Jul 13, 2026
How POWER Celebrated Pride Month
All of our territories celebrated Pride Month in their own special way: from open-mic comedy to private dance lessons, Queer Power members and allies learned about, recognized, and celebrated LGBTQ+ history and progress.
We learned about some of the Belonging Events from those who were there. Keep on reading to hear from several Queer Power peeps about the event and its impact.
BOS: Pride Social at Dani’s Queer Bar
Megan Venuto, People Support Specialist:
“Our Queer Power belonging event took place at Dani’s Queer Bar. It’s one of the very few lesbian/queer bars left in the United States and one of two in Massachusetts. Being part of the queer community, I’ve looked at Dani’s as an amazing place since they opened. They host drag shows, highlight queer artists in the community, and constantly host events that give back. Dani’s Queer Bar is a great place for anyone to go, especially for lesbians like me, to not feel alone in a crowded room.
We rented out the back room of Dani’s after one of their drag performances, so we got to mingle with the performers a little bit and had a bunch of food.
As POWER people filled in, it was great to see them love and respect a place I have held close to my chest for years. People were curious about the community, and all our Human Rights Campaign ally pins were taken almost immediately!
We had a great time, and some of us even found our way to a local tea dance (a very important tradition for queer people) 💃. I would say it was a 10/10 day all around!”
CHI: Gathering at Hollywood Beach
Jessica Chassee, Remodeling Consultant:
“This past month, we celebrated Pride Month with a Belonging Event at Chicago’s queer beach, Hollywood Beach.
We came together to celebrate our unique identities, visibility, and the power of community. Along the way, we also supported local queer-owned businesses with catered food and desserts. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with one another, strengthen our work family, and celebrate the many things that make each of us who we are.
For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Local Leader for multiple Affinity Groups. Last year, I stepped into the role of Local Leader for Queer Power, a position that has been especially meaningful to me. Through our Affinity Groups, I’ve found my voice at Power. These Belonging Events have created a space where so many people—including me—feel seen, supported, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
I’m excited to continue growing these communities and helping create the same sense of belonging for others that the Affinity Groups have given me throughout my career.
Even the rain couldn’t hold us back.
After every rain, there’s a rainbow—and this event was a beautiful reminder that when we come together in support of one another, we shine even brighter.”
FLL: Sip, Screen, and Celebrate with Drag Show
Debby Saenz, Project Production Manager:
“Our local leader Mia Smith planned the event, and she did an amazing job. The event was held at Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale and kicked off with a documentary that highlighted how allyship, or the lack of it, impacts the Queer community. Afterward, we had an open discussion about what allyship looks like in our everyday lives and how we can continue showing up for those in the community. About half of the attendees were allies, so it was great to shine a light on the topic and have those open, vulnerable conversations together.
We then had an amazing brunch followed by a stellar drag show performance! It was my first time at one, and the vibes were immaculate. The performances were incredible, and it was such a fun way to celebrate the community!
For me, this really hit home. Being treated differently because of who you love is such a wild concept to some, but it’s a reality for so many people. Growing up, I saw a lot of microaggressions toward the Queer community, and even the hint that someone might be queer was enough to make them an outcast.
For the longest time, I thought I was an ally, too. But after coming to POWER, I realized there was so much more to learn about the community and how I could better support it. My biggest takeaway has been that allyship doesn’t stop when someone is in the room. It’s about being an advocate even when they aren’t. That’s what I’ve continued to take with me long after the event ended— and to lead with empathy.”
JAX: Brunch at local Queer-owned Bistro
Ben Wagnon, Project Production Manager:
“Queer Power holds a special place in my heart because I know how meaningful it is to feel like you belong. We all want to be seen, accepted, and valued for who we are, and I believe creating spaces where everyone can show up authentically is incredibly important.
This year, we came together for brunch and bingo at Tulua Bistro, a place that has become a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s LGBTQ+ community and a proud partner of Jax River City Pride. We chose this venue intentionally because it represents community, connection, and the spirit of inclusion that Queer Power stands for.
For me, this event was never just about brunch or bingo. It was about creating a moment where everyone could laugh together, share stories, and simply feel like they belonged. If even one person walked away feeling more connected, supported, or comfortable being themselves, then I consider the event a success.
I’m incredibly grateful to be part of something that celebrates our LGBTQ+ community and our allies, and I’m proud to help create opportunities that remind everyone they are seen, valued, and have a place here.”
LI: The Adventure Park
Courtney Trott, Remodeling Consultant:
“In planning our Queer Power Belonging Event, I knew I wanted to plan an event that people could really bond over. Overcoming self-limiting beliefs and life’s obstacles. These skills are the embodiment of coming out and living out loud in a majority straight culture.
At POWER, having a place to be truly authentic and bond is one of the reasons why I love being a Local Leader. Our Belonging event was at The Adventure Park at Long Island, a zip lining and ropes course. I knew the impact was made when several of my coworkers told me they ‘never have done anything like this!’
And for sober me, it was amazing to hear, ‘I think this is one of the only events I’ve been to without drinking,’ yet we all still got a good rush in and through our fire quarter zips, swag, and being high up in the trees, pushing through our limits. When we all sat down to enjoy tacos and burritos, it was evident that true lifetime connections had been formed through all walks of life!”
TPA: Kickball Game
Cristian Mancilla, Remodeling Consultant:
“I would love to start off by saying thank you to POWER. I started in January of this year, and it’s crazy how quickly life can change for the better when you’re with such a great company.
I’ve known I was gay since I was young; I came out at the age of 16, and that obviously came with hardships. To this day, I don’t speak to my parents. Way too many of us know that terrible feeling all too well, unfortunately. You trudge through it and keep hope alive by surrounding yourself with good people and hoping for better days ahead.
As life moved on and I became an adult, I quickly realized that being yourself in the workforce of any industry doesn’t always work out. I sort of went back into the closet in my twenties. I’ve kept my boyfriend a secret from coworkers, which ultimately meant keeping my life a secret. People would ask, “Do you have a girlfriend? A wife?” And I always said, “No. It’s just me, my dog, and my roommate.”
Then came POWER. One day, I realized I was telling my teammates about my REAL life. I started talking about my boyfriend more and how long we had been together, and the things we do. It came more and more naturally as the days went on, and that’s because POWER hires great people who really set the tone for inclusivity for marginalized groups.
This was my first Queer Power event I got to be part of, and for me, it was the culmination of everything POWER had to offer people like me. This world can be scary for everyone, but ESPECIALLY for minority groups. Coming together with people from the Tampa office who all have different sexual identities and just having a grand, old gay time playing games and being ourselves was wonderful to experience. D-Lo, our local leader, worked hand in hand with Leslie Pacheco to deliver such a great experience for us, so they deserve their flowers! I can’t wait for next year’s event!
With all that being said, this is the first job I’ve ever had where I actually feel comfortable being myself. Not keeping my boyfriend a secret. Not keeping my life a secret. It’s HUGE. I can only hope that everyone else feels the same working with such an amazing company. Glad to be a part of it every single day.”
SAO: 3-Part Show: (HER/THEIR/HIStory, Art of Drag, Future of Drag)
Gee Bellamour, Facilities Territory Coordinator:
“When I joined Queer Power, I was looking for not just friends, but family — like a lot of us do — and all it took was joining the Connect conversation to start finding my people.
Since then, I have made valuable friendships, attended the 2024 Queer Power Expedition where I started to find the family I had been looking for, and became a local leader.
Along the way, I am finding myself, learning to love myself more fully and authentically, and being a Queer Power local leader has meant building community rooted in love, respect, and allyship, giving back to our local community — and being an open resource for anyone who needs it.
The Belonging Event was about Drag HER/THEIR/HIStory, the art of drag, and the future of drag — honoring the roots of drag and LGBTQIA+ cultural history, celebrating different styles and identities of performance, and reflecting on visibility, resilience, and the realities our community continues to face today.
My Queer Power family may not all be physically close, but they’ve shown me what support can feel like, and this event reminded me that family and support can show up right here in San Antonio, too. There may only be a few of us in this office, but in that moment, we were surrounded by love and support. To me, belonging is about creating a workplace where people feel safe enough to be themselves, where allies know their presence makes a difference, and where no one has to wonder if they are accepted, supported, or alone.”
Queer Power x The Trevor Project @ NYC Pride
Jeffrey Hope (Hines), People Resources Administrator – Special Projects:
“When I was asked if I wanted to join The Trevor Project in the NYC Pride Parade, my first reaction was simple: I felt incredibly lucky. Lucky to be able to be myself. Lucky to know such incredible people. Lucky to even be considered.
My journey with the Affinity Groups began on my very first day, when Chelsea Isaac introduced me to them. A few months later, I attended a Queer Power event in Denver, and looking back, that experience changed everything. It introduced me to colleagues from across POWER who shared a genuine commitment to supporting the queer community as members and allies. Not long after, I joined the Queer Power subcommittee, which eventually evolved into today’s Local Lead and Committee network. Then, I was able to go on another Queer Power trip to Detroit and the Summit in Nashville. Queer Power has become one of the most meaningful parts of my experience here.
Leading up to NYC Pride, our group chat was full of excitement, especially after many of us had just been together at the HQ Belonging event. Spending the train ride surrounded by Pride-goers and talking with coworkers I don’t often get to spend long amounts of time with reminded me of how quickly “coworkers” have become some of my most genuine and close friends.
The best word I can find to describe it is joy. Everywhere there were cheers, music, laughter, and celebration. Every time someone shouted, “Happy Pride!” the crowd answered back even louder. It felt like the entire city was celebrating together.
What stayed with me most was the incredible diversity of the queer community. Every age, race, background, faith, and story was represented. Pride isn’t just a celebration; it’s a reminder that there is no single way to be queer and no single way to belong. However, it is all of our jobs collectively to care for those around us as we move through the world.
I left feeling deeply grateful for the people I shared the day with, for a company that creates opportunities like this, and for a community that has welcomed me since my very first day. It was a day filled with joy, connection, and belonging, and one I’ll carry with me for a very long time.”
Kylah Farley, Quality Assurance Coordinator:
“When I was offered the chance to march with the Trevor Project at NYC Pride, I was over the moon. I had never been before, and I knew it was going to be an incredible event.
For a little bit of background, when I started in 2023, HQ had hosted a Pride celebration on the waterfront. That was my first-ever Pride event. The following year, I went to my very first Pride parade in Philly with the friends I had made at POWER. I had also been a local lead for Queer Power prior to accepting a seat on the InspirASIAN national committee this year. Stepping away from that position in QP back in December came with a lot of emotions, and one of them was a fear of being less engaged and a part of my QP community.
Jumping back to the present day, my worries were proven wrong. Because of POWER, I was able to celebrate Pride in NYC for the first time. I was with my Queer Power people, not only attending the parade but being a part of it and representing an organization that is such an integral part of the community. The feeling was surreal.
As we started marching and handing out the free swag, you could hear the growing cheers of the crowds along the streets, music amplifying the energy, an ocean of colors along the sidewalks, and an infectious joy. The more we marched, the more my timidness was replaced with feelings of excitement and love, and the biggest exclamation point of happy Pride there could be.
It was wonderful to see people express themselves so freely. It was a breath of fresh air to see so much support, support from parents, from all different minority communities, and from different organizations.
I personally made a point to seek out my people in the crowd any chance I got. I saw the queer black girl; I saw the person letting their natural curls out; I saw the bold makeup and glitter; I saw the groups of friends full of excitement and love. With every person I saw, I felt that much more tied to my community.
Other people who stood out were a couple that held a sign saying, “43 years in love, still marching for justice,” and a mom holding a sign saying, “If your parents aren’t accepting of your identity, I’m your mom now. Drink some water, get some rest. I love you”. Very real reminders that Pride isn’t just one big fun party with nothing but love and support. There are people for whom each day is a choice; it’s battling to belong; it’s fighting just to be here.
We celebrate Pride because we have fought to achieve so much. We deserve this celebration, and we deserve this love, but that doesn’t mean the work is done. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity and for knowing that I got to have this experience because the place I work is something special.”
Thank you to all of our Queer Power Leaders for putting on these amazing events. At POWER, we prioritize a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all employees part of the LGBTQ+ community. To learn more about Queer Power and our other Affinity Groups, click here.
