Show Your Pride and Allyship with Johnson’s Out and Allied Employee Resource Group

by Linda Grimm | 2024-05-30

LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex) Pride Month is held annually during the month of June to promote the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people as a social group. It is a time to learn more about the stories and experiences of the LGBTQI+ community and to consider what it means to become an ally.

This June, Johnson Space Center’s Out & Allied Employee Resource Group (OAERG) has organized a variety of Pride Month events to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community and provide opportunities for allyship. All Johnson team members are invited to participate.

A large group of men and women prepares to participate in the annual Houston Pride Parade. — *Out & Allied Employee Resource Group members and allies prepare to march in the Houston Pride Parade in June 2023. Image courtesy of Margaret Kennedy*

Every Wednesday

Show Your PRIDE! Wear LGBTQI+ attire every Wednesday in June.

Sunday, June 2, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Pride Market Kickoff

Karbach Brewing, 2032 Karbach Street, Houston

Local LGBTQI+ organizations and businesses will gather for a Pride Month kickoff market at Karbach Brewing. Look for the OAERG table!

Friday, June 7, 7 p.m. – Montrose Dinner and Bar Crawl

El Tiempo Cantina, 322 Westheimer Road, Houston

Join OAERG for dinner at El Tiempo Cantina before walking over to explore the LGBTQI+ bar scene in the Montrose community.

Friday, June 14, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Gayming Night

Gilruth Center Discovery Room

Join Boeing Employee Pride Alliance and OAERG for a fun night competing in various games with your coworkers! Some board games will be brought by the leadership team but feel free to bring some of your favorites to share!

Soda, juice, water, and chips will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own beer and wine (the Gilruth Center does not allow alcohol), but please drink responsibly.

Sunday, June 16, 4 p.m. – OAERG Meetup at SidePeace Pride Market

SidePeace, 4218 Washington Avenue, Houston

Meet up with other OAERG members at SidePeace, a new bar opened by the owners of Pearl. Help us support Houston’s second lesbian bar, peruse offerings from local queer vendors, and stock up on gear for the Pride Parade.

Saturday, June 22, 4:00 p.m. – Pride Parade

March with OAERG and friends from Boeing, Jacobs, and other aerospace organizations in the greater Houston ga(y)laxy to help make this a powerful pride march and inspire the next generation. Johnson Associate Center Director Donna Shafer will be our special guest for the parade.

OAERG will be providing real-time updates on our location via WhatsApp for those interested in joining us for the parade. Use the QR code below to join the WhatsUp group.

Thursday, June 27, 5:30 p.m. – Pride Month Closing Dinner

El Tiempo Cantina, 20237 Gulf Freeway, Webster

This dinner will feature remarks by Ash Hall, policy and advocacy strategist at ACLU of Texas. Hall will discuss LGBTQI+ rights in Texas, local and state-level legislation targeting the community, and ways to help community members who may be most impacted by those harmful efforts.