In Minneapolis, the month of June wrapped up with thousands of people gathering in Loring Park in for the 52nd annual Twin Cities Pride Festival.

The event is an opportunity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) individuals to celebrate living as their truest selves and for allies to show support.

The Blue Pride associate resource group (ARG) has been participating in Twin Cities Pride since 1999. This year, more than 20 Blue Pride members volunteered to staff the Blue Cross table.

“It was high energy and such a positive vibe,” Dana Sanders, Blue Pride co-chair says. “It was a weekend full of love, laughter and so many hugs. I am so grateful for all Blue Pride ARG volunteers. We were all proud to represent Blue Cross at such an amazing event celebrating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).”

Volunteers handed out pride pins, bracelets and stickers and shared information about the LGBTQIA+ support provided by Blue Cross, including the work of our Gender Services Team.

“Being a part of the Gender Services Team has given me the opportunity to do what I love with some of the most incredible people,” says Skylar Rezendes, a gender services navigator. “I have the unique opportunity to work with my community. That is so deeply personal to me.”

While Blue Pride focuses many of its efforts around Pride Month, the ARG works year-round to emphasize the importance of DEIB across the mission, vision and culture of Blue Cross.

“As a transmasculine person, Pride Month means a lot to me. This month means visibility, advocacy, and community,” says Parker Kuczaboski, member experience advocate “Pride Month showcases our history and how we can heal and learn from the past and present. It allows us to have conversations in a larger group and stay connected with current events and resources. There are still so many individuals that are isolated and feel alone in our community, Pride Month gives those people more opportunity to connect.”

Blue Pride members encourage others to get involved with related causes and activities.

“Lean in, reach out, show up,” Rezendes says. “Lean into learning and the long game of systemic change. Reach out to community members and mentors to continue doing both internal and external work. Showing up has everything to do with intention. Make it personal and be willing to play an active role.”

While many strides have been made in recent years to advance LGBTQIA+ health, the event also serves as a reminder there is still more work to be done. Blue Cross and Blue Pride are proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community and look forward to being part of the Twin Cities Pride Festival for many years to come.