When we talk about Pride Month, we often highlight the progress American culture has made and how things have improved. While there are indeed many things to celebrate, let us not forget there is still work to do to create a more inclusive and psychologically safe environment for people that identify with the LGBTQ+ community.
For instance, did you know that in 2022 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQ+) people were nine times more likely than non-LGBTQ+ people to be victims of violent hate crimes? According to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, there were at least 937 hate crimes against LGBT+ people in 2022. One of many key findings reported that the “majority of LGBT violent hate crime victims are women (61%) and the majority of offenders are male (74%).” Click here, for more information about the Williams Institute study.
Not only is the LGBTQ+ community at higher risk for violent hate crimes, but they continue to experience acts of discrimination and exclusion. The Human Rights Campaign notes that current-day threats continue, including states banning access to gender-affirming health care. Banning access to such care can cause detrimental impact on transgender and non-binary youth who wish to be their true, authentic selves.
Advocates are working to ensure that we have policies and practices in place that recognize and support an individual’s identity, to ensure all employees access to education, resources and programming, and to build a supportive community for all – including our patients, guests, students, staff and faculty. This is done through partnerships and engagement with stakeholders across our campuses and community-based organizations and partners.
The sense of community has been building through the efforts of our PRIDE ERG. In partnership with the Office for Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Vice Chancellors LGBTQ+ Advisory Council and UC Davis Health Administration, the PRIDE ERG organizes the presence for UC Davis Health at the annual Sacramento Pride march and festival in June. Since 2012, our participation in the march has grown exponentially. Last year, we had over 400 UC Davis Health participants join the march. This year, we have more than 700 colleagues and students who are registered to participate from our organization. Amazing!
Get ready for pride march!
The PRIDE Planning Committee has planned pre-march activities for registered participants, including a “flag garden” to learn about the many flags that represent different groups within the LGBTQ+ community, reflection pieces from folks about “why I march,” and an area to honor the lives of those lost from people closely connected to the LGBTQ+ community.
While registration is closed to participate in the march on June 11, we hope you will consider joining the audience along the parade route and we welcome you cheering us on! Click here to join the festival fun and stop by the UC Davis Health booth to say “hello!”
Let’s bring our communities together to celebrate our differences and uniqueness, uplift our various cultures, and march in unity with each other. We are proud to create change and continue being a leader in health equity, diversity and inclusion at UC Davis Health.
Yours in health,
Matthew St. Amant and Annie Caruso Chair and Member at Large, PRIDE Employee Resource Group
