In June 2025, Nicole Crist and Jared Reece proudly represented SEIU Local 1000’s Lavender Committee at WorldPride 2025, a global gathering of LGBTQ+ communities, activists, and allies. Held in Washington, D.C., WorldPride offered a powerful platform for labor voices to stand in visible solidarity with queer and trans communities worldwide—and Local 1000 was there to ensure our members were part of that movement.
Nicole and Jared joined thousands of participants in a weekend filled with visibility, culture, and activism. As openly LGBTQ+ labor leaders, they marched with union banners raised high and Local 1000 colors proudly displayed, sending a clear message: queer and trans workers are essential to our public workforce, and their dignity and rights must be non-negotiable. Their participation affirmed to our members back home that Local 1000 doesn’t just tolerate diversity, we celebrate it, protect it, and organize around it.
In addition to taking part in the parade and global pride events, Nicole and Jared also supported SEIU Lavender’s Labor Reception, which brought together pro-union political allies, labor leaders, and advocates in a space dedicated to LGBTQ+ worker justice. These conversations reinforced the importance of building coalitions with those in government and advocacy who share our vision of inclusive, worker-centered progress. The relationships built during this event will strengthen Local 1000’s ability to champion equitable policies and expand protections for LGBTQ+ employees throughout the state.
For Local 1000’s Lavender Committee, attending WorldPride wasn’t just about celebration, was about representation. It was about ensuring that California’s LGBTQ+ state workers were present in global conversations about human rights, workplace dignity, and economic justice. And it was about bringing those conversations home to inspire stronger organizing, better protections, and a more inclusive union for all.