June 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 43

and enact policies and programs
that provide safe and welcoming
spaces and improve health and
well-being.
The Gender Justice Project
Park and recreation agencies, like
Seattle Parks and Recreation, are
meeting the health, environmental
and social needs of the local LGBTQ
community by adopting policy, engaging those who identify as LGBTQ
in planning efforts. The department
also offers inclusive and targeted programs that provide increased opportunities for physical activity, outdoor
experiences, social connections and
healthy living. Seattle Parks and Recreation has long made LGBTQ inclusion and outreach a priority, investing
in long-term, sustainable solutions
to create a fairer, more socially conscious and just city.
At the policy level, the city of
Seattle launched the Gender Justice Project in 2016. The Gender
Justice Project is Seattle's effort
to create an inclusive workplace
and city, seeking to end gender and
race-based inequities in its workforce and in citywide policies, programs and service delivery, including parks and recreation.
As part of the Gender Justice Project, a citywide ordinance was passed
to help achieve greater restroom access to transgender and gender-diverse individuals. In addition to the
ordinance requiring the availability
of single-occupant restrooms, the
city is also investing internally in its
workforce by providing the training
and skills employees need to successfully work with community members who identify as LGBTQ.
Seattle Parks and Recreation
invests in programming that is inclusive to all and explicitly states

that those who identify as LGBTQ
are welcome and encouraged to
attend. Part of the department's efforts include programs for those 50
years and older as part of its " Rainbow Recreation " initiative, hosting
all-gender public swims, and providing safe, welcoming spaces and work
opportunities for all teens, including
those who identify as LGBTQ.
Creating More Accessible
and Welcoming Spaces
In March 2018, Seattle Parks and
Recreation held a summer job fair
for LGBTQ youth, young adults
and allies, connecting them to local
employers who are LGBTQ-friendly. In addition to providing targeted and inclusive programming for
LGBTQ individuals, there are some
small steps that can be taken to create more accessible and welcoming
spaces for all, including internally
among staff. Consider enhancing
your existing efforts by implementing some of the strategies featured
in the new LGBTQ Inclusion in
Parks and Recreation one-pager:
Messaging: It's important to recognize that although spaces and
programs may be open to all, members of the LGBTQ community
may feel more comfortable when
that message is explicitly stated and
supported by staff. Consider adding
messaging to promotional materials
or displaying the messaging in the
facilities to assure all community
members that they are welcome.
Promoting Gender-Neutral Interactions: Train staff to use gender-neutral pronouns during interactions with all constituents to support
an open environment. It is not possible to always correctly guess someone's gender based upon the person's
name or their physical appearance.

The project envisions a city where
a person's gender, gender identity and race
will no longer determine the ability to earn a
living wage, access to housing or the ability to
achieve healthy life outcomes.
- Gender Justice Project, Seattle, WA

One way to prevent this mistake is by
addressing people without using any
terms that indicate a gender. For example, instead of asking, " How may
I help you, sir? " simply ask: " How
may I help you? "
Facility Improvements: Park
and recreation agencies can add
features to their facilities that aid
in the comfort and increased safety
for the LGBTQ community. These
features include gender-neutral
and/or unisex restrooms, private/
family-style locker and changing
rooms and identifying safe spaces
for LGBTQ youth.
While many park and recreation
agencies are already leading the
way to more inclusive communities
and providing health and wellness
opportunities for all, there is more
that can be done to ensure everyone feels welcome and accepted.
If your park and recreation agency is leading the way to a more inclusive community this June and
beyond, share your story with us!
Detailed references for this article
are available at www.parksandrecreation.org/2018/June/pride-inparks.
Allison Colman is a Program Manager at NRPA and
identifies as she/her/hers (acolman@nrpa.org).

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June 2018 - Parks & Recreation

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