Our Pride in 2021

Join us in Remembrance and Recognition this Pride!

Remembrance

For many of us, Pride month is a celebration of diversity, resilience, and courage. To truly celebrate, we must remember the history and origin of Pride for the LGBTQ+ community and the significance this month has for so many here in our Bay Area Communities.

We need to remember that Pride began with the courageous steps taken to stand against injustice and discrimination by Black and brown trans/queer-identified people in New York City at the Stonewall Inn and even earlier in San Francisco at Compton’s Cafeteria. Remembering and acknowledging the history of Pride enables us to best reflect on the progress made towards inclusion, equity, and justice for our LGBTQ+ community.

We recognize there is still much work ahead of us as we work together towards a world where all of us can reach our fullest potential with dignity, regardless of how we identify, whom we love, or how we present. I believe the Y can and must play a critical role in leading and supporting this work and invite you to join in this effort – this month, and every month.

Recognition.

In the Bay Area, the June San Francisco Pride Parade has grown over time to be the largest community event of the year. It is a time for us to celebrate our collective community’s journey toward progress in and to rememberremembrance of how much our localthe LGBTQ+ community lost during more than 40+ years of the AIDS epidemic, and its continued impact today, and how w.e come together every year to ensure that loss is never forgotten. For many here in the Bay Area, this lossthe collective recognition of loved ones lost to AIDS has profound and personal meaning. We come together every year to ensure that loss is never forgotten.

Throughout the month of June, we will be proudly lifting and celebrating our LGBTQ+ staff. We ask you to join us in celebrating their service and contributions to strengthening our Bay Area communities for all.

Commitment

This Pride month – and every day – whether you are an ally or part of our LGBTQ+ community, I ask you to join me in an enduring commitment towards a kinder, more compassionate, and just world for our children, our families, and everyone in our Bay Area communities.

With much love and pride,

Jamie Bruning-Miles (He/Him)

President & CEO YMCA of San Francisco