FRANKLIN COUNTY WELCOMING PROJECT
WELCOMING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, PA
The Franklin County Welcoming Project is an initiative to encourage businesses, health care/service providers, organizations, and congregations to display welcoming signs for the purpose of making LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) individuals and allies feel welcomed as patrons. By signing the pledge below you demonstrate that your establishment or organization supports a diverse, inclusive, accepting, welcoming and safe space for all.
WHY PLEDGE?
When you embrace and celebrate diversity, you help our community. Not only do you affirm the lives of our broad, diverse marginalied populations (which helps improve their mental health), but you also help grow and enrich our local economy. >> LEARN MORE
YOUR PLEDGE
As an LGBTQ+ friendly business, health care provider, faith community, or organization, we celebrate the diversity and inclusivity in our community. We are committed to having a workplace and community that is diverse and welcoming for all, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
We believe that our community is enriched by the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, and by placing the Franklin County Welcoming Project decal in our window or website, we will strive to create a “safe space” for our LGBTQ+ employees, customers, clients, and friends.
By submitting the pledge form, I agree to the above statements and to display the (free) Franklin County Welcoming Project decal on my window and/or website and to have my business or organization included in an online listing of LGBTQ+ supportive entities on this website.
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY
Ally: An individual or group that is supportive of the LGBTQ community.
Gender: A person’s self-identity as man, woman, or other designation along the gender, non-binary spectrum.
LGBTQ: An abbreviation that has replaced what was formally known as “the gay community”. LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or questioning). Its use recognizes a more diverse and inclusive community.
Lesbian: An individual who identifies as a woman who is emotionally, physically, or sexually attracted to other women.
Gay: An individual who identifies as a man who is emotionally, physically, or sexually attracted to other men. (The term gay has also been used to describe any same-gender physical relationship.)
Bisexual: An individual who is sexually and romantically attracted to men and women or others.
Transgender: An individual who identifies as a sex other than that assigned at birth.
Queer: An individual whose identity is more fluid and inclusive of diverse sexual orientations and/or gender identities. Once considered an offensive term, it has been reclaimed by individuals as a description of self-empowerment.
Questioning: An individual who is unsure about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and prefers to identify as “questioning” rather than adhering to an inappropriate label.
Sex: Designation of male/female usually assigned at birth based on biological characteristics.
Sexual Orientation: An individual’s desire for intimate, emotional and/or sexual relationships with others.
Gender Identity: How one self-identifies based upon an innate feeling of masculinity, femininity, or combination (or lack) of either.
Gender Expression: The way an individual presents to others through appearance, mannerisms, behaviors, and speech which is indicative of sex or gender. The way a person expresses their gender offers clues on how they wish to be perceived and treated.
Pronouns: Words used other than names to identify individuals or groups traditionally based upon sex or gender. He/him, she/her have been used as binary designations (only male/female) while they/theirs (singular) is used by some in our non-binary society. Pronouns are self-selected, varied, and may include ze/hir, ey/em, and numerous others. It is important to use the pronoun an individual prefers.