HENDERSON, Nev.– CU Pride, a community organization for the LGBTQ+ community within credit unions, has announced it will host the first Virtual Pride Event on Friday, June 19.
The objective, according to organizers, is to provide opportunities to “engage, learn and celebrate with our LGBTQ+ credit union family, allies and supporters.”
CU Pride was launched earlier this year in Washington as part of a #MeetUp during Mitchell Stankovic’s Underground Collision RAW event, held in conjunction with CUNA’s GAC.
Now, say organizers, “CU Pride has become a formal organization focused on driving vulnerable collaboration around the critical issues impacting the credit union LGBTQ+ community and members they serve. CU Pride is an important component of all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and will #STANDUP to have a voice within the industry.”
Brandi Stankovic, chief strategy officer with CU Solutions Group, said the objective of the CU Pride event in June is to create a sense of priority around a group of people within credit unions who have lacked a voice to date and who represent a critical part of any DEI initiative.
Stankovic said with many founding groups, data on size of LGTBQ+ community is primarily anecdotal, with the organization saying in a statement specific research and resources have not been focused on the LGBTQ+ community in credit unions until now. CU Pride said it will bring that emphasis while respecting every individual’s situation, Stankovic said it’s likely those who identify as LGBTQ+ within the credit union community mirror the general U.S. population. A 2017 Gallup poll found 4.5% of American adults identify as LGBT.
Reasons for Existence
According to organizers, CU Pride exists to:
- Create a network and promote visibility of the LGBTQ+ community within credit unions
- Provide a safe but brave place for communion and discussion
- Create a forum for allies and social change agents
- Promote inclusivity and consciousness through programs, education and networking
“In 2017, I was part of an Underground Collision panel focused on the realities of diversity. It was engaging and enraging, yet also exciting to have an open forum to share,” Element FCU CEO Linda Bodie said. “Our journey began, and conversations started. This year, at the DC Underground Collision RAW, when we talked about Maslow’s Hierarchy and Love and Belonging, it was satisfying to know that we had turned ideas into action with the announcement of CU Pride. We are standing up at the forefront of issues facing the LGBTQ+ community within credit unions.”
According to organizers, the LGBTQ+ community challenges are different than others and have been acutely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, because many already face financial and housing instability.
“And social distancing, while necessary, hit the LGBTQ+ community particularly hard; the isolation can bring on depression and suicidal thoughts, for which they’re already more at risk than the general population, or they may be trapped in the house with an unsupportive or abusive family or partner,” organizers said .Older gay people are less likely to have children or grandchildren to check in on them or support them in general, but particularly during isolation due to coronavirus.”
The Organizers
CU Pride has been formed by Bodie, Mitchell Stankovic Communications Director Zach Christensen, Corelation Conversion Strategist Daniel Marquez, and Brandi Stankovic. Mitchell Stankovic’s Sue Mitchell will be advising the organization.
“CU Pride was designed with LGBTQ+ credit union professionals in mind. As a queer credit union professional, inclusion, representation, and advocacy for the LGBTQ community has become a hugely important mission,” said Marquez. “When we come together in cooperative spirit to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, we truly champion people helping people with CU Pride in the credit union movement."
How to Participate
Organizers said the Virtual Credit Union Pride event is open to anyone who wishes to learn, support and celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community. The agenda will include an introduction to CU Pride, LGBTQ+ credit union leadership speakers, a Q&A session and some entertainment from a unique credit union advocate. Click here to register.