50+ years of Pride & what you can do NOW!
Seattle’s first Pride took place 50 years ago in June 1974. More than 200 LGBTQ+ people gathered publicly for the first time - no longer willing to hide or be denied the right to exist. The echoing cry was “NOW” - which has become the commemorative theme of Seattle Pride 50.
Pride events are held annually throughout the world towards the end of June to honor the Stonewall Riots, which began as demonstrations against a police raid that took place on June 28, 1969 in New York City. Despite the decades of progress since that time, in 2023, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) officially declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. due to legislative attacks.
Pride Month is a time to celebrate the lives, accomplishments, visibility and vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as to gather in solidarity and resistance to discrimination and violence. At Humanize Wealth, we believe that we are at the crossroads of a massive opportunity for using wealth, and its associated power, to drive positive social outcomes.
In the spirit of Seattle Pride 50, we encourage you to get involved and support LGBTQ+ rights, initiatives and businesses this month – and all year round. Here are some key resources to get you started:
GSBA’s Pride Guide - Washington’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
We have been delighted to attend some of the incredible events hosted by the GSBA this year in Seattle. The GSBA is Washington State’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce and is the largest of its kind in North America. The GSBA website has a 2024 Seattle Pride Guide outlining upcoming events and fundraisers that support the GSBA Scholarship & Education Fund. The organization is composed of small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who seek to promote equality and diversity in the workplace. The organization serves as a key connector across the region and advocates for civil rights and small business.
Spend Like it Matters with Intentionalist’s Pride-Month-Marketplace Guide
Especially if you’re in the greater Seattle area, utilize this Pride-Month-Marketplace Guide by Intentionalist to find and support LGBTQ-owned businesses. Featured businesses range from restaurants to art galleries and everything in between. The guide allows you to learn about the people and story behind the items for sale as well as purchase gift certificates directly on the website. Intentionalist also lists LGBTQ-owned small businesses in other parts of the U.S. If you don’t see your favorite Main Street small businesses in the website’s directory, you can add it using the Suggest a Business feature. Intentionalist is looking to grow its directory to include businesses from all over the U.S. and the world.
Keeping an eye on corporate America - Human Rights Corporate Equality Index
Want to see how your employer or preferred airline have performed in supporting LGBTQ+ folks? HRC’s Corporate Equality Index 2023-2024 highlighted significant strides in LGBTQ+ workplace equality. This year's report revealed a record number of companies achieving a perfect score of 100, reflecting their commitment to inclusive policies and practices. Key findings include increased employer support for transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits and stronger non-discrimination protections. The index also noted a growing emphasis on supplier diversity and public advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights among top-scoring corporations. The report spotlights the 545 businesses that earned a 100 percent rating, representing every industry and region of the United States.
Give $$$
Consider volunteering for, gifting to, and/or amplifying the following organizations amongst your network. These are just three of many organizations in need of support:
Lambda Legal has been in courtrooms fighting to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and everyone living with HIV for over 50 years. These pro-bono lawyers have won many high-profile, precedent-setting civil rights cases spanning from marriage equality to fair employment and gender identity.
Since 1981 the Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated over 15,000 individual minors and young adults through over 500,000 service contacts. Lambert House was founded by a University of Washington child and adolescent medicine clinic director to address the physical and mental health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ youth.
Founded in 1985, the Pride Foundation is one of the largest organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community in the Northwest, with the belief that everyone should be able to live safely, openly, and genuinely. Donations allow them to help provide financial, technical, and community support to community members and students; partner with thought leaders across the Northwest to create strategies for progress; and advance public education, legislation, and ballot initiatives.
The Seattle Public Library has a directory of Seattle-based services that work to engage, support and mobilize the LGBTQ+ community. They focus on issue areas ranging from culturally relevant medical support services to civil and human rights work. Currently, the directory features 19 key organizations with links to their websites so you can learn more about each one and how to best support the cause(s).
The legislative battlefield
According to the HRC, in 2023, “LGBTQ+ people faced an unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LGBTQ+ legislative assaults in state houses all over the country. More than 605 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in 41 states and over 220 of those bills explicitly targeted the transgender community, particularly trans and nonbinary youth.” 86 of those bills have passed into law in 2023, more than doubling the number of bills passed in 2022. To learn more about the negative impacts of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, check out this HRC detailed report.
Crooked Media is fundraising to support organizations fighting in states where conservatives are banning gender affirming care and targeting trans youth. Help them hit their $100,000 fundraising goal.
Oh and don’t forget to vote.
We must collectively continue to support LGBTQ+ initiatives that need support at both the Main Street and the Wall Street levels. If you want to dig deeper in exploring the power, purpose and potential of your wealth, please connect with us.
