BECU Celebrates Pride Month
You'll see BECU at 10 Pride events across Washington, from Seattle to Spokane, in June and July. Get a full rundown of where you'll find us marching in parades and repping at booths.
June is an exciting month for BECU, as we gear up for two months of Pride events. We're offering smiling faces and giveaways of BECU-branded swag like sunglasses, pinwheels and stickers.
"I've volunteered at several events over the past couple of years, including BECU's Pride Flag Raising, Pride in the Park and Trans Pride Seattle," said Amanda G., BECU member consultant lead at Mill Creek Neighborhood Financial Center, and co-chair of BECU's Pride Advocacy Collective employee resource group. "Each one has been a celebration of love, identity and community."
Amanda said the most memorable experience was marching with BECU's contingent in the Seattle Pride Parade last year, which she described as "full of color, music and support."
"It was my first time participating in the parade, and I was thrilled to bring my wife and children along," Amanda said. "My wife came out as transgender in January 2022, and since then, our family has been on a journey of growth and learning."
Amanda found that marching with her family in the parade was meaningful, "not just for me and my wife, but especially for our kids," she said. "They could see so many other families that looked like ours, and witness firsthand how diverse, joyful and beautiful families can be."
With some planning, you could spend June through July celebrating Pride, from one side of Washington to another. You'll find BECU participating at events this month as a sponsor, offering swag at tables or marching down streets in parades.
At some booths and tables, you'll also find general flyers and information about member Refer-a-Friend promotions. Others have more information about products and services, and the ability to establish BECU membership.
Whether you're a member (yet) or not, connecting with BECU is one way we hope to make Pride a memorable experience of inclusion.
"What stood out most was the sense of belonging," Amanda said. "Being there with BECU, surrounded by colleagues and community members who genuinely care about inclusion, made me feel proud to be part of an organization that shows up for the LGBTQIA+ community in such a visible and heartfelt way."
10 Washington State Events for Pride
Here are 10 events where you'll see BECU participation, from Anacortes to Seattle to Spokane.
Lake Stevens Pride
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Lake Stevens, Washington
June's first Pride event takes place in Lake Stevens, just north of Seattle in Snohomish County. It promises five hours (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) of live performances, a carnival, workshops, food trucks and more at Mt. Pilchuck Elementary School.
You don't have to be a local to attend. Visit the town and stop by BECU's table to grab BECU-themed merch.
Seattle Pride in the Park
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Seattle, Washington
In 1974, the first Seattle Pride Parade marched down Seattle streets with fewer than 200 people. Today, the nonprofit Seattle Out & Proud Foundation features more than two months of community events starting in late May.
One of those events is Pride in the Park, where you'll spot BECU employees at a table, and Rochelle Walden offering festival-style face painting (also at Trans Pride Seattle).
"Rochelle has joined us for a few years now, and the community loves her," Amanda said.
This free, all-ages event occurs from 12 to 7 p.m. in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood at Volunteer Park. It's known as the "The Ultimate LGBTQIA2S+ Pride Kickoff," celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit and "+" for the inclusion of other unlisted identities.
The daylong festivities include live performances, more than 80 booths featuring queer and Black, Indigenous and people of color artists, businesses, nonprofits and food options, a dance floor, and interactive community spaces.
Spokane Pride Parade
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Spokane, Washington
Join residents east of the Cascades (or visitors who want to enjoy a weekend getaway) alongside BECU employee resource group members as we walk and roll together in the Spokane Pride Parade.
Pride weekend begins with a noon parade in Downtown Spokane, followed by a 1 p.m. kickoff event at Riverfront Park, and a 6 p.m. all-ages dance party at Lilac Bowl.
Find five stages with live entertainment at the 2025 Spokane Pride Festival. Other features include food trucks and a beverage garden, a kids' zone for 12 and under, and a teen and youth zone.
Black Trans Comedy Showcase
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Seattle, Washington
Two BECU employee resource groups help sponsor the 4th Annual Black Trans Comedy Showcase, an evening of live comedy performances, a silent auction, and giving — tickets sold help support the Lavender Rights Project, a nonprofit organization that provides legal and social services to Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ individuals in Washington State and beyond. Tickets are available for purchase now for the evening performance in Seattle.
Everett Pride
Friday through Sunday, June 20-22, 2025
Everett, Washington
Just north of Seattle, Everett Pride hosts a three-day extravaganza, where you'll spot BECU tables. Events include a Friday night Solstice night market with performances for those 21 and older. There's also a free, all-ages, all-day Saturday block party and a ticketed 21+ Sunday Diva Drag Brunch.
Anacortes Pride
Sunday, June 21, 2025
Anacortes, Washington
Come meet the faces of BECU (and grab some swag) at Anacortes Pride, about two hours north of Seattle. The day starts with an 11 a.m. downtown parade, then features a picnic and celebration at Causland Park.
Trans Pride Seattle
Friday, June 27, 2025
Seattle, Washington
One of the largest trans gatherings in the U.S., Trans Pride Seattle aims to increase the strength of the two-spirit, trans and gender diverse people in Seattle and beyond. This event occurs in Seattle's Volunteer Park Amphitheater from 5 to 10 p.m. and features live stage entertainment and performances.
The concurrent Trans Pride Seattle tabling fair hosts dozens of local community groups, organizations, businesses, health and social services, by and for the community. BECU will be tabling at this year's Trans Pride event, where you'll find a professional face painter. Stop by and say hello!
Seattle Pride Parade and PrideFest Capitol Hill
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Seattle, Washington
Spot BECU as we walk, roll, dance and sashay in the Seattle Pride Parade, alongside more than 250 activists, businesses, nonprofits and other allies. We'll join 300,000 people in downtown Seattle streets to celebrate LGBTQIA2S+ visibility. The Pride Parade floats and marchers walk along 4th Avenue between Pike Street and Denny Way.
Afterward, Seattle's historic LGBTQIA+ neighborhood hosts PrideFest Capitol Hill. Find two stages of local and regional entertainment, a family/queer youth stage, 21-and-up beer gardens, food vendors and more. Watch for BECU's table at the event for free swag.
Tacoma Pride Festival
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Tacoma, Washington
At Tacoma's downtown Wright Park, join your fellow BECU Pride celebrants for a day of entertainment and more.
Pride IN Bellingham
Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, 2025
Bellingham, Washington
This all-ages, all-weekend celebration in July includes a Pride Family Picnic and a Pride dance party. Downtown Bellingham's streets are closed to cars for the Pride parade on Sunday. The Sunday festival features artists, community groups, small businesses and nonprofits (like BECU's table — come say hello).
The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized financial, tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation when making financial, legal, tax, investment, or any other business and professional decisions that affect you and/or your business.
Related Content
Lora Shinn
Contributor