Loudoun Proud: June Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS

June Membership Meeting June 7 - 7 pm EQLOCO.com/meet Loudoun United Pride Night June 30 - 7 pm EQLOCO.com/store FORTitude For Parents How to Be an Ally & Advocate for LGBTQ+ Teens June 10 - 7 pm Register Here!

Loudoun Pride Picnic June 13 - 12-4 pm EQLOCO.com/picnic July 4th Prade July 4- 10 am EQLOCO.com/events Reston Pride June 19 - 10 am https://www.restonpride.org/

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRIDE PICNIC IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT We were so overwhelmed by the response to our Loudoun Pride Festival that was announced last month! Unfortunately, the venue we had chosen could not accommodate as many people, groups, and activities as we were expecting, and so we have postponed the Festival for a later date. We expect to re-evaluate and begin planning later this summer for anyone who wants to be involved. But we would not be able to host the many businesses, vendors, community partners, advocacy groups, activities, and speakers who wanted to join us. The EQLOCO Board felt it would be better to do the event the right way at a later date. But we can't let Pride go un-celebrated, so we will be hosting EQLOCO's Loudoun Pride Picnic on June 13th, from 1-4 p.m. at Foxridge Park. However, RSVP's will be required and open only to certain groups (see below). It will be a smaller, more community-focused event with some fun kid's activities, an exciting game of kickball, and just a great afternoon of fun and laughs. We'll have a food truck where you can purchase food or you can pack your own picnic. We'll be providing delicious rainbow cupcakes to help celebrate 5 years of hard work to advancing LGBTQ+ equality in Loudoun County!! The event is open to anyone in Loudoun County who is: A former or current member of Equality Loudoun A member of a Loudoun PFLAG group A member or advisor for a Loudoun County GSA or similar group. Space is limited, so please RSVP today at eqloco.com/picnic!

Call to Action We need your help! This week Loudoun County public Schools is working on Policy 8040 governing protections for transgender students. We need public comment and a wave of in-person support. Find out how to help at eqloco.com/action

Submit Your Story Throughout June, we will be sharing the stories of the incredible LGBTQ+ community in Loudoun to help build community, provide role models to queer youth, and help change hearts and minds in the most effective way. Please consider submitting your story for Loudoun Proud!

Pride Gear Time to start planning! Not only does Loudoun and Northern Virginia offer some incredible events, but it's also time to get your Pride swag ready. Please consider purchasing directly from our new online store to help support the Pride in our Future Scholarship program but visiting us at EQLOCO.com/store!