Guiding With Pride: NATCA Members Join World Pride Parade in Nation’s Capital

Nearly 40 NATCA members from Washington Center (ZDC) and staff from our National Office, along with their family and friends, represented our Union by marching in the World Pride parade on June 7 in Washington. Organizers estimated that more than a million people lined the 2-mile-long parade route, beginning in the Logan Circle neighborhood and ending on Constitution Avenue a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

NATCA’s contingent marched alongside the union’s float, which featured an air traffic control tower and a banner that read, “NATCA: We Guide You Home.” Many in the crowd waved and shouted thanks to air traffic controllers for their essential role in keeping the national airspace system safe.

The parade received media coverage from several major news outlets, including Fox, CNN, NBC, CBS, Reuters, the Washington Post, and the New York Post. ABC News broadcast the entire parade from a reviewing stand located near NATCA’s National Office.

Those marching in the parade wore shirts sold as part of a Pride Month campaign by the NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF). Hundreds of shirts were sold nationwide this year, with all proceeds benefiting NCF. In turn, NCF will donate all proceeds from shirt sales, plus a minimum of $1,000, to the following LGBTQ+ charitable organizations:

The Montrose Center (Houston, Texas): The Montrose Center empowers LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Montrose Center envisions a healthier society marked by permanent, positive changes in attitudes and behaviors toward the LGBTQ+ communities and the ability of all LGBTQ individuals to realize their fullest potential.

OUTMemphis (Memphis, Tenn.): For the last 33 years, OUTMemphis has been serving the LGBTQ+ individuals in the Mid-South, working to empower, connect, educate, and advocate for this vibrant community. OUTMemphis provides a range of resources to support physical, mental, and spiritual health and treat addiction.

Spencer Pride (Spencer, Ind.): Spencer Pride’s mission is to make Indiana a more welcoming place for all people. They operate the Spencer Pride commUnity center, coordinate the annual Spencer Pride Festival, offer a variety of health & wellness services, and host the Iris Youth Group. Spencer Pride is a 100% volunteer-powered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving rural South-Central Indiana.

Zebra Youth (Orlando, Fla.): The mission of Zebra Youth is empowering LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. Zebra Youth advances its mission by providing high quality, culturally appropriate programs designed to meet the unique needs of homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. They strive to meet the community’s needs for affordable youth housing, mental health services, proactive youth support, and community education.Nearly 40 NATCA members from Washington Center (ZDC) and staff from our National Office, along with their family and friends, represented our Union by marching in the World Pride parade on June 7 in Washington. Organizers estimated that more than a million people lined the 2-mile-long parade route, beginning in the Logan Circle neighborhood and ending on Constitution Avenue a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

NATCA’s contingent marched alongside the union’s float, which featured an air traffic control tower and a banner that read, “NATCA: We Guide You Home.” Many in the crowd waved and shouted thanks to air traffic controllers for their essential role in keeping the national airspace system safe.

The parade received media coverage from several major news outlets, including Fox, CNN, NBC, CBS, Reuters, the Washington Post, and the New York Post. ABC News broadcast the entire parade from a reviewing stand located near NATCA’s National Office.

Those marching in the parade wore shirts sold as part of a Pride Month campaign by the NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF). Hundreds of shirts were sold nationwide this year, with all proceeds benefiting NCF. In turn, NCF will donate all proceeds from shirt sales, plus a minimum of $1,000, to the following LGBTQ+ charitable organizations:

The Montrose Center (Houston, Texas): The Montrose Center empowers LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Montrose Center envisions a healthier society marked by permanent, positive changes in attitudes and behaviors toward the LGBTQ+ communities and the ability of all LGBTQ individuals to realize their fullest potential.

OUTMemphis (Memphis, Tenn.): For the last 33 years, OUTMemphis has been serving the LGBTQ+ individuals in the Mid-South, working to empower, connect, educate, and advocate for this vibrant community. OUTMemphis provides a range of resources to support physical, mental, and spiritual health and treat addiction.

Spencer Pride (Spencer, Ind.): Spencer Pride’s mission is to make Indiana a more welcoming place for all people. They operate the Spencer Pride commUnity center, coordinate the annual Spencer Pride Festival, offer a variety of health & wellness services, and host the Iris Youth Group. Spencer Pride is a 100% volunteer-powered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving rural South-Central Indiana.

Zebra Youth (Orlando, Fla.): The mission of Zebra Youth is empowering LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. Zebra Youth advances its mission by providing high quality, culturally appropriate programs designed to meet the unique needs of homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. They strive to meet the community’s needs for affordable youth housing, mental health services, proactive youth support, and community education.