pride

We celebrate the LGBTQIA2S+ community and proudly launched the “Living with Pride” spoken word project for Pride Month, showcasing the personal journeys of Arizona LGBTQIA2S+ leaders through poetry.

Trey DeGroodt - drag queen. A glamorous drag performer dressed in a voluminous, sparkling yellow gown poses confidently under a ceiling of glowing geometric lights. The performer exudes elegance and drama with bold makeup, intricate accessories, and a radiant smile.
A group of three smiling individuals stands together against a plain white background. On the left, a person with green hair, tattoos, and piercings wears a striped top and layered necklaces. In the middle, a person with a mustache, wearing a green shirt and a backward cap. On the right, a person with long blonde hair and a bright smile wears a dark cardigan over a white top. The image radiates positivity and individuality.

The Essence of “Living with Pride”

The “Living with Pride” project features three short-form videos, each capturing a moving spoken word performance. These videos were shared weekly on our social media channels throughout June, offering a glimpse into the lived experiences of our community members. This project, directed by Victor E. Avila, our Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in promoting inclusivity and understanding.

Stories Are Common Ground

“Living with Pride” gives a glimpse into the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals through a shared cultural art form that is as old as time, poetry. For members of the community, the renditions celebrate triumph and tenacity, and for anyone who listens to them, they are as honest as any human experience told through a story.

A playful Black person wearing overalls and a light-colored hoodie sticks out their tongue while kicking their foot playfully in front of a colorful wall of vertical pipes in various hues. The vibrant scene is filled with energy and fun.
Living with Pride | Elijah’s Story