Wednesday, July 5, was an important day in Pierce County. The Pierce County Council began its meeting with a Land Acknowledgement — a first for the council and an important step toward recognition and reconciliation. The Council also affirmed the dignity of all people by proclaiming July LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Pierce County.
“Every Pierce County resident should live without fear of prejudice, discrimination, violence, or hatred based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and as a nation, we’ve made a lot of progress toward this goal,” the Council wrote in a Facebook post. “Despite the progress we’ve made, many LGBTQ+ people, and especially transgender people, face disproportionate impacts in homelessness, housing and workplace discrimination, hate crimes, suicide, mental health, and civic inclusion.”
We realize it is a privilege to live in a community that is working toward progress and are honored to work alongside leaders and organizations working to make our community a place where all can thrive. As our community celebrates Tacoma Pride Month and The Rainbow Center’s Pride Festival, SiteCrafting remains steadfast in our commitment to being inclusive, welcoming and affirming in all that we do.
Our Commitment to Our Team
We know that when people can show up as their most authentic selves they do their most authentic work — that has been the foundation of our workplace culture from the start. We are guided by our vision to support thriving employees, organizations and communities and create impact through technology. That starts with maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for our team, clients and partners. It includes checking to be sure our health plan includes gender-affirming care (it does) and partnering with organizations that are working to advance justice and equality for all.
Our Commitment to Tacoma Pride
We are grateful to live in a place where there is support and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community. Events and festivals are back and we are honored to have the opportunity to unite with our community and offer our support. Last year our team volunteered at the Tacoma Pride Festival and this year we are continuing our dedication to volunteering, while also pledging a sponsorship to help support the festival and necessary resources. The Rainbow Center has been offering education and advocacy for our LGBTQ+ community for as long as SiteCrafting has been in Tacoma. It’s an honor to partner with an organization that has a history of dedication for the South Puget Sound.
Our Commitment to Social Justice
As part of our philanthropic initiative SC Gives Back, SiteCrafting has a donation matching program that includes an increased ratio match for our designated purpose organization. After reviewing our team’s donations over the past few years we noticed access, equity and human rights as common threads in the organizations our team cares about. And so, we are evolving our designated purpose to be defined as social justice. That means SiteCrafting will double every donation our employees make to local organizations working toward equality for all — that includes those working for equality for LGBTQ+ people.
Our Commitment to an Equal and Just Future
While the legislative decisions happening across the country are frightening, we find hope in the action and demonstrations of support we see locally and hope to contribute to the momentum for equality.
The first Pride was a riot and the fight for equality and justice continues today. We know that everything we do are small contributions and will continue to work to ensure LGBTQ+ people feel safe, seen and welcome in our workplace and community. We aren’t perfect and neither are the circumstances many of us live with; we promise to do what we can to make the world a better place.
