Stories

In-person Pride events return with renewed energy.

During June, U.S. Bank employees have been out in full force supporting nearly 50 Pride events across the country as festivities and celebrations return to in-person status for the first time since 2019. 

“People are really taking the Pride season to heart this year; they are ensuring they are showing up and showing out to show love and support for the community,” said Matt Hudson, U.S. Bank business analyst who also volunteers as the project manager for Pride engagement at the company.

While Hudson’s day job is working as a business analyst for the company, he volunteers his time to the U.S. Bank Spectrum LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group (BRG), overseeing Pride engagement events. The company’s signature participation in many events is coordinating at least 50 people to carry a 30-feet by 50-feet Pride flag. In addition to excitement for the return of in-person parades and festivals, many employees are especially proud to carry one of two new Progressive Pride flags the company recently invested in. The Progressive Pride flag is a 2018 redesign of the iconic rainbow flag that celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and calls for a more inclusive society. 

In West Hollywood, California, the inaugural WeHo Pride Parade entertained more than 10,000 spectators and included surprise celebrity performances from singers Cardi B and JoJo Siwa. The U.S. Bank West Hollywood branch sits on the parade route, and employees helped organize 40 volunteers for the three-day festival.  

“It was very amazing; the vibe and energy was spectacular. People were ready to celebrate being LGBTQ and an ally…the crowd was massive,” shared John Trinidad, client relationship consultant at the West Hollywood branch, who helped organize the bank’s participation in the  event.

In Salt Lake City, more than 50 volunteers turned out to walk in the Salt Lake City Pride Parade, which this year doubled its route in length from six neighborhood blocks to now 13 blocks. And in Columbus, Ohio, more than 50,000 spectators came out to watch 15,000 parade participants in Stonewall Columbus Pride. U.S. Bank provided more than 100 volunteers for the event, which is recognized as the largest Midwest Pride parade outside of Chicago.

“I think all of us who partake in LGBTQ+ work are ecstatic to be back in person and are looking forward to being together and celebrating the work we do all year,” Said Matt Haverman, market operations leader for Columbus at U.S. Bank and coordinator for the bank’s participation in Stonewall Columbus Pride.   

At U.S. Bank, support for LBGTQ+ communities is an always-on function of the company with a focus on creating a safe and accepting environment where LGBTQ+ employees can be their authentic selves. One way the company does this is through the Spectrum LGBTQ+ BRG. Launched almost 10 years ago, U.S. Bank operates 10 chapters with more than 2,900 actively engaged members who network, learn, develop leadership skills and contribute to the company and their communities.  

Benefits at U.S. Bank are also among the most inclusive in the industry. Employees eligible for benefits can cover their spouse/domestic partner, regardless of sex, under the company’s plans, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, etc. Additionally, employees can utilize parental leave following a birth or adoption, and U.S. Bank offers a $10,000 adoption and/or surrogacy assistance benefit.

The company’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community has earned national recognition, including most recently being named a 2022 Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. For 16 consecutive years and running, U.S. Bank received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index

To learn more about how U.S. Bank shows support for the LGBTQ+ community through nonprofit support, community events and product and service offerings tailored to the community’s unique needs, visit usbank.com/lgbtq. To explore open roles and apply to join our team, visit usbank.com/careers.