Our Values

Rochester Pride is committed to creating safer spaces for the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, which have historically been affected by police brutality and harassment, escalations in violence and hate crimes, and laws that criminalize people from living their truth.

This commitment is rooted in our mission statement to provide Pride events for the gender-identity and sexual-orientation minority communities and their allies; that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community; in order to promote an environment for advocacy, outreach, inclusion, and equity for gender-identity and sexual-orientation minorities.

Rochester Pride believes in equity and parity in regards to healthcare access. This includes reproductive freedom, gender-affirming healthcare, and ending stigma surrounding HIV.

Additionally we are committed to acknowledging and helping to end the systemic discrimination that has prevented full participation in all aspects of society for marginalized communities. This includes but is not limited to equality in: employment, healthcare, housing, food security, athletic participation, civic participation, access to public facilities, educational access, public safety, judicial due process, inclusion in faith communities, physical abilities, and marriage equality.

In order to advance these goals, Rochester Pride practices action based advocacy, when appropriate, and expects our community partners to also engage in action based advocacy for marginalized communities.

Action based advocacy includes but is not limited to:
● Working towards ending institutional oppression within your organization.
● Understanding and educating the public in regards to current and historical inequities.
● Conducting ongoing research, education, and outreach to support marginalized communities and fight misinformation.
● Having enforceable policies in place within your organization to fight discrimination.
● Advocating against legislation and policies that are harmful to marginalized communities, especially when policies directly affect the operation of your organization or impact your employees.

We acknowledge that action based advocacy may look different for individual organizations depending on the size and capacity of the organization.

Rochester Pride believes in holding discriminatory institutions accountable in our words and actions. Rochester Pride does not partner with institutions and organizations that support or further systemic racism, police brutality, or oppression against minority communities. We also do not partner with institutions and organizations whose actions or inactions run contrary to this values statement.

Adopted 2/16/2023