ONE Community – June 2024
As we come into the final days of Pride month, I wanted to highlight our new and exciting partnership at The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation with ONE Community. ONE Community is an Arizona-based non-profit committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity for all by empowering, connecting and educating local LGBTQ+ allied businesses, faith leaders and individuals on the benefits of respecting, protecting and celebrating all who live in our great state. Now that is a mission we can get behind!
Did you know that only 11 municipalities across Arizona have protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in housing, employment, and public accommodations? If this is news to you, you’re not alone. Many don’t know that our LGBTQ+ friends, family members, and neighbors can be discriminated against across our state for simply being themselves and loving who they love. According to Funders for LGBTQ Issues, only 25 cents of every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations specifically goes to LGBTQ+ causes. Yet, as just described, this community faces significant challenges in obtaining basic human rights that others take for granted. ONE Community exists so that one day, this is no longer the case.
Our partnership with ONE Community will support training businesses and organizations on the benefits of inclusion, expanding the UNITY pledge (the largest equality pledge in the nation), launching the Better Together podcast series aimed at teaching us how to seek unity over division, developing future leaders committed to this great work and beyond.
As proud Arizonans and local business owners ourselves, Bob and I believe that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity – are of equal value and deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. This is the value on which we started our foundation 12 years ago and is still our guiding light today. This is why we are so proud to partner with ONE Community and support their efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable Arizona and nation.
Happy Pride, friends!
Your ally,
Renee Parsons