“How can I get involved?”
“I’d like to meet more people.”
“It’s important for me to give back.”
Getting involved seems simple, but sometimes people just aren’t sure how to do it. You want to help. You have the time. You have some skills. Now what?
There are lots of LGBT events in Pittsburgh that rely on volunteers, but without question Pittsburgh Pride is the largest. Its success is truly dependent on its volunteers, and with over 81,000 people throughout the 10 day event, you can bet that we need help making Pride happen. In fact, last year we had over 200 volunteers!
“I don’t have a lot of time.”
“I have a bad knee and can’t really do a lot of walking.”
“I want to be ON the Pub Crawl, not PLAN the Pub Crawl.”
The biggest thing you can give us is time. Don’t let barriers hold you back. If you’d rather be on the Pub Crawl, instead of helping with the Pub Crawl, that’s fine! There’s is a lot of work and planning before and after that needs to happen and we appreciate any help that you can give us. If you have a physical limitation, that’s not a problem! There is plenty of officetype work that we need help with such as responding to emails, making phone calls, stuffing envelopes, creating spreadsheets, and scheduling people to attend meetings.
But don’t just take it from us. DJ, Zack, Tricia, and Maurita are four of our amazing Delta Foundation volunteers. At one time, they felt just like you. Read their stories to the right about how they got involved and how it’s changed their lives.
Tricia
When I was younger, being out wasn’t as accepted and there wasn’t anywhere for me to go to meet people “like” me. I volunteer so that I can be a part of events that people can go to and feel welcome and comfortable. I want to work with others who want to make things better for the lives of LGBT people. Without volunteers, these events could not happen. To look out at Pride and see the sea of LGBT and LGBT-friendly people having a great and safe time…..it is emotional and that’s why I do it. It is a great feeling to give of yourself and time, but it’s an even better feeling knowing that you have sacrificed yourself to better the lives of others. And the extra bonus to volunteering…you meet some totally awesome people!
Zack
When I first moved to Pittsburgh seven years ago to attend Duquesne University, I had little to no knowledge on what it was to be gay in a city. I had come from a small town and was only recently out myself. Discovering several groups and organizations in the city, such as the Delta Foundation, allowed me to develop a new perspective. I did not traditionally feel that I was the “Pride” type, not that I didn’t have pride but that I simply could not see myself in pink underwear and a boa. This was an admittedly a very small-minded view and I soon realized that my reason for NOT being involved, was exactly why I NEEDED to get involved. I quickly found myself front and center at events that I never thought were my “thing,” but I’m here to tell you that they are what you make of them!
Since my first volunteer event, I have had the pleasure of making some of my closest and most trusting friends. I learned that volunteering was not about getting into Pride for free, meeting guys or girls, or to do someone a favor, but rather to be a part of the wave for equality that is currently washing over our country. I’ve met individuals fighting with incurable diseases that were stronger than myself (a healthy 25 year old), and people that will call me the moment they sense I’m in any distress. Volunteering opened my eyes to a new view of the gay “scene” and has inspired me beyond imagination. Seems like a dramatic statement, right? That’s the beauty of being gay, I suppose.
But don’t simply take my word for it. Take the plunge and sign up for one event during Pride. I promise that you will find yourself more enriched and with at least one more friend.
DJ
I started volunteering for Pride three years ago and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my entire life. Growing up, I never had anyone to talk to about being gay. I lived in Baltimore, but I didn’t know anything about Baltimore Pride, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center, or any type of gay culture. Looking back, I really wish I would have so I wouldn’t have felt so alone in my endeavors.
Pride is special because it makes people happy and lets them know that they belong. It gives you its own special sense of accomplishment when it’s all over. The people you meet and work with are people you get to know and love. We are always excited when Pride comes back around and can see each other once again. It’s really more fun than work and it all goes by very quickly. Hard work and diligence is always rewarding, but at the end of the day, the true reward is the happy looks on people’s faces and knowing that you’ve helped change people’s lives for the best and give them hope for their future.
Maurita
The first time I volunteered for Pittsburgh Pride I was about 20 years old. Seeing all of the LGBT people there showed me how many people were just like me and gave me the strength to be proud of who I was. Volunteering for me let’s me give back to the community who helped me be comfortable with myself and gives me the chance to help make that moment exist for someone else.
Ready to dive in and see what Pride is really all about it?
