Franklin Diaz

As Phoenix Pride celebrates “40 Years of Fortitude” this year, we are reminded of the time it takes for progress, and a message, to take hold. It’s part of the reason we are so impressed, and grateful for, CAN Community Health, which just began serving the Phoenix area in October of last year — after decades of service in other cities.

And just months after it began working in the Phoenix area, the organization participated in Pride’s Rainbow Festival earlier this year, offering onsite HIV testing and education. CAN will be the presenting sponsor of the Health and Wellness Area at the Phoenix Pride Festival in November and will continue to offer similar support with its mobile health unit. Read More

straight and cis allies – all of us. We celebrate. We reflect. We reminisce and reunite. We live.

So many in our community cling to their memories of Pride Month year after year as the lifeline that gets them through the eleven other months of the year.

2020 changed that.

Those of us who have lived through the past month will remember these days for the rest of our lives. Not just because of COVID-19 and its impact – the postponement of Pride parades and festivals and events across the country and around the world. Not just because this year marks the 40th anniversary of Pride in Phoenix. Not just because of the extenuating circumstances that have closed our favorite places to congregate, forced us into virtual interactions and led to hoarding of basic household supplies. Read More

Bank of America has been there for Phoenix Pride for the past decade, offering support, funding and manpower for our biggest events in the most impactful ways. Bank of America employees in Phoenix volunteer 100,000 hours each year in our community, and have been one of the PRIDE Parade’s largest contingents every year.

But, what’s even better, is Bank of America has been a strong voice and partner for the LGBTQ+ community for much longer. Their commitment extends past a parade, although they do plan to have more than 400 employees and families participating in Pride’s next parade. Read More

It’s hard to quantify our gratitude for the support we receive from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), an organization that manages funds put in its care in order to create lasting legacies for good.

ACF believes community non-profits should be financially sustainable so they can most effectively serve the populations that need their support. And for the past 15 years, ACF has been offering that valuable guidance to Phoenix Pride, specifically related to the scholarship funds we award to deserving LGBTQ+ youth multiple times each year. Read More

Phoenix Pride is one of 28 founding Pride organizations participating in the inaugural Virtual Pride event on Sunday, June 28 on Twitter. Please join us, as this will enable you and your loved ones to show your pride online and interact with your favorite Pride events and popular LGBTQ+ social media influencers. The event will be hosted by GayTravel.com. Read More

Old friends tend to be some of the best. They know the struggle and they’ve been there to celebrate the triumphs. Aunt Rita’s Foundation, a Phoenix organization dedicated to the elimination of and suffering from HIV and AIDS, is that old friend to Phoenix Pride.

Aunt Rita’s is responsible for bringing the AIDS Walk back to Phoenix in 2008, following a five-year absence. Now a flagship fundraising and awareness event for the region, the walk is held on the fourth Saturday in February at Tempe Beach Park. Read More

It’s easy to say “Thanks.” What’s more challenging, though, is finding ways to fit all of our honest, heartfelt gratitude into those six letters. Sometimes it feels like one word doesn’t offer enough room.

So, we figured we’d do a little more.

As we continue to plan for our postponed Pride Festival and Parade in November, we felt it was important to recognize the support we receive year in and year out, even during difficult times, from our sponsors.
Read More