Why Pride Month matters to me
This Pride Month, I’m reflecting on allyship and what it means to show up for our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues who are part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQIA+) community.
Like most people who call North Idaho home, I was raised with the concept of the Golden Rule — to always treat others the way I would want to be treated. To me, that’s not political correctness; it’s just the right thing to do. Being an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community is making sure that everyone is treated equally personally and professionally.
At Heritage Health, we are constantly working to make a more inclusive health care environment for everyone in our community. Employees and community members comprise our LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee, which works to address the unmet needs of LGBTQIA+ patients and clients by spreading awareness, increasing diversity and inclusion training opportunities for staff, advising inclusive practices in Heritage Health policies and procedures (including spousal benefits to any married employee), and participating and providing support for LGBTQIA+ community events.
We’re dedicated to providing high quality care for transgender and gender-diverse patients. Our medical providers have received training at the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, part of Fenway Institute and participate in frequent, ongoing education and case consultation. Heritage Health offers LGBTQIA+ informed counseling and our substance use disorder services, as well as two support groups tailored to LGBTQIA+ folks. In addition to sponsoring North Idaho Pride Alliance’s activities this month, we partner with LGBTQIA+ organizations including: North Idaho AIDS Coalition, Human Right Education Institute, TransECHO and the Human Rights Consortium.
Our patients come from all different walks of life, including those who couldn’t otherwise afford health care or our behavioral or dental services. This includes those experiencing homelessness. National research indicates that while just 7% of American youth identify as LGBTQIA+, more than 40% of those experiencing homelessness are LGBTQIA+ or questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Sadly, the No. 1 reason these young people experience homelessness is because they were kicked out of their homes by their families or otherwise rejected because of who they are.
We have all heard the horror stories of a careless, unsupportive family member or friend that makes a comment that is disrespectful of someone close to us. It can be difficult to stand up for what is right in these moments, particularly when we are in the workplace, with extended family at a holiday BBQ, or otherwise in a situation where we’ve been taught “don’t rock the boat.”
When I hear or witness discriminatory comments, I think about the people in my life and here at Heritage Health who matter so much to me. I have family members and close friends that are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and that’s why it’s so important to me to let people know where I stand. I love my LGBTQIA+ family and friends so much, and while I’m not perfect, I’ll do all that I can to make sure that they have every opportunity to live a healthy and successful life. That means interrupting derogatory comments or language, and ensuring that we create a workplace where all people feel safe talking about their two moms or dads, putting a photo of their same-sex spouse on their desk, or having a conversation about pronouns or a gender transition with a supervisor.
Love is love, and the world — including our special corner of it — needs more of it. In a time when North Idaho can feel so divided, I hope that by celebrating Pride month, we can tap into that extra love in our hearts and make the world a better place. I believe we are all doing the best we can to be our full selves and find belonging in a world that without it, can feel like a pretty dark place.
Most of us were raised with damaging stereotypes, rooted in sexism, that are hurtful to LGBTQIA+ people. By acknowledging them and digging into our unconscious biases, we can do our part to change the community narrative and the way we view those who are different from what we might be used to or most comfortable with.
During Pride month we take time to celebrate and honor the history of the LGBTQIA+ community and the significant strides forward that have been made for civil rights and equality in society. We also recognize the positive impact that so many members of the LGBTQIA+ community have made on society.
I believe that love is love and people are people. I admire Brene Brown’s words that feel especially fitting during this month. She says that it is easy to hate people “from far away.” Getting to know those who are different from us enriches our lives. Please make the time to educate yourself about the positive contributions of our LGBTQIA+ community, as well as the unfair treatment that continues to exist in housing, employment, and yes, even health care. Offering your support and love will go a long way to helping reduce the fear and hate that the LGBTQIA+ community still faces every day.
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Mike Baker is the CEO of Heritage Health. He lives in Coeur d’Alene.
