SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Pride Month is celebrated worldwide in many different ways to honor the LGBTQ+ community. Around Syracuse, churches, restaurants and locals display their pride flags to show their support.
Those displays of pride don’t go unnoticed by OUT Syracuse founder, Michael Sgro. All month, Sgro is spotlighting businesses and organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community on social media.
Sgro says that it’s particularly important now given the tumultuous political climate in America.
“Visibility is critical for us dealing with these uncertain times,” Sgro said.
The Trump administation has targeted organizations that uphold diversity, equity and inclusion polices — threatening to pull their governmental support — in an effort to thwart DEI initiatives.
Many big companies like Target, Mastercard and other organizations have scaled back DEI initiatives in fear of retaliation from the federal government, according to The Advocate.
Two local organizations — YMCA Central New York and the Central New York Community Foundation — have stuck to their values of inclusiveness.
Stefanie Noble, the vice president of marketing and communication at YMCA Central New York, said it’s a “non-negotiable” for the YMCA to be there for everyone.
Jan Lane, the senior philanthropic advisor at CNY Community Foundation, said the foundation is fortunate because it receives mostly all of its funding from private donors and community residents.
“We feel this is an opportunity for us – and really a responsibility – to lean onto our commitment as an enduring compassionate community partner and leader so we can continue to consistently show up and show solidarity with all of these critical causes and critical populations that are in need of support,” Lane said.
The YMCA and CNY Community Foundation show their commitment to LGBTQ+ community through providing funding for LGBTQ+ organizations and building partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations like OUT Syracuse.
Sgro said he is simply taking the time to thank them for being bold enough to do so.
“It takes a few brave people to start saying some things out loud for everyone else to have some courage to do it,” Sgro said.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: OUT Syracuse applauds bold, supportive organizations
Myer Lee: Around Syracuse, rainbow-colored flags and decorations dot the city in support of pride month. But LGBT organization out Syracuse has taken it one step further. The program is applauding organizations on social media that are proudly supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Michael Sgro: I like to say – what I try to do every day – is pollute the internet with positivity. Specifically, I wanted to make sure we drown out any hate.
Lee: Sgro says this effort is especially important now. Many organizations are pulling their support for DEI initiatives that support marginalized communities because they fear retaliation.
Sgro: Visibility is critical for us dealing with these uncertain times. It takes a few brave people to start saying some things out loud for everyone else to have some courage to do it.
Lee: Two organizations in Syracuse that proudly support the LGBTQ+ community through funding and events are the YMCA and the Central New York Community Foundation.
Jan Lane: This is an opportunity for us – and really a responsibility – to lean onto our commitment as an enduring compassionate community partner and leader.
Stefanie Noble: The most important thing to know about the Y is that we’re here for all. And that means everybody.
Lee: OUT Syracuse is making sure that type of support isn’t overlooked.
Srgo: We just made it easy for people to participate. And now it’s really proliferating. People wake up in the morning, they see the story on their Instagram feed and they’re a little bit more hopeful.