As our celebration of Pride Month comes to a close, we are thrilled to introduce Ryan, Store Leader at our New Castle Giant Eagle. Additionally, we'll get to know Bonnie, Sr. Team Leader, who's passion and advocacy of the LGBTQ+ community makes her a strong ally and supporter across the organization.

Ryan, Store Leader at New Castle Giant Eagle

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm originally from Oklahoma, but I currently live in Poland, OH with my partner and three dogs. When I'm not at work, I love to travel, visit with loved ones, read, and listen to music.

What is your role in Giant Eagle? What do you love most about your job?
My primary responsibility is helping serve our neighbors and to help support/develop my team.

What does celebrating PRIDE Month mean to you?
For me, Pride Month is about our history, time to reflect, and education through visibility.

How do you think one can become a better ally and support the LGBTQ+ community?
Simply by being present with an open mind, an open heart, and by being vocal with support.

How important is the role of the GE Proud BRG and how is it supporting the inclusion, equity, and diversity goals of the organization?
The BRG helps by advocating for the LGBTQ+ community here at Giant Eagle. We support the IE&D efforts through education and visibility.

What challenges would you like to help the LGBTQ+ community overcome in the future?
I think educating our neighbors and each other about our history, our struggles & our accomplishments as a community. I firmly believe that educating each other of where we've been is the only way we can gain ground on our rights and our hope of being respected, to try and build back the ground we lost over the last several years.

. . .

Bonnie, Sr. Team Leader at Canton Giant Eagle

Tell us a little about yourself.
I've been with Giant Eagle since 2019. I was a Front End Leader, Special Project Trainer, and most recently, finished training to become a Senior Team Leader. I'm the mom of two. My oldest is 26 and lives in Columbus with his partner, and my youngest just turned 20 and is a Transgender nonbinary kiddo. I enjoy spending time with them and the rest of my family.

What is your role in Giant Eagle? What do you love most about your job?
I am a Senior Team Leader at Canton Giant Eagle. I enjoy doing something different everyday. I love being able to interact with our Guests and help them have a great shopping experience.

What does celebrating PRIDE Month mean to you?
Celebrating Pride Month is important to me because as an ally, I need to always stand tall and loud. I need to make sure that I'm seen as a safe space to those that need it. It's also important to take part in as an ally because the more we're seen, more safe spaces will fill the world.

How do you think one can become a better ally and support the LGBTQ+ community?
There is always room for improvement. We can get better at showing Allyship throughout the year not just during Pride Month. We can develop relationships with community resources to make sure our Team Member's all know what resources are available to them.

How do you support and participate in the GE PROUD BRG at Giant Eagle?
I support and participate by being active and making sure Team Member's know about it. Last year, I put together a personal care drive for Pride Month to support the B. Riley house for sober living in the LGBTQIA community. This was important to me because so many from that community wind up young, and on the streets just for being their true selves.

What challenges would you like to help the LGBTQ+ community overcome in the future?
For me the biggest issue that they are facing right now is all the legislation trying to be passed. Ohio is one of dozens of states trying to pass over 340 anti LGBTQ laws. Most of these are against the Trans-Community which hits home for me as the parent of a transgender youth. It's my job as an ally to be very vocal and not let this movement keep going. We as allies need to be just as loud or louder than the rest of the community. We must make sure the future is safer for our kids coming up. We are living in a time when they are trying to put the LGBTQ+ community back into hiding in the dark. We can't allow this to happen. We're losing our children at alarming rates to both suicide and violence against the LGBTQ+ community. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are four times more likely to be victims of a violent crime. I will not be silenced, and I will not allow the community to be silenced either.