Pride is Progress: Amplifying LGBTQ+ Voices in the Nonprofit Sector and Beyond

Every June, LGBTQ+ communities around the world come together to celebrate Pride Month — honoring the rich history, courageous activism, and resilient culture of the LGBTQ+ movement. For YNPN Phoenix, Pride Month is not only a time for celebration, but also a moment for reflection, recognition, and recommitment to shaping a nonprofit sector rooted in equity, dignity, and justice for all.

LGBTQ+ individuals have long been at the forefront of social change, challenging systems of oppression and creating space for people to live more openly, safely, and authentically. As young nonprofit professionals, we carry that legacy forward — ensuring that our work centers those most impacted, including LGBTQ+ Arizonans who continue to lead with both courage and compassion.

Honoring Arizona's LGBTQ+ Leaders

Arizona has a proud and growing history of LGBTQ+ leadership and advocacy. We recognize those who have made space for visibility, policy change, and collective healing — often in the face of significant resistance:

• Representative Lorena Austin (they/them) became the first openly nonbinary state representative in Arizona, advocating for inclusive legislation and mental health care, especially for marginalized youth.

• Miss Arizona 2021, Rachel Slawson, an openly queer mental health advocate, has helped normalize public dialogue around identity, wellness, and authenticity.

• Tucson Pride and Phoenix Pride organizers continue to create vibrant, affirming spaces that celebrate queer joy and mobilize communities around urgent issues impacting LGBTQ+ Arizonans.

These leaders — along with countless grassroots organizers, educators, healers, artists, and youth — remind us that Pride is not just a moment on the calendar. It’s an ongoing movement for liberation, dignity, and belonging.

A Call to Action for Nonprofit Professionals

The nonprofit sector is built to serve, support, and uplift people — and that must include all people, especially those who have been historically marginalized. LGBTQ+ individuals — particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), transgender and nonbinary people, and LGBTQ+ youth — still face disproportionate barriers to services, safety, and opportunity.

As emerging leaders in the nonprofit space, we each have a role to play in creating a more inclusive and affirming sector. Here are several ways we can do that:

• Review internal policies and practices for inclusion. Are your HR policies trans-affirming? Do your forms and communications honor chosen names and pronouns?

• Ensure LGBTQ+ people are reflected in leadership and program design. Representation matters — not for visibility alone, but for power-sharing and accountability.

• Offer regular staff and volunteer training on LGBTQ+ inclusion, trauma-informed care, and cultural humility.

• Support queer-led organizations by sharing resources, building partnerships, and amplifying their work.

• Celebrate and protect queer joy — not just in June, but year-round.

Local LGBTQ+ Resources in Arizona

One of the best ways to build a stronger, more inclusive nonprofit ecosystem is by connecting with the organizations already doing the work. Here are some Arizona-based LGBTQ+ groups we encourage you to know, support, and learn from:

• one•n•ten – Offers safe spaces, housing, health resources, and educational opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults across Arizona.

• Equality Arizona – Advances LGBTQ+ rights through policy advocacy, civic engagement, and leadership development.

• Trans Queer Pueblo – A migrant- and trans-led organization in Phoenix creating safety, wellness, and justice for LGBTQ+ people of color.

• Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) – Provides education, advocacy, and direct support for trans and gender non-conforming individuals.

• Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization (AZTYPO) – Supports families of trans and nonbinary youth through peer groups, education, and advocacy.

• Phoenix Pride & Tucson Pride – Offer year-round programming, events, and advocacy efforts to uplift LGBTQ+ communities in their respective regions.

Our Promise at YNPN Phoenix

We believe inclusive leadership is not optional — it's essential to creating the thriving, compassionate, and equitable future we all deserve. At YNPN Phoenix, we are committed to cultivating spaces where all young professionals — including LGBTQ+ members and allies — feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead with purpose.

Throughout Pride Month and every month, we will continue to amplify LGBTQ+ voices, share vital resources, and hold space for connection, growth, and joy. Whether you're just starting your nonprofit career or have years of experience, we invite you to be part of building a sector — and a world — where everyone can thrive.

Pride is not just about who we are. It’s about what we build together.

Happy Pride Month,

From all of us at YNPN Phoenix