Cascadia Training Celebrates Pride Month as An LGBTQ+ Owned Organization
Supporting Mental Health for the LGBTQ+ Community and Donating 10% of June sales to the National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)
As Pride Month begins, Cascadia Training, an LGBTQ+ owned organization, proudly announces its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and its support for the National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN).
During June, Cascadia Training will donate 10% of workshop sales to NQTTCN to further their vital work in fostering inclusivity and empowerment for both mental health clinicians and client populations through their Mental Health Fund.
As some of you may know, Cascadia Training is not just an organization dedicated to inclusive, accessible, and innovative professional training but also an LGBTQ+ owned business.
Allow us to introduce you to our beloved owner and co-founder of Cascadia, Brian, and his husband, Downing!
In a world where online dating has become the norm, it’s heartwarming to hear stories of couples who find their perfect match amidst a sea of profiles. Brian and Downing met on Chemistry.com and embarked on a remarkable journey filled with love and adventure that holds stronger than ever, and will celebrate their 15th anniversary this September.
Brian and Downing’s story began with a stroke of serendipity. They were each other’s first and only dates on Chemistry.com! Their second date, at a drag show, cemented their deep connection. They recognized their shared values, humor, and zest for life, leading them to take a leap of faith and move in together shortly after.
Both Brian and Downing desire to make a positive impact on the world, both professionally and personally. When they first met, they both worked for non-profits. Brian worked for an adoption and foster care agency, advocating for the well-being of children in need, which eventually led to the establishment of Cascadia Training! Brian is also a proud adoptive parent of his son Mat and beloved grandfather to Mat’s five kiddos.
As a dentist, Downing opted to use his dental expertise to help children in foster care through a non-profit organization as well as working as the Dental Director for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. Downing now owns two successful dental practices, Tower Dental in downtown Seattle and Juanita Bay Dentistry in Kirkland, WA.
Brian and Downing’s relationship blossomed as they discovered numerous shared interests. They find joy in hosting lively parties, where they showcase their impressive culinary and cocktail-making skills, sharing delectable dishes of all cuisines paired with the perfect wines and cocktails. With Downing’s expertise from attending wine school and Brian’s enthusiastic participation, their collection of sumptuous wines and gins continues to grow, adding an extra layer of fun to their relationship – and to their parties!
Their parties often have themes…there is even a disco ball hanging in their garage and a custom-made bar with windows that open out to their patio. Whether it’s just a casual weekend brunch or a huge party, both Brian and Downing LOVE playing music on their very impressive sound system, pulling from a vast vinyl collection that truly spans the decades.
Their furry family members, Sookie the dog and Thomas the cat, complete their loving home. Brian and Downing strive to share their stories and empower others to create long-lasting, freeing, and loving relationships for all! Love is love, of course.
Music and travel are two pillars that have strengthened Brian and Downing’s bond. They have attended over 75 concerts together and have dubbed 2023 their Year of Live Music! Exploring new destinations together is a passion for the couple, and they have already visited 17 countries, with plans to increase that number to 20 by the end of this year.
Both Brian and Downing, along with the businesses they own, value giving back and contributing to causes they care deeply about. For Pride Month, Cascadia Training is committed to making a positive impact by supporting NQTTCN. This organization plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices and needs of queer and trans therapists of color while challenging systemic barriers that affect mental health in marginalized communities.
By donating 10% of each sale, we aim to contribute to the critical work of NQTTCN and foster a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible mental health landscape for all but particularly for those who need it most like LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
For more information about Cascadia Training and our commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community, check out our diverse workshop offerings, including those presented by myriad experts with lived experience and those that focus on implicit biases, sexuality, gender, neurodivergent, deconstruction of systemic biases, and historically marginalized populations such as those who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC.
Happy Pride, Y’all!
With love and gratitude,
Brian, Downing, and the Entire Cascadia Crew
