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A Year of Pride and Progress:
Reflections from the Board Chair

20 December 2024

As we close the chapter on our first, incredible year at Carver County Pride, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable strides we’ve made together as a community. 2024 has been a year of connection, growth, and celebration—proof that our collective efforts to foster inclusivity and belonging are making a difference.

Community at the Heart
This year, we witnessed firsthand the power of community. From our Pride Festival in August to planning for 2025, you all showed up with your vibrant energy, open hearts, and unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive Carver County. Every smile, conversation, and act of allyship reminded us why this work is so vital.

Our partnerships with local organizations have been instrumental in expanding our reach and amplifying our mission. Together, we’ve worked to ensure that LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and their families feel seen, supported, and celebrated—not just during Pride Month but every day of the year.

Milestones Worth Celebrating
2024 brought many milestones:
🌈 Record Festival Attendance: The Pride Festival was our inaugural, yet welcomed 1,000+ attendees, vendors, and community partners!
💍Planning for a day of LGBTQIA2S+ weddings to celebrate love, resilience, and community solidarity.
🚀 Social Media Growth: 400+ followers and 650+ followers on CCP's Facebook Page
🌎 Launch of the Carver County Pride Social Group: We welcomed 100+ new members to the group and are excited to grow further in 2025!

Looking Ahead
As we step into 2025, we’re filled with hope and determination. Our vision is clear: to continue fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their identity, feels valued and empowered. This means:

• Expanding outreach efforts to reach more rural areas of the county.

• Planning a bigger and better Pride Festival for September 20, 2025.

• Hosting more community events that create spaces for connection and dialogue.

Gratitude Beyond Words
None of this would be possible without YOU—our volunteers, community members, supporters, and allies. Your generosity, whether through your time, donations, or kind words, fuels our mission. I am endlessly grateful for the love and support you’ve shown this year.

Join Us
As we embark on another year, I invite you to stay connected and involved. Attend events, share our mission with your networks, and consider volunteering or donating to keep our programs thriving. Together, we can continue to make Carver County a beacon of inclusion and pride.

Here’s to an even brighter future, filled with love, acceptance, and progress. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Ask My Pronouns

13 March 2024

Respect begins with addressing someone how they wish to be addressed.

Respecting someone's pronouns is a beautiful way to tell someone "I respect YOU!"

Recognizing an individual's pronouns is important for so many reasons... but here's a few:

Respect and Dignity: Addressing someone by their correct pronouns demonstrates respect for their identity and affirms their dignity as a person.

Validation of Identity: Pronouns are an integral part of a person's identity. Using the correct pronouns validates and acknowledges their gender identity.

Creating Inclusive Environments: Acknowledging diverse pronouns fosters inclusivity and creates safer spaces for individuals of all gender identities. It helps in building a supportive and accepting community.

Reducing Harm and Misgendering: Misgendering, or using incorrect pronouns, can be harmful and invalidating to individuals. It can lead to feelings of dysphoria, discomfort, and exclusion. Recognizing and using the correct pronouns helps in reducing this harm.

Recognizing an individual's pronouns is a simple yet significant way to affirm their identity, foster inclusivity, and promote respect and dignity for all individuals.

How will you show respect to others today, this week, this year?