Community Inclusion Partner Pledge

As a Proud Community Inclusion Partner (CIP), we are proud to affirm our commitment to building a more welcoming and inclusive Park Ridge and greater Chicagoland community.

We also recognize that inclusion is not only a social value, but a civic one. As a CIP, our commitment is rooted in the founding ideals of our nation: that all people are endowed with inherent dignity, entitled to liberty, and deserving of equal protection, opportunity, and respect. Upholding these principles is fundamental to the strength, liberty, and unity of our community.

We believe that allyship is an active expression of American values. Just as our Constitution and Bill of Rights were designed to protect individuals from exclusion, discrimination, and unjust treatment, we affirm our responsibility to ensure that freedom, safety, and respect extend to everyone - regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Our organization is, and will continue to be, inclusive of all, regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. We believe that true allyship means creating spaces where every employee, patron, and community member feels safe, respected, and valued.

As a CIP, we have pledged to:

• - Maintain a safe and affirming environment for employees and patrons, recognizing safety and dignity as foundational freedoms.
• - Ensure our online presence reflects this commitment. For example, by marking our Google Business profile as “LGBTQ+ Friendly” and, where applicable, “Transgender Safe Space.”
• - Educate our team members on inclusive language, respectful communication, and allyship practices.
• - Display our membership decal proudly, in our physical location or online, as a visible sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
• - Offer, plan to offer, or find creative alternatives to provide gender-inclusive restroom access and other affirming accommodations.
• - Promote inclusive hiring, onboarding, and workplace policies that uphold equity, respect, and equal opportunity for all.
• - Engage with community feedback and continue strengthening our culture of welcome and belonging.

Through these actions, we also commit to core American principles:

• - The belief that all people are equal in dignity and worth, and deserve equal treatment and opportunity.
• - The protection of individual freedom of identify, expression, and association.
• - The responsibility of institutions and organizations to safeguard liberty and safety within the spaces they control.
• - The ongoing work of building a more just and welcoming society, in pursuit of a more perfect union.

Visible support signals safety, belonging, and celebration for LGTBQ+ community members and allies. Inclusive policies strengthen talent attraction and retention for the entire Park Ridge and surrounding Chicagoland business ecosystem. A unified decal creates instant recognition for safe spaces across storefronts, offices, and venues.

By displaying the LGBTQ+ Ally decal, we stand with organizations across Park Ridge and the greater Chicagoland region in affirming a shared commitment to liberty, equality, and belonging. Inclusion is not a one-time action, but an ongoing civic practice of learning, listening, and leading by example. In doing so, we contribute to a stronger, freer, and more united community for all.