BELONGING - COMMUNITY OF BELONGING PROGRAM (COBP)

Our team is hard at work preparing events and partnerships that reach beyond just creating spaces for the queer community- we want to bring the queer community into the larger Loudoun community as equals in visibility and protection. Already, we are partnering at a number of events to bring an LGBTQIA+ presence and perspective. The end goal is to create a variety of spaces that celebrate unique identities and intersectional interest. Our Community of Belonging Program is already underway!

• January 17th - Wine and Wags at 8 Chains Winery to benefit rescue animals

• January 19th - Attending the Virginia LGBTQ+ Leadership Summit in Richmond, VA.

• February 21st - Presenting on Inclusion, Prevention, and Wellness Strategies for LGBTQ+ Youth & Families at the LCPS Mental Health and Wellness Conference.

• March 14th - Attending and speaking at the Rise To Summit at Rock Ridge High School

• May 2 - Attending the Spring Fest to spread joy, belonging, and representation

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INTENTIONALITY - INNOVATIVE ACTION CENTER PROGRAM (IACP)

Raising the profile and public need of intentionality. Creating space is only the beginning. Mixed spaces are fantastic but must include carveouts that highlight and celebrate the parts of you that are unique and beautiful. To that end, we're developing plans for Pride that create more intentional spaces for connection by focused on various passions within the community. We also want to ensure that when calls for community advocacy come, we are contextualizing to ensure your time is well spent and your mental health is well protected. We plan to launch our Innovative Action Center Program in the next few weeks.

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ADVOCACY  - LEGISLATIVE ADVANCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (LAIP)

Advocacy with an end goal. We've learned from our work in the community that no one wants to be an advocate forever. Each step of the advocacy process has to be intentional about the results it achieves. We are starting by working on the research arm to find out what laws are in place that affect various LGBTQ+ identities and developing policy proposals that we plan to submit to delegates with the goal of generating lasting legal changes to improve your life. We're already communicating with local police, lawmakers, community stakeholders and leaders, and even the incoming Governor to communicate the community's needs. We're launching our Legislative Policy Program in April.

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VISIBILITY - THE PRIDE VISIBILITY FUND (PVF)

It started with a dream, some rainbow paint, and a patch of asphalt. The Leesburg Rainbow Crosswalk was just another first step. As many know, the Loudoun Pride Festival has worked to highlight local community artists from our work to put together the One Loudoun Pride Gallery in 2022 and 2023, the artwork featured in numerous Leesburg Parades, and the handcrafted LOVE sign for Loudoun that was on display at June's Frist Friday and Pride Festival in 2025. Now, we are working with local planners, property owners, and artists to develop new ways to bring to light the beauty and celebration that is our queer community. More coming soon!

• Check out some of the press from the Leesburg Rainbow Crosswalk

• Check out our Pride Visibility Photo Gallery (coming soon)

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INTERSECTIONALITY - HARM AWARENESS, RESPONSE, AND PREVENTION PROGRAM (HARPP)

The LGBTQIA+ community is the most diverse group in the world. The fact is, queer people exist in every race, religion, age group, gender, ethnicity, ability, and group of humans in existence. Along with that, we must recognize that the harm done to our community through discrimination, violence, and harassment have lasting impacts that affect food insecurity, mental health, homelessness, educational achievement, socioeconomic status, and suicidal ideation. These things are not borne out of being queer- they are created by hatred, bigotry, and bias towards queer people. In January 2024, we launched the Virginia Queer Coalition in coordination with the Transgender Education Association and Casa Brumar to bring together Virginia's queer-serving organizations for resource sharing, planning, and networking. In January 2025, we selected our first HARPP program that will work with youth in the community to raise awareness of those in need and generate collection drives in local neighborhoods. 

• Check out the Virginia Queer Coalition

• Check out Kids for Kindness (coming soon)