Blog 6/2/23

PRIDE | Protecting the Spaces Where We Celebrate

Pride is a season of joy and resilience. The LGBTQ+ community and our allies come together to celebrate the joy of living as our true selves. We also acknowledge the resilience – past and present – that it takes to stand up to homophobia and transphobia.

Lawmakers in statehouses across the country are introducing and passing an unending wave of anti-trans legislation. Black trans women remain targets of deadly hate and bias violence. Armed neo-Nazis show up at drag brunches for adults. This Pride season, it will take all of our collective resilience to protect the spaces where we celebrate.

Before attending a Pride event, ask the organizers about their safety plan. For the safety of our staff, Equitas Health is only taking part in Pride events that have a safety plan. For your safety, and the safety of your loved ones, we encourage you to do the same.

Create your own safety plan for attending Pride events this year. Be aware of your surroundings. If something doesn’t feel right, let the event organizers know. If it feels safe for you to do so, tell event security or a law enforcement officer.

The LGBTQ+ community in Ohio and its allies have celebrated Pride for decades. There have always been those who want to force us back into the closet. Our resilience has proven stronger. This year we will need that strength to keep each other safe.

PRIDE | Crowd Safety Tips

• Have a plan. If you are going to Pride with a group, talk to each other about your plan to stay safe.
• Communicate. Let people know where you’re going, when you’ll return, and how to get in touch with you.
• Stay alert. Always look up and around. Take off your ear buds. Don’t walk while looking at your phone.
• Get fluent in body language. Pay attention to the non-verbal cues of people around you.
• Listen to your gut. Trust your instincts.
• Wear shoes you can run in. If something goes down, get away as quickly as possible.

For more Pride safety-planning resources, contact BRAVO at (866) 862-7286. To learn more about 2023 Pride events across Ohio, visit equitashealth.com/pride2023/.