I was raised in a very conservative evangelical household. This led to beliefs that were often harmful to those who were wanting to live in peace, love who they love and simply have the same rights as everyone else.

I am not proud of that. I often feel shame and guilt over it. But, it started with a conversation. When I got outside of my sheltered upbringing and started to have conversations with people I cared about, my own cognitive dissonance started to sound. Everything I thought was flipped on its head. Because what I realized is my friends, my family were just who they were. Authentically.

The challenges my friends and family experienced in regards to mental health were because they were constantly being told there was something wrong. Clobbered with verses and not accepted by those they should be able to trust most in this world for safety and community.

I learned a great deal about lived experience. I learned about the peace people felt when they embraced who they were. And I will be damned if I contribute to someone not feeling the peace they deserve.

When our brains align with our values, that is where we find peace. And that is where I have grown to embrace the LGBTQ+ community. I call out to those who have the most privilege to stand with me in celebrating the genuine humanity of those who are often under attack. We should instill Pride in the humanity of those who are just who they were meant to be.

I have learned there are 3 ways to stand up for others in allyship. Stand in front when under attack to shield and provide rest, Stand behind in empowerment to lift up and support the voices of those who are ready to stand in courage and speak out about their lived experience, and to embrace and walk alongside, arm in arm, so there is safety, comfort and love embracing each person.

It is not always easy to understand when and where to show up but I call out that the time is now to try. The time is now, for people to feel safety from those of us who have not always embraced or understood the damage we have caused. The time is now for us to embrace our shared humanity, embrace all the love we can muster and shield those who are most under attack.
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We must reject the inhumanity shown by so many and embrace the humanity of everyone. We must fight for equality, for all we may claim to love. The time is now….

By Brenda DiMuro

Today, we take a moment to celebrate the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard, a young man whose tragic death became a catalyst for change and inspired a global movement toward tolerance, acceptance, and equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Matthew, born on December 1, 1976, would have celebrated another year of life today. While his time on Earth was tragically cut short, the impact of his life endures as a reminder of the power of love and resilience in the face of hate. 
 
 A Life Full of Promise 
 
Matthew Shepard was born in Casper, Wyoming, to Judy and Dennis Shepard. He was known by friends and family as a kind-hearted, compassionate young man with a big smile and an open mind. A lover of theater, travel, and human connection, Matthew had dreams of making a difference in the world. His interests led him to the University of Wyoming, where he majored in political science with the hope of working in human rights. 
Matthew had a unique ability to empathize with others, understanding the struggles of those around him and offering support when he could. Many who knew him recall his gentle spirit, a light that seemed to shine through despite the challenges he faced as a young gay man living in a time and place where acceptance was not always forthcoming. 
 
 A Tragic Loss and a Powerful Legacy 
 
On the night of October 6, 1998, Matthew’s life took a devastating turn when he was brutally attacked in Laramie, Wyoming, in an act of anti-gay violence. He was left tied to a fence, beaten, and abandoned in freezing temperatures, and succumbed to his injuries on October 12, 1998. Matthew’s death shocked the world, exposing the harsh realities of hate and discrimination that members of the LGBTQ+ community faced every day. 
Though his death was an unspeakable tragedy, it became a rallying cry for a movement that refused to allow his life to be defined by hate. Matthew’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, transformed their grief into action, founding the Matthew Shepard Foundation to promote tolerance, empathy, and equal rights. They became tireless advocates for change, speaking out against hate crimes and pushing for legislative action. 
 
 The Matthew Shepard Act: Progress Through Advocacy 
 
A pivotal moment in Matthew’s legacy came in 2009 with the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This law expanded federal hate crime legislation to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity. Matthew’s story helped to humanize the need for these protections, moving countless people, organizations, and legislators to work toward a more inclusive society. 
 
 Honoring Matthew’s Spirit Today 
 
On what would have been his 48th birthday, we reflect not only on the heartbreaking loss of a life filled with potential but also on the progress inspired by Matthew's memory. His story reminds us of the importance of standing up against hate, fostering empathy, and working toward a world where everyone, regardless of who they are or whom they love, can live free from fear and discrimination. 
 
Today, the Matthew Shepard Foundation continues to advocate for "Replacing Hate with Understanding, Compassion, and Acceptance." Through educational programs, outreach, and policy work, the foundation embodies the values that Matthew cherished—kindness, inclusion, and human dignity. 
 
 A Call to Action 
 
On this special day, let us honor Matthew’s life by reflecting on how we can make the world a better place in his memory. We can educate ourselves and others, challenge intolerance when we see it, and support policies that promote equality. We can also celebrate the beauty of diversity and the strength that comes from standing together in solidarity. 
 
As we remember Matthew Shepard on his birthday, we are reminded that his legacy lives on in every act of kindness, every step toward justice, and every heart that chooses love over hate. While his life was tragically brief, the movement he inspired continues to shape a world where no one has to live in fear because of who they are. 
 
Happy Birthday, Matthew. Your light still shines, and we continue to carry it forward.

By Brenda DiMuro

Having grown up in the South, Texas in particular, I had never heard of this celebration until late 2019. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is observed on June 19th, marking the day in 1865 when Union soldiers, led by General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved individuals were now free.

Despite President Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free, the news did not reach many enslaved individuals until years later. Texas, in particular, was one of the last Confederate states where the proclamation was enforced due to a lack of Union presence.

Upon hearing the news of their freedom, formerly enslaved people in Texas celebrated with jubilation, marking the first Juneteenth celebrations. These festivities often included prayers, songs, dances, and communal gatherings. Over time, Juneteenth celebrations spread across the United States as African American communities commemorated their ancestors' resilience and perseverance in the face of slavery and oppression.

Juneteenth holds significant cultural and historical importance as a day to reflect on the struggles and achievements of African Americans throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the long and arduous journey toward freedom and equality and the ongoing fight against systemic racism and injustice.

President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021 and was observed immediately the same year. Despite the federal holiday designation, many states such as South Carolina, and businesses, still do not recognize this holiday. Recognizing Juneteenth not only honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans but also provides an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the country's history and work toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
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As Juneteenth continues to gain widespread recognition and significance, it serves as a reminder that the struggle for freedom and equality is ongoing. By commemorating Juneteenth, we honor the past and reaffirm our commitment to building a more just and equitable society for future generations.

By Caroline Skaret, Alliant Credit Union

Today, a friend and colleague shared their favorite Harvey Milk quotes and their remembrances of this pivotal icon and his continued importance to today’s political climate. That spurred me to post.

How do I remember Harvey Milk? I remember how the first openly gay man to run for office was portrayed in the 2008 movie, Milk, by Sean Penn. The scenes portraying his life and the lives of other gay men in his lifetime (1930 to 1979) have stuck with me since then. As someone who came of age during the height of the AIDS crisis, this story made it, and the people who suffered most, very real.  

According to the Harvey Milk Foundation’s official biography, he ran for local office because he “believed that government should represent individuals… and should ensure equality for all citizens while providing needed services.” That resonates today as the community and other marginalized groups are being pushed out of their cities and states as legislation is passed that makes them and their needs illegal.

It’s not only important to recognize Harvey Milk’s achievements in the past but to recognize the throughline as LGBTQIA+ community continues to face today’s challenges and remain politically active as a protest. Two community members, and CU PRIDE supporters, are carrying on this important work, Linda Bodie in West Virginia and Ashley Brundage in Florida.

Today is a great day to remember Harvey Milk and others who paved the way for LGBTQIA+ rights. But I ask you to remember the work isn’t finished and to support those who are continuing to lead the way forward so government represents and ensures equity for all individuals.

By Andy Manthei, GreenPath

In June 2023, GreenPath secured a booth at one of the largest LGBTQ+ gatherings in Southeast Michigan, Ferndale Pride. The goals were as follows:

1. Show up authentically in support for the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Gather precise feedback from real people for innovation designs on serving the financial needs of the LGBTQ+ community, having authentic conversations with the community. What was the community seeing as specific barriers and struggles, or what goals were people working on?
3. Celebrate wins and/or acknowledge what the individuals were working towards!

When it comes to human centered design, post it notes and artifacts are the name of the game, and our innovation team created a unique rainbow board to gather feedback from those who were willing to share. It was a powerful moment to have genuine conversations, show support, let people know they are not alone, and tap into needs in a less structured setting as it was a fun day to celebrate with the community and their families and friends.

By no means is this intended to be the end all be all, but provide us key data at this point in time with so much uncertainty around state and federal legislations cutting at the financial lives of those in the community, and economic hurdles such as student loan repayment restarting.
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Drum roll please…….
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Top 3 Barriers

• Student Loans and Cost of College
• Affordable Housing
• Health Care

Top 3 Goals

• Successful/Dream Job
• Financial Stability
• Financial Literacy

​On the surface, someone may look at and say but aren’t these for anyone? The LGBTQ+ community has layers and nuance to consider impacting their financial health. 

​For example, in consideration of health care and health care costs, for a transgender person, the costs of doctors, medication and mental health costs all come into play. Additionally, some states do not offer equal protections for same sex couples when it comes to health care. There is continued discrimination that prohibits equal access for health services and restricting access for those services. There can also be significant costs and barriers for LGBTQ+ couples who decide to have a family, whether that be through adoption or other means. The point is we have to find ways to support and normalize the community needs for their financial journeys.
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By DaVante Montgomery, MSU FCU

On October 29,2023, I was watching the news, as I usually do, and there was a piece on CBS Sunday Morning called “Bayard Rustin: The Man Who Transformed the Civil Rights Movement”. You can see the video here.

As I became fully focused on the piece, it was shared that Bayard Rustin was gay. As a proud Black, gay man, I was shocked I had never heard of him. It was as if his history had been hidden. This stoked my curiosity. I shortly after watched the movie Rustin and began to take in everything I could to learn more about him.

This changed my life.

You see growing up in the church I had a love/hate relationship with myself. I was constantly hearing gay people were going to hell, and gay people were an abomination. So, it took time for me, at 19 to come out to my mother. This was only after going to college and finding people that I could live my truth with. I learned about our similarities as Rustin’s grandmother was a Quaker who taught him nonviolence and my grandma was similar in her messaging. She taught me how to go to people peacefully, how to speak with people in love so they can FEEL my authenticity.

And I started to think about what a different time Bayard lived in. Not only was homophobia even more rampant, but it was also against the law. Yet, Rustin never lost his way. He was jailed 20 times and never let that distract him from his purpose. Rustin was fired, because in those times they didn’t want aspects of his personal life to derail the message of civil rights. And yet he kept on.

There were four themes that I think of with Bayard Rustin:

1. Strategist
2. Visionary
3. Organizer
4. Charismatic

In only two months, he organized the March on Washington. It was hoped to bring 100,000 marchers to the Capital. Thanks to Rustin, 250,000 people from across the country attended and inspired words that inspire dreams today. This March was a key catalyst to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voters Rights Act of 1965, both of which increased the opportunities for voices to be heard. All the while because of his sexual orientation, Bayard Rustin was on the outside looking in, but he believed in lifting up ALL in the community.

He truly was an American unsung hero. He was someone who believed in pacifism and peaceful marching. For me it feels like when we look at the building, what we see is the company on the front, but the person behind it was the architect and the designer. This is Rustin to me.

He was a multifaceted person; he released an album and loved art. It wasn’t just about organizing marches, he was a true renaissance man, tapping into the beauty of life. It all rounded up, art is abstract, and music is the universal language of people. He sought the unity of people by using power and privilege to ensure all are treated equally.

So why did this change my life? His story makes me want to say, what can I do? How can I be more unafraid?

As an introvert, the idea that I don’t have to be the center of attention to get the results is a big piece to me. We don’t often think about someone in the background who was the driving force behind it. The manager often gets accolades, but the team really pushed forward for the results. Bayard fought so hard for his people, to lift up ALL of the community, all the while with homophobia was such a huge issue.

It is hard to put into words what watching the movie on Rustin meant to me. It gave me a feeling that I can do everything, despite my upbringing or what I look like, I can still affect change!

As I take the lessons learned while reflecting on what Bayard Rustin accomplished and what his legacy was, I now describe myself as someone who is on a quest to lift people up. Bayard helped me be more unapologetic about who I am and what I stand for.
I always want to propel people to the next level, to ask how can I be of service? How can I help? Pouring into people with love, and in the credit union way of people helping people. Serving members genuinely creates loyalty and provides them the opportunity to show up as their authentic selves.

This approach takes a certain amount of fearlessness, but with the legacy of Bayard Rustin in mind, it is a purpose-filled work I embark on every day. From being a leader for our The Culture of Finances program, to spending time in conversation with those whose voices deserve to be heard, every day I wake up energized to impact others. May we find those that inspire us, that get us to think inward on who we are, what is our truth, and how can we show up in a space of love.