By Emily Blanchard
As a new member of the board of directors, my first event with Germantown Community Coalition was the third annual Washington County Pride Celebration on August 17, 2024. The event is organized by the Youth and Family Project, a non-profit agency in Washington and Waukesha Counties that provides supportive services to—you guessed it—youth and families. This family-friendly Pride event featured live music, activities and games, food, vendors, and information tables.
GCC was proud to be a sponsor of this event, as it aligns with our mission of building a
safe, welcoming community based on principles of kindness, inclusion, equity, and
respect. We had an information table at the event, where we distributed flyers, talked
about our mission, promoted upcoming events, and listened to attendees’ stories.
Participating in the event allowed us to engage directly with community members. We
had the opportunity to speak with several people who grew up in Germantown or
previously lived here, and they all expressed gratitude for the work GCC does. It was
uplifting to hear their stories.
It's essential that organizations like GCC take an active role in promoting acceptance
and understanding. By attending the Pride Celebration, we were not only standing in
solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community but also demonstrating that every person,
regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is valued and respected.
The celebration was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at GCC—to foster a
community that is inclusive, accepting, and celebrates diversity.
