About Seattle Out and Proud (SO&P)
Mission Statement
Create unity, honor diversity, and achieve equal human rights throughout our region and the world.
Our Purpose
We coordinate and promote Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender pride events in the Seattle area celebrating the present, envisioning the future, and honoring the past.
As a non-profit organization, sponsorships and donations are used to offset expenses required to produce the year-round celebrations. To highlight the events we produce, we have three main events.
We start with Pride Idol. A singing competition that begins in March and continues through June. With nearly a hundred participants, the final winner performs aboard the Pride Idol float during the Seattle Pride Parade.
The second event is the Pride picnic. During June, SO&P produces a picnic held in Volunteer Park. This is a family friendly event where we provide lunch, games and music!
Our largest event is the Seattle Pride Parade. This parade is always a climax of the celebratory weekend on the last Sunday in June. Historically honors Stonewall – marking the start of the gay rights movement in 1969. Over 120 parade entries from different organizations, employers, sponsors and movements participate in this event. This event brings public awareness to current issues while also providing and advertising resources that support diversity, equal rights and community.
SO&P is an organization made up of an all volunteer board of directors. We also cannot be successful without the help of many volunteers who assist and support us throughout the entire year. Planning large events such as those noted is a year long endeavor. As we continue to grow, our volunteer needs also grow. We encourage anyone who wants to gain experience, socialize, have fun and create community to participate and volunteer.
