Originally published by the Cleveland Foundation
In 1989, Cleveland celebrated its first annual Pride in the city. Pride is the treasured time of year where members of the LGBTQ+ community can freely express their truest and authentic selves without repercussions. Every June, the city is decorated in symbolic rainbow colors to represent the overdue visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals. The month honors and remembers those who fought for LGBTQ+ people to be seen, heard and respected.
After a switch of format last year due to the pandemic, Pride in the CLE returns in full force with in-person and virtual opportunities starting on June 4. As we join the festivities, we also take the opportunity to recognize just a few of the many nonprofit organizations and efforts that continue to support the LGBTQ+ community and positively impact the Greater Cleveland area. The three organizations spotlighted below received grant funding through the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, which in its second phase focuses on basic needs, responding to housing challenges and PPE distribution to reduce the spread of the virus.