Leadership Message: PRIDE - The importance of community, visibility and unity

Dear Colleagues,

The month of June has always been my favorite time, as it is a time of community, visibility, and unity. I have identified as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community since my teenage years and hold this time to elevate the community, increase visibility, and amplify our unity. I feel more visible and unified with the large community in June than in any other month. This is a time for joy, solidarity, remembering where we’ve been, and reaffirming our commitment to equity and inclusion for our community.

Pride, at its core, is about visibility. It’s about shining a light on the stories of our authentic lives, struggles, triumphs, and truths. For far too long, our community hid our love, identities, and experiences. And yet, here we are today, standing strong, unapologetic, and proud. We are visible. And we will remain visible. For ourselves, those who have passed, and those on the journey of discovering their identity.

Visibility is not just about being seen—it’s about being heard. It’s about having our voices amplified and being part of a larger, collective movement—a movement built on the shoulders of those before us—the pioneers of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement who, through their courage, have paved the way for us to be here today. As we stand together today, we honor their unapologetic bravery and continue the fight for equality, inclusion, and love.

In celebration, we must also acknowledge that we live in a world where our rights are threatened, and our future feels unknown. I share these fears and recognize the fragility of our community as public policies that have a significant impact on our community – transphobia, marriage equality, gender identity, and health equity – are being hotly debated in the public sphere.

In this community, we have an undeniable strength that comes not only from being individuals but also from joining together. We are more than a collection of identities; we are a collective force, bound together by love, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to each other. This is a community that supports, empowers, and uplifts one another. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, your voice matters. Your presence here matters.

The beauty and strength of our community is its diversity. We are a rainbow of identities, experiences, and stories. In this diversity, we find our strength. We find strength in each other’s stories, our shared experiences, and the support we offer one another. And, targeting people because of who they are is something we can all hopefully agree does not belong in today’s world.

During Pride Month and beyond, if you feel unseen or concerned about the public debate, I encourage you to lean on the community around you. This is a time to attend gatherings, make new friends, and ensure your existing friends are coping. There is no shame in needing a hand to hold, a shoulder to cry on, or simply someone to sit with you in silence when the weight of the world feels too much.

We are a family. A chosen family that transcends bloodlines and embraces those who are often cast aside. And in this family, we have a wealth of knowledge, love, and strength that we can share with one another. In our unity, we are unbreakable.

I will participate in the PRIDE celebration this June by joining my UC Davis Health community at the Sacramento Pride March on June 15th. I invite you to join your community in celebration this month!

Our visibility, in all its forms, matters. Whether you are marching, speaking out for equality in your workplace, or simply living authentically in your everyday life, you are making a difference. Every time we step into the world as our true selves, we dismantle the walls of fear and ignorance that kept so many of us in the shadows.

So, I urge you to remain visible—no matter where you are on your journey—and be the shining example of the love and light that you bring into this world. Your authenticity has the power to inspire, heal, and change lives.

As we celebrate Pride Month 2025, let’s remember that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. We are part of a global movement that will change the world. And each and every one of us, through our visibility, through our unity, through our support of one another, is a vital part of that movement.

Happy Pride!

Joleen Lonigan, DNP, RN, NE-BC, FACHE
Patient Care Services, VP, Associate Chief Nursing Executive
UC Davis Medical Center

More information is available online about 2025 Pride Month activities and the Pride ERG.Visit the ERG website to learn more about all our UC Davis Health Employee Resource Groups. These groups are open to anyone, regardless of background, who wishes to support, participate in, or be educated about the many cultures and communities at UC Davis Health. Membership and participation in Employee Resource Group activities are not dependent on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any protected category under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.