Celebrating Pride Month in Parks and Recreation — Episode 138

It is officially Pride Month – a time to honor and celebrate the
LGBTQ+ community. And while we are thrilled to celebrate Pride
Month this year, the reality is that our LGBTQ+ friends, family,
colleagues and community members have been under attack.


In fact, just last week, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s
largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, declared a state of emergency for
LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. after a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation
across the country. So far in 2023, more than 525 anti-LGBTQ
bills have been introduced and more than 75 signed into law as of
the time of this recording – the worst year on record. Be sure to
check out Human Rights Campaign’s Impact Report, which shows the
real-life impact of this legislation across the country, as well
as their guidebook, which provides guidance for navigating states
with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. There are also ways you can make
your voice heard on this important issue, and I’ll be sure to
link to all of these in the blog post that goes along with this
episode.


And while the attacks continue, the fight for equal rights
continues. As park and recreation professionals, you have the
power to lead this charge through building inclusive, safe
spaces, supporting your LGBTQ+ staff and community members, and
creating a culture of belonging.


On today’s episode, we’re looking back at some of our previous
episodes discussing LGBTQ+ inclusion in parks and recreation. If
you haven’t listened to the full episodes from each of these
clips you’re about to hear, I encourage you to check them out and
consider what role you play in this mission. Together, we can
inspire change, embrace our differences, and create a world where
EVERYBODY benefits from the power of parks and recreation.


Tune in to the full episode to hear from:


Cal Dobbs (he/they), a queer transgender ultra marathoner and
long-distance hiker who is running across America — from
California to Florida — fighting for the inclusion of transgender
people in sports and access to gender-affirming healthcare.

Peyton Daisy O’Connor (they/she) a past parks and recreation
director for Buncombe County, North Carolina, who produced a
formal inclusion policy for trans kids, based on their own lived
experience.

Chris Mosier (he/him), a trailblazing athlete, coach and the
founder of TransAthlete.com. Chris is a six-time member of
Team USA, and in 2015 he became the first openly transgender man
to represent the United States in international competition.

Jason Shriner (he/him), a past marketing manager for City of
Manassas Park in Virginia, who discusses how his agency was
re-evaluating policies and spaces to ensure they were inclusive
for LGBTQ+ people and the ways they were partnering with local
LGBTQ+ advocacy and sports groups.



Related Links:


Human Rights Campaign: National State of Emergency for LGBTQ
Americans

Anti-LGBTQIA+ Legislation Doesn't Reflect Parks and
Recreation's Values

Episode 132 with Cal Dobbs

Episode 94 with Peyton Daisy O'Connor

Episode 92 with Chris Mosier

Episode 41 with Jason Shriner