In honor and celebration of Pride Month, we asked our team to choose one word that comes to mind during Pride and what this month means them. Here are the answers from some of the Charitable Ventures team:

Jake Roher, Board of Director

BRAVE

Pride represents the ability of a group of formerly marginalized people to be proud and confident about who they are; to unite and share with the larger community; to strive for equality in all things; and to cement their place in our culture.

Jennifer Medina, Director of Human Resources

LOVE

For me, pride means doing my part to be an LGBTQ+ ally. All people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love. I believe in helping Charitable Ventures create a diverse, inclusive, safe space for everyone.

Hallie Stolher, Client Specialist II

CELEBRATE

To me, Pride means that all folks who identify as LGBTQIA+ feel safe and confident to be themselves in any setting.It means equality, inclusivity, and celebration of sexual identity. It means those who do not identify as LGBTQIA+ are right there in community celebrating too! Pride month is the result of a social movement, and strong convictions. We can celebrate during the month of June and all year long.

Jasmin Ward, Program Specialist

HUMAN RIGHTS

Pride and LGBTQ+ issues are human rights issues. We won’t succeed in eliminating discrimination and disparity unless we focus on what every human being shares in common, while also honoring that some of us are facing additional roadblocks based on societal expectations, political agendas or legal limitations. We need to better understand the particular challenges of the LGBTQ+ community to identify blind spots and create protections. We all have an innate dignity that our government, legislature and fellow humans should cherish and uphold, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or other traits.

Mark Marger, Operations Manager

ACCEPTANCE

Pride means having the confidence and courage to stand up for what you believe in and be true to who you are with your friends, family, colleagues, and the public. Not only can pride be showing your “true self” to the public, but it can also mean being an ally and supporter to the LGBTQ+ community. Being an out gay man since my 20’s, and having legally gotten married to my husband when it first became legal in CA, I’ve seen how far we’ve come as a country.

Mia Borja, Executive Assistance

ACCEPTANCE

Pride means acceptance and an opportunity to show my loving support as a cis gender ally.

Savannah Claudia Levin, Grant Writer

CELEBRATION

Pride means a time to celebrate how far we’ve come – in the LGBTQ community and in our broader society as a whole, in honoring the whole spectrum of gender and sexual identities. I especially feel thankful to all the people who fought so hard for this for many, many, generations.

Susan Johnson, Program Specialist

ACCEPTANCE

I have a trans daughter, so, pride brings her to my mind. I think it is so important for the LGBTQ community to have a feeling of acceptance, openness and curiosity in all facets of life; from schools, to places of business, to government, etc. My daughter will be marching in the Seal Beach Pride Parade this month. Physically, I am not able to walk in a parade, but if I could, I would be right next to her!

Sydney Minchin, Program and Marketing Coordinator

ACCEPTANCE

Pride means championing the voices of those who have led and are leading the movement and highlighting the work that still needs to be done to achieve equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Pride is about creating a safe, accepting, affirming and thriving community!