CUNA News
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • LOG IN
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • Topics
    • Community Service
    • Compliance
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Credit Union System
    • Directors
    • Human Resources
    • Leadership
    • Lending
    • Marketing
    • Operations
    • Policy & Issues
    • Sales & Service
    • Technology
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Buyers' Guide
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Edition
    • Credit Union Hero
    • Credit Union Rock Star
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Awards
    • Nominate Credit Union Hero
    • Nominate Credit Union Rock Star
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Contact

News

Home » Pandemic can’t stop Pride
Marketing

Pandemic can’t stop Pride

LGBTQ message resonates despite COVID-19 restrictions.

June 19, 2020
Ron Jooss
No Comments
Alternative Federal Credit Union's TransAction Financial Empowerment Program
Alternatives Federal Credit Union's Liz Hudson (left) and Reiley Schoen.

Restrictions around the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have changed how groups gather and celebrate, and Pride Month is no exception.

Alternatives Federal Credit Union in Ithaca, N.Y., is focusing on community partnerships that make the LGBTQ community more financially and socially secure.

“This year is so different on a lot of levels,” says Chris Cain, chief experience officer at the $115 million asset credit union. “We’re focusing on collaboration within the community.”

Through those partnerships, Alternatives Federal is hosting a series of workshops and virtual webinars about its TransAction Financial Empowerment Program.

The program provides access to funds to support gender affirmation, such as hormone therapy, vocal coaching, new wardrobes, legal documentation updates, and surgeries/procedures without the risks of high-interest credit or predatory lenders.

Alternatives Federal has partnered with Planned Parenthood of Greater New York to provide education that improves financial decision-making for the trans community with an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere.

The program’s credit features include a loan and a line of credit, Cain says. “The loan is to pay for surgery or maybe travel,” she says. “The line of credit covers ongoing expenses such as voice lessons, ongoing injections, and therapy.”

The effort serves a community need. “People were coming to us to finance their transition surgeries,” Cain says. “So they took our financial counseling to save for surgery. The program kind of built itself.”

But access to credit is only one aspect of the TransAction Financial Empowerment Program.

“Access to education and people who are supportive, open-minded, and who understand the struggles you’re going through is just as important,” Cain says.

She says it’s a bit odd celebrating Pride Month without the usual parades and festivals.

“We want to be cognizant of everything else that is going on,” Cain says. “A celebratory mood is good for some days and not so good for others. What’s important is having an open dialogue 12 months a year.”

KEYWORDS DEI LGBTQ Pride

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

Credit Union Magazine: Winter 2022

Winter 2022

Credit Union Magazine’s Winter 2022 issue highlights data-driven marketing, the board’s role in cybersecurity, elder abuse scams, credit unions’ auto lending advantage, and more.
Digital Edition •  Subscribe

Trending

  • House passes CUNA, League-led board modernization bill

  • CFPB issues CUNA-opposed proposal on credit card late fees

  • Key committee leaders supportive of credit union priorities

Tweets by CUNA_News

Polls

Vote for the 2023 CU Hero of the Year

View Results
More

Champion for the Credit Union Movement

Credit Union National Association is the most influential financial services trade association and the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America's credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Providers

Our Affiliates

  • American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
  • Credit Union Awareness
  • Credit Union House
  • CUNA Strategic Services
  • National Credit Union Foundation
GET CUNA UPDATES
© 2023 Credit Union National Association | ADA Compliance Notice & Legal
Email Us