MultiCare employees share what Pride Month means to them

June is Pride Month, and MultiCare is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community year-round. In honor of the observance, we asked employees for their perspectives on Pride. Here are some of their responses.*

*Some quotes have been edited for length and clarity.

What does Pride Month mean to you? 

“For me, Pride Month is a celebration of finally knowing my full self and living out loud authentically. Coming out later in life taught me that I am strong, resilient and brave, and has allowed me to honor the power and beauty of truth.”
— Stacy

“Pride Month means my daughter gets to be herself, without fear of rejection. It also means she gets to see other people like her be excited and celebrate who they are, without being rejected.”
— Amanda

“Pride Month gives my community an opportunity to plan events that allow us to come together and meet with others who understand and can celebrate how far we’ve come in advancing our right to love who we love, and in some cases, our right to merely exist.”
— Claire

“Pride Month for me is about visibility and presence. I am proud of the life I’ve built and the relationships I have made and I want to be here and present as much as anyone else in our society.”
— Jacob

Is there something you wish people knew more about Pride or being part of the LGBTQ+ community? 

“The LGBTQ+ community is not a faceless group. Every person is someone’s child, cousin, parent, grandparent, neighbor or friend. By supporting Pride and LGBTQ+, you’re not just generally supporting equal rights, you are supporting the chance for each of those people to live with freedom.”
— Brant

“Being part of the LGBTQ+ community means navigating a world that can sometimes be unwelcoming or hostile. It involves a continuous journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, often in the face of societal pressures and prejudices. It’s important for people to realize that the fight for equality is ongoing, and that support and allyship are crucial.”
— Carlene

“I really enjoy being part of the queer community. I love seeing all the possibilities we as human beings have for exploring and expressing love, gender and identity.”
— Jacob

“Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal event that sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. It also honors the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before, paving the way for greater acceptance and equality.”
— Billie

Why do you think it’s important for MultiCare and other health systems to recognize and celebrate Pride?

“It’s important for MultiCare and other health care systems to recognize and celebrate Pride because it illustrates a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. It demonstrates that both LGBTQ+ patients and health care professionals are valued. Celebrating Pride highlights that MultiCare is a safe space to work, a safe space for patients to receive care, and supports a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve.”
— Natalie

“At all levels of a community it is critical to understand and foster diversity. Doing so makes people and groups stronger, healthier, more resilient, creative and allows for different perspectives. MultiCare both employs and serves members of the LGBTQ+ community and should recognize and celebrate the people that identify as such, as they are an important part of the larger community as a whole and should feel welcome, supported and celebrated!”
— Paul

“Health systems celebrating Pride affirm that every employee and patient is seen, respected and treated with dignity. It is a public statement that MultiCare is committed to providing a safe, affirming environment. Celebrating Pride is a clear statement that we live our values, especially kindness and joy.”
— Stacy

“There is an ever-lingering fear within the LGBTQ+ community of being cast out or of being treated poorly by our society, so larger organizations recognizing Pride and standing with us gives many the strength to persist and carry on being their true authentic self.”
— Jacob

“… By being a part of parades, festivals and other Pride-focused activities, MultiCare is showing support for employees and community. The larger the presence of acceptance, the better chance we have to stamp down hate and prejudice.”
— Beth

How can health care systems and leaders work toward creating a more accepting and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ people?

“Learning inclusive language and listening to stories about each letter of our alphabet is incredibly important. Language isn’t intended to police your speech, its purpose is to protect us from becoming retraumatized. When you use our pronouns, remember our partners’ names and ask questions specific to our unique health concerns, you’re telling us it’s safe to be honest about what’s really happening.”
— Samuel

“MultiCare is already taking steps toward creating a more inclusive and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ individuals with the addition of LGBTQ+ curriculum to new employee training. This is a great start, but I think enabling and facilitating a way for these communities to engage ‘on campus’ and have a voice in sharing feedback or input as it relates to decision making will only serve to develop and support one of the amazing communities within our health care system.”
— Paul

“Health care systems can prioritize inclusivity by educating staff on unconscious bias and the importance of affirming care through yearly training that is not only computer-based. The voices of the community need to be heard whether it is from employees or patients that have received care. We also can use permanent visual signs of support such as signage or badge buddies to show that we are safe. It is also important to celebrate and acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community by holding events and education for Pride Month and Trans Visibility Day. MultiCare can increase staff support with a belonging group for LGBTQ employees where we can form connections, discuss issues and give each other support.”
— Stacy

Is there anything else you would like to share about Pride?

“Even if all you do is show up for 30 minutes, please attend Pride. There are so many educational and community booths that you can learn from. Exposing yourself to people who are different from you, in a safe environment, can help you lose some of the internalized stigma you might have about us. Even within the LGBTQIA2S+ community, there’s a lot of misunderstanding between communities. It takes time to unlearn harmful ideas, and attending Pride is an important step in that process.”
— Samuel

“The LGBTQ+ community is a large and passionate demographic. One that communicates better than many and will tell stories, good and bad, about their experiences. By supporting them openly, you will let it be known that MultiCare is a safe place for them. And they will tell others not only about the care they received, but how MultiCare’s support made them feel.”
— Jeffrey

“JOIN US! Pride is full of fun events for everyone. You can learn a lot if you aren’t familiar with LGBTQA+ topics. We love to teach about the history of pride. I myself am a huge fan of talking about LGBTQA+ through history and how our struggles have impacted others as well as driven change.”
— Rosie

“The first Pride was a literal riot. … Pride is not all ‘sunshine and rainbows.’ It’s a fight for existing in the same sunlight as everyone else. Pride impacts and intersects multiple minority groups, including Black, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, Islamic, impoverished, wealthy and working-class people.”
— Bellamy