Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) employees marched with members and allies of the Southern Nevada LGBTQIA+ community for Las Vegas PRIDE Oct. 11.
2024 marks the first year the Rainbow Warriors Employee Resource Group represented the NNSS at the annual parade, held in Las Vegas each October to honor LGBTQIA+ History Month and National Coming Out Day. The event offered employees the chance to connect with the community through important conversations that align with the NNSS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Program mantra — we are Better Together.
“For the NNSS to be present, it shows support for building community with inclusion of all voices,” said NNSS Principal Project Manager Heath Uhrenholdt, who is president of the Rainbow Warriors Employee Resource Group. “This is one of the most intersectional populations and communities out there. It’s not specific to age, gender or denomination. The Pride flag speaks to inclusion, community and compassion. Having the NNSS represented there for the first year is a huge step in communicating that the NNSS is supportive of the LGBTQIA+ community, the local community and is an inclusive environment and employer.”
Rainbow Warriors is one of seven Employee Resource Groups featured at the NNSS: African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, Early Career, Hispanic, Veterans, and Women. Year-round, Employee Resource Groups inspire connection through onsite employee events, local team-building activities and community outreach.
“Having that visibility and showing the NNSS is supportive of inclusion and values diversity is critically important, not just outwardly toward the community, but here internally for our culture and supporting our own employees,” added Uhrenholdt. “We are always looking for people who want to build community and be proactive toward building a more cohesive workplace where people are effectively working in teams together, valuing each of us as human. We each bring value and are better together.”
Learn more about the NNSS’ commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility at https://nnss.gov/about-the-nnss/idea/.
