June is Pride Month, which celebrates the influence of the LGBTQ community while also recognizing its continued struggle for equal rights. Hundreds of events are held worldwide during the month to raise awareness of issues facing the LGBTQ community and encourage more inclusiveness.
TwinStar is committed to making everyone feel welcome regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Creating safe and inclusive environments for ALL our employees, members, and communities is very important to us. We address diversity and equity issues every day by:
- Using inclusive language
- Removing binary gender wording
- Addressing misgendering and microaggressions
- Inviting employees’ pronouns
- Providing LGBTQ DEI allyship and advocacy training
- Creating and maintaining safe spaces for all, which are labeled with stickers at each of our branches
- Sponsoring local LGBTQ events
Additionally, we also have a Diversity Advisory Committee, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and an Employee Assistance Program — all of which are designed to support our employees and help them feel accepted and cherished for who they are.
And our efforts to foster acceptance and inclusivity extend beyond our organization. For the past several years, we’ve supported Pizza Klatch , an Olympia-based non-profit organization that holds support groups for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies during lunchtime at local high schools.
This year, we were a sponsor of the 10th annual Pizza Klatch Gayla, which is Pizza Klatch’slargest fundraising event. As part of that sponsorship, we donated $3,000 to the organization. We are also donating another $2,000 to Pizza Klatch that it can use as it sees fit to support its outreach and program.
Join us this Pride Month in celebrating how far we’ve come in advancing the rights of the LGBTQ community, while working to address the challenges it still faces. Here are some ways you that can celebrate Pride Month and support the LGBTQ community:
- Attend a local Pride event (Try a quick Google search to find Pride events in your area)
- Learn more about what it means to be an ally
- Wear Pride colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, violet)
- Donate to organizations that support the LGBTQ community and its causes
- Support LGBTQ-owned businesses
- Read books by LGBTQ authors
- Watch movies that feature the LGBTQ community/issues
Together, we can help to create safer and more welcoming places for people of all backgrounds and sexual orientations.