Overlake Celebrates Pride Month

June marks LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and Overlake Medical Center & Clinics is pleased to once again recognize this annual observance as an ally to the many communities of people celebrating during this important time. In honor of Pride Month, we asked Overlake team members to share their perspectives on what Pride means to them.

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• "Pride to me is a time to both celebrate and reflect. It's a moment to honor the achievements that the LGBTQIA+ community has made in its pursuit of social justice and equality. To be grateful for those who have come before and the struggles they endured so that people like me can marry the people who we love and enjoy the rights and privileges everyone else enjoys. At the same time Pride is a meditation on the challenges that we as a community still face. Much has been achieved but much still remains to be done so that all members of our community can be lifted up equally." – Ian White, MD, Colon and Rectal Surgery
• "Pride month is a critically important month to honor all those who have fought for the liberties that me and my family enjoy today—and to remind us all that the work is not yet done—in fact, in so many ways, the work is just as important now as it was 50 years ago. We must not become apathetic. So, we together, gratefully and joyfully, celebrate our pride this month, and all the months to come." – Jenn McAleer, Chief Compliance & Risk Officer
• “Pride Month is a time to celebrate love and partnership in all of its forms!” – Emily Brandjord, Speech Language Pathologist
• “It's a chance to acknowledge what we've been through and how far we've come. There is still work to be done but progress continues. There are still fears and the inability for some people to accept others who are unlike them, but we have to continue the fight to eradicate violence and discrimination. It's a chance to share who we are openly and show that we are more alike than different.” – Sue, Overlake team member
• “Pride Month is a time for joy and love. It's such a special feeling of belonging and solidarity for all of the 'others' out there to know that you are never alone.” –  Shelby, Overlake team member
• “Pride Month is a time for LGBTQIA+ persons to celebrate culture, achievements, activism, togetherness and support. It is not only for those in the LGBTQIA+ community, but allies (those who support), family and friends. Even for those who are not "out" (visibly LGBTQIA+ to others), the above items provide an important role in support and send a message that other people have struggles, stories and successes to share.”  – Matt, Overlake team member
• “Pride Month to me means a time where my daughter is able to feel the love from so many people and remind her, she is not alone in this journey of life. Although she gets all the love and encouragement at home from me and her siblings, I know it's not easy for her as a teenager and being different from the majority of people. Pride Month hopefully helps her and other teens.” – Amie, Overlake team member
• "I am a fierce ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride Month is an important time, especially this year as so many regressive laws around being gay or trans are actually being passed. I am proud of Washington for being a welcoming state in support of LGBTQIA+ and gender affirming care." – Terri, nurse
• "Pride Month is a time to embrace and celebrate what makes us who we are and makes us beautifully unique. It allows members of a community to feel seen and recognized. Pride Month is meant to help us come together joyfully and see the common threads that connect us as humans, while still being able to embrace that which makes us different. Together, we can make a world where everyone can live as their authentic selves."  – Ian, Overlake team member
• “Pride Month is a celebration of liberation for those of us in the LGBTQ+ community. We still face a large amount of adversity and discrimination. Having a time to celebrate who we are helps to unite more people and spread awareness. This is also a time to educate others on these matters.” – Devon, Overlake team member
• “Pride Month means taking the time to remember those who were and sometimes still are discriminated against for their sexual orientation and a time to recognize the many people who protested, marched, and even died in the fight to allow all people the opportunity to love whoever they want.” – George, nurse
• “A time of the year LGBTQ persons celebrate the mileage and strides the LGBTQ movements have made, i.e., legalization of same sex marriages and freedom of association. That’s still illegal in some countries, like where I was born. – Jay, Overlake team member
• “Pride Month is a time for celebrating who we are, remembering who we've lost, and unashamedly being ourselves.” – Ashley, nurse
• "The LGBTQ+ community is under attack by some of our fellow Americans. Some businesses are caving to pressure to remove Pride merchandise from their shelves, books to help young people understand the community are being banned. This is a time when the rest of the community can show love and support for our LGBTQ+ friends and family." – Helen, Overlake team member
• "Pride is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. To honor the work that the pioneers of the community have already done and celebrate the future of the community moving forward." – Stacy, Overlake team member