ICMA and CivicPRIDE have formally joined forces to create a new strategic affiliation. Through this partnership, the two organizations will combine their efforts to drive the participation and advancement of members of the LGBTQIA+ community in local government leadership roles.  

CivicPRIDE works toward the advancement of inclusive local governments by empowering LGBTQIA+ leadership. With an eight-member governing body, CivicPRIDE focuses on continuing to build awareness and engagement with dynamic online content through blogging, articles, presentations, and other engagement opportunities. In addition, CivicPRIDE is working with their own membership and through partner networks virtually to create online hangouts, storytelling events, and conference sessions. Other key objectives include educating public officials about the value of LGBTQIA+ diversity in local government leadership, and strengthening relationships between local government groups supporting CivicPRIDE.

“Diversity is a community asset that enhances and enriches the lives of all community members, and a diverse operations and leadership structure that reflects the community served produces better governance structures and better outcomes for communities. We’re excited to announce this partnership between ICMA and CivicPRIDE to help each other create those better outcomes,” said Marc A. Ott, executive director, ICMA.

“The partnership between ICMA and CivicPRIDE is a great new milestone this year,” Nathan Bassett, board member, CivicPRIDE said, “As community servant-leaders, we have a responsibility to promote and serve the best interests of our community. That means taking diversity and the intersectional interests of our communities into account throughout any decision-making process, especially during crises of the magnitude that we have experienced this year.”

This partnership supports ICMA’s strategic plan initiative "to expand and diversify the ICMA membership" and continues the efforts started by ICMA’s Task Force on Diversity in the Profession, which reviewed the status of underrepresented communities in the local government management profession and developed recommendations and strategies for increasing the presence of those community members in the practice.

“This new affiliation with ICMA will help raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ professionals’ contributions to public service excellence and how a diverse staff better represents our communities, and will attract a more diverse workforce to help build and grow the beautiful tapestry of local governments around the world,” said Pam Davis, board chair, CivicPRIDE. “The best time for local governments to be explicitly inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community was decades ago. The second-best time is right now.”

About CivicPRIDE

CivicPRIDE launched in 2015 and is the first nationally recognized professional association for LGBTQIA+ professionals in local government. CivicPRIDE’s mission is to advance inclusive local government by empowering LGBTQIA+ leadership. They pursue their mission through the following actions:

P – Provide an inclusive space and networking group for LGBTQIA+ local government professionals and their straight allies.
R – Recognize the accomplishments and experiences of LGBTQIA+ local government professionals.
I – Inspire LGBTQIA+ individuals and encourage them to apply to leadership roles in local government.
D – Diversify local government organizations by advocating for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their inclusion and advancement in these organizations.
E – Educate local government professionals and organizations on creating an inclusive culture for LGBTQIA+ employees and community members.

Follow CivicPRIDE on Twitter @CivicPrideLGBT or visit their website.