Imagine waking up every day and living in a state of constant fear. Not because you are under any immediate threat of physical bodily harm, but instead, the fear of anyone finding out who you really are. Over the last 10 years, the LGBTQ fight for equality has made tremendous progress, which shouldn’t be taken for granted nor is the fight over.
For some historical perspective, I’ll be writing a three-part series about the struggles that once were and the reasons why it’s important to continue fighting for our right to exist. The first part begins with a well-known advocate in the Phoenix community, a Grand Canyon Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Sister Sur Mon Visage.
Phoenix Pride unites, educates, and engages people to support and empower the LGBTQ community and our allies.
We recently asked the community to offer feedback on the question “What does pride mean to you?” The responses were overwhelming, and we appreciate all of you who responded to this request! We wanted to share a few that really stuck out to us:
“Pride to me means being able to be your authentic self, being proud of who you and standing up for yourself every time someone questions your pride. I’m proud of who I am because I’m a part of a unique community with the same struggle all fighting for the same goal Equality for all.”
Phoenix Pride had an incredible and successful year. I’m extremely proud of the work we have accomplished in 2017. With the help of our dedicated Board of Directors, wonderful staff, committee managers and hundreds of volunteers, I am both humbled and grateful for our success.
Our organization is fiscally strong as we move into 2018 with a very robust strategic plan. We have the community’s support for the great work we do, evidenced by the highest attendance ever at the 2017 Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade, breaking the already substantial records set in previous years.
