Showing Pride
This month the Community Food Bank is showing pride for LGBTQ+ organizations in Southern Arizona. June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the strides the LGBTQ+ community has made toward equal rights and reflect on the setbacks, calls for advocacy, and renewed solidarity. According to Food Research & Action Center, “LGBTQIA+ individuals and families have long experienced higher rates of hunger and poverty than non-LGBTQIA+ individuals and families…15 percent of LGBT adults and 19.3 percent of people who identified as another sexual orientation (e.g., intersex, asexual) reported not having enough to eat, compared to 10.4 percent among non-LGBT adults.” The Community Food Bank is committed to being an ally by ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcome.
We also partner with organizations, initiatives and mutual aid groups through our Thriving Communities Grant that address food security, community health, social justice, and the root causes of hunger in the LGBTQ+ community and the greater Southern Arizona community. We know there are many more organizations doing great work in the queer community in Tucson. Though not exhausitve, below is a list of organizations offering anything from health services to opportunities for LGBTQ+ folks of all ages to connect.
Groups & Organizations Serving the LGBTQ+ Community:
El Rio: El Rio Health provides a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, offering specialized care and support for their unique needs, including transgender health and HIV/AIDS treatment. Their commitment to inclusivity and expertise in LGBTQ+ healthcare make them a cornerstone of support within the community. In addition, El Rio and the Community Food Bank co-sponsor monthly fresh produce distributions at two locations in Tucson.
GAYMBER – Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce – GAYMBER, also known as the Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce, promotes economic empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community, fostering a network of businesses and professionals dedicated to inclusivity and diversity.
GLSEN Arizona – GLSEN Arizona advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusive education, ensuring that every student has a safe and supportive learning environment.
Kindred Connections Collective – Kindred Connections Collective provides a nurturing space for Queer and Transgender BIPOC individuals, with a focus on holistic wellness. Through initiatives like the Seeds of Wellness (SOW) project, they aim to cultivate ancestral knowledge, sustainable practices, and communal bonds. The Garden Group, for instance, fosters connections through gardening, knowledge-sharing, and communal meals, enriching the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in South Tucson and District 2.
Peterson Clinic – The Peterson Clinics provide essential treatment and prevention services for HIV/AIDS patients, ensuring access to high-quality care and support regardless of financial status. Their multidisciplinary approach and compassionate care make them a lifeline for many in the LGBTQ+ community.
SAAF – SAAF’s mission is to promote health, well-being and social justice for those living with HIV, LGBTQ+ individuals and communities marginalized by society. In addition to STI testing and pre and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP & PREP), SAAF offers mental health services, and linkages to HIV treatment, as well as programming at the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th aimed specifically at queer youth.
SAGA – Our mission is to uplift gender euphoria and trans and gender expansive + BIPOC artists. Our vision is to nurture Southern Arizona to be the most trans-affirming region in the US by 2050. We work towards our vision by holding firm to our abolitionist values and gratitude and pursuit for Black, TGE, disabled folks liberation!
Senior Pride – Senior Pride recognizes and responds to the unique concerns of LGBTQI+ older adults who are 55+ and their younger allies by delivering social and support programming in three areas: social & learning, health & wellbeing, and arts, as well as increasing awareness of LGBTQI+ and aging issues.
Splinter Collective – Splinter Collective aims to provide a safe, accessible and equitable physical and community space for liberatory art practices and social justice organizing. SPLINTER – Lost and Found, for which they’ve received funding from the Thriving Communities grant, will redefine the concept of a thrift store by providing services tailored to LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and allied communities. This innovative space will not only offer income generation and job training but also serves as a hub for community-building and resource sharing, reducing waste and uplifting the community in one stroke.
TIHAN – TIHAN brings together diverse organizations to create a supportive network for people living with HIV, fostering inclusivity and solidarity within the community.
Tucson Pride – Tucson Pride is comprised of a group of volunteers committed to supporting the community, outreach, and advocacy. Most Pride festivities around the world are held in June, when temperatures in Tucson hit triple digits. Tucson Pride, instead takes place September when temperatures are milder. This year’s Pride Parade and Pride Festival’s will take place September 27 and 28, 2024.
The LGBTQ+ community in Tucson may be small but it’s nothing if not mighty. There are a great diversity of services and social groups that make the Tucson area a welcoming place to live. The Community Food Bank is proud to be among those organizations who warmly welcome the queer community.