First Entertainment Credit Union Inclusion & Diversity

What does Pride mean to you? How does Pride make you think of history, the current moment or the future?

Pride, for me, is rooted in deep solidarity, a feeling intensified by the current challenges faced by our trans siblings. Seeing harmful bills targeting them feels like an attack on their very being, making LGBTQ+ unity and allyship crucial. 

The “Free Mom Hugs” during Prop 8 in Los Angeles powerfully illustrates allyship. Amidst a divisive time questioning family, these simple acts of embrace conveyed profound unconditional love, reminding us of our shared humanity.

This spirit of allyship resonates with First Entertainment’s commitment beyond mere tolerance. Their inclusive benefits and open dialogues foster a space where every community member feels seen, respected and truly supported.

Pride is a powerful blend of celebration and resistance, echoing Stonewall’s joyful defiance against injustice. It connects us to our movement’s history and fuels our fight against current threats like Project 2025, which aims to undermine our rights. Ultimately, Pride envisions a future where every individual is valued and celebrated for who they are. First Entertainment’s active creation of a truly inclusive space gives me immense hope for this future where everyone belongs.

What does Pride look like at First Entertainment Credit Union? What is Pride Month typically like? Are there any specific ways Pride manifests year-round?

At First Entertainment, Pride isn’t just a splash of rainbows in June; it’s about being genuinely seen and truly supported — something our recent roundtable really highlighted. Last year’s Pride Month felt authentic, and we consciously steered clear of any surface-level “rainbow-washing.” What’s cool is that this commitment extends throughout the year. One tangible way we see this is the inclusion of preferred pronouns in signatures and titles — a small but meaningful step towards everyday visibility. Looking ahead, I’m really excited about the potential to weave even more diverse representation into our marketing and internal chats year-round. It’s definitely on my mind for our next roundtable!

Why is it important for your team to include LGBTQIA+ inclusivity as part of its cultural makeup? What does First Entertainment Credit Union get right?

Honestly, baking LGBTQIA inclusivity right into our teams’ DNA isn’t just the nice thing to do — though it totally is! It actually makes us better at everything. Think of it like adding all the best ingredients to a recipe; suddenly, there’s so much more flavor, and everything becomes way more interesting! When diverse perspectives, especially from our LGBTQIA colleagues, are genuinely valued, it’s like a creativity sprinkler goes off leading to real innovation. Plus, when everyone feels seen and respected, collaboration flows effortlessly, and that sense of belonging? It’s the bedrock of a thriving team.

One thing First Entertainment genuinely excels at is fostering open communication. Our roundtables, for example, are fantastic because they give everyone a real chance to share their stories and viewpoints — the authentic unvarnished truth. This commitment to truly hearing each other is super important for building bridges of understanding, sparking empathy and creating a workplace where everyone feels genuinely valued. Looking ahead, we can keep leveling up by making sure our communications truly reflect the beautiful mosaic of our coworkers and members.