The Center (South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services). Without the help of the REC I wouldn’t have met Frankie,
Counseling LGBTQ Clients in Challenging Times
Presenters from left to right: Dr. Supriya Kang, SCS Psychiatrist Donnie Goodman, SCS Deputy Director Aleks Martin, SCS Project NEON Coordinator and Addictions Program Supervisor This year, with support from a Pride Foundation Rapid Response Fund Grant, Cardea Services and Seattle Counseling Service were able to host 700 mental health providers from around the Nation
“It Started With One Group”
When Trinity Anderson returned to her hometown of Bend, Oregon nearly 10 years ago, she was searching for community—looking for anyone who could understand what she was going through. “I was looking for someone to help me through the journey and the process,” she remembers. A majority of Trinity’s family abandoned her when she
Creating Safer Spaces for All of Our Identities
Walking around Bozeman during Pride Foundation’s board and staff retreat last spring, I saw only one other person of color who was not on our team the entire time. The lack of representation I experienced led to a constant feeling of otherness for me, where it felt challenging to be a person of color and
Protecting the Rights of Every Idahoan
“Since the election of Donald Trump, undocumented queer and transgender Latinx people have been at higher risk of deportation and discrimination due to their legal status,” said Sam Byrd, director for the Centro de Comunidad y Justicia. Founded in 1996, this Boise-based nonprofit organization helps improve the educational, economic, and social status of Latinx Idaho
Making Strides for LGBTQ Communities in Oregon
Meyer Memorial Trust and Pride Foundation have been long-time partners, and share a deep and ongoing commitment to advancing equity in our foundations and more broadly in the field of philanthropy. Ever since Meyer CEO, Doug Stamm, and Pride Foundation CEO, Kris Hermanns, participated in a CEO learning cohort to help them advance equity, diversity,
“I’ll Never Take the Rainbow Flag Down Again”
As an HIV-positive, Latino gay man, I moved to rural Clarkston, Washington for nursing school and immediately felt the need to hide myself. I took the rainbow flag off of my car, and I toned down my personality—a little less flamboyant, a little more careful. But after a week, the rainbow flag was back up.
Tomorrow Could Change Everything
There is so much at stake tomorrow. The Supreme Court of the United States will consider the Masterpiece Cakeshop case and determine whether businesses have the constitutional right to discriminate against LGBTQ people. This is about so much more than buying a wedding cake. It is about whether our highest court will uphold the laws