Show your Rosslyn LOVE this Pride Month
Following the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, June became Pride Month to give visibility to the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Over 50 years later, Rosslyn is excited to continue to recognize and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community this month, and every month, in our neighborhood.
To kick off June, Arlington County Parks Department raised a rainbow flag at Gateway Park for the month, and employee affinity groups across Rosslyn are marking the occasion with Pride events and get togethers. The BID joined in the fun with a few neighborhood activations of our own. Read on below for how businesses, residents, and the community commemorated Pride Month.
Employee affinity groups create platforms for people of similar backgrounds and interests to gather, socialize, and work on issues important to them. With more than 30,000 employees, Rosslyn companies host a variety of employee affinity groups, all lead by enthusiastic volunteers who keep these communities going. This is how a few Rosslyn LGBTQ+ employee groups marked this year’s Pride Month.
Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton brought purple to the Capital Pride Parade when their employees showed their support on Pride weekend. The firm’s support of the LGBTQ+ community extends well beyond supporting their workforce. They announced their support for “Free Mom Hugs” through their Purple Paladin program, which helps emerging non-profits move from “start-up to unstoppable.” The non-profit aims to create allies who support the LGBTQ+ community through visibility, education, conversation and – of course – hugs.
Read more about “Free Mom Hugs,” its inspiring founder Sara Cunningham, whose son’s coming out inspired her to make more LGBTQ+ allies, and how Grant Thornton aims to grow their mission.
Nestlé
Nestlé had an enthusiastic group representing the company at the Capital Pride parade! This lively participation mirrors the company’s commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture for all.
The company is a member of Virginia Competes, a state-wide coalition of companies who believe that to compete for top talent, workplaces, and communities, they must be welcoming of LGBTQ+ people. As a member of the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, Nestlé has joined others in calling on leaders to abandon anti-LGBTQ+ efforts. And along with supporting the work of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Nestlé has earned a 100 score from the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index for the fourth year in a row.
Read more on how Nestlé puts inclusion at its core from David Fox, a member of the Nestlé Pride Alliance.
We want to hear from you!
We'll be rounding up how businesses and community members around the neighborhood commemorated this Pride Month! Are you involved in any exciting LGBTQ+ events or initiatives? Reach out to us over e-mail or social channels so we can feature your activity!
Singles Meetup: LGBTQ+ Edition
We're bringing the LGBTQ+ community together with the help of DC Fray and Assembly Food Hall! Join us for our Singles Meetup on Wednesday, June 22, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Assembly to mix and mingle.
Enjoy a fun evening of ice breaker games and music while getting to know someone new! Tickets are $10 per person when you register in advance, and $15 at the door. Upon arrival, we’ll provide one complimentary welcome drink to get the fun started! Proceeds from the event will benefit a local LGBTQ+ organization.
Gateway Park
Step into the rainbows at Gateway Park this month! We’ve added these installations to bring a pop of color to your walk around the neighborhood.
The rainbow complements the sunflowers that welcome visitors walking in from Key Bridge, along Lynn Street. Walk up Langston Boulevard to step up into the rainbow ring!
Make sure to use hashtag #RosslynLOVE when posting your Pride photos on social media. We’d love to share these pictures with our community!