This June, we celebrate Pride Month in allyship with the LGBTQ+ community, who add a wealth of diversity, ingenuity, creativity and so much more to our region.

At United Way of King County, we acknowledge that many members of the LGBTQ+ community are still fighting for civil rights enjoyed by others. We also realize that too many communities across our nation actively discriminate against them. We strongly condemn those efforts and call on leaders to act in support of LGBTQ+ rights, respect and inclusivity.

The struggle for civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community is also part of our work for racial equity. We recognize the disparities in LGBTQ+ communities and the intersectionality of Black, Indigenous and other people of color, particularly when it comes to homelessness.

According to a report from the Center for American Progress, a progressive organization based in Washington, DC, LGBTQ+ young adults are disproportionately represented in homeless populations across the U.S. and in our region. In King County, 27% of unaccompanied youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness identified as LGBTQ+, compared to about 1% of that segment of the general population.

The reality is that too many youth who identify as LGBTQ+ experience intolerance, family rejection, discrimination and harassment at school and other forms of aggression that lead to poor health, housing challenges and food insecurity.

In 2020, we supported Queer the Land, a queer-affirming organization that offers services to LGBTQ+ BIPOC people, through the Community Food Fund. The fund provides access to culturally appropriate nutrition to communities across King County. Ensuring that LGBTQ+ people have access to such services in a safe environment is a good first step toward ensuring their wellbeing.

We firmly believe that regardless of who you are, how you identify or express yourself, you should feel safe to access services and resources. We support and embrace anyone who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, whether you have come out or are not ready to, and encourage them to visit National Safe Place for information on staying safe.

We are committed to equity and inclusion of all people, and we celebrate Pride this month with our LGBTQ+ staff and community. We also believe that this should not be a temporary celebration of acceptance but a permanent one.

For resources to help celebrate Pride Month, see our resource guide.