Pride in Action: How Douglas Elliman Agents Showed Up for Pride Month 2024

By Grace Cassidy From its sponsorship of Aspen Gay Ski Week and the International Gay Polo Tournament to its national network of agents who use their platforms to promote and celebrate tolerance and acceptance, the Douglas Elliman community is committed to advancing LGBTQIA+ equity and inclusion. As Pride Month 2024 draws to a close, we want to spotlight ways that Elliman agents turned Pride into action. Babylon Pride Parade   The 5th Annual Babylon Pride Parade took place on Sunday, June 2. Christopher Bacchus , the office manager at the Douglas Elliman New Hyde Park office, organized the event alongside Beth Lowe and Josh Walley , while Elizabeth Glass worked at the table. “Pride, to me, means celebrating authenticity and embracing who I am without hesitation,” said Bacchus. “As an agent and manager who has worked at Douglas Elliman for nearly ten years, being myself has allowed me to lead with integrity and create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. It’s about standing tall in my truth and inspiring others to do the same, knowing that our diversity is our greatest strength. Seeing managers like Josh Whalley and agents like Beth Lowe, who both planned this event, dedicate their time to support this celebration fills me with pride. It reminds me why I joined Elliman in the first place — to be part of a community that welcomes and values everyone, not just during Pride, but every day.” North Fork Pride Parade Elliman agents Patricia Shackel and Stephan Mandresh. After sponsoring the inaugural event in 2023, Douglas Elliman’s Mattituck office returned to support the 2nd Annual North Fork Pride Parade, which took place in Greenport, Long Island, on June 22. North Fork agent Stephan Mandresh , who hosted Elliman’s booth alongside his colleague , said the event was a huge success and shared his thoughts on what it meant for him. “I’m very fortunate that at this stage of my life, my relationships with people are not affected by my sexuality,” Mandresh said. “I feel completely accepted and supported by family, friends, colleagues, clients and Douglas Elliman management. But not everyone is as lucky as I am. There are plenty of gay men and women who are still being bullied, harassed and made to feel like they are less deserving of love than straight people. I like to believe that Pride parades give them hope and show them that they can be accepted for whoever they want to be, that they can have a life worth celebrating!” West Coast Pride This year marks the seventh Pride gathering that Beverly Hills-based agent Ivan Estrada has hosted for his network of family, friends and clients. “Living authentically and celebrating who you truly are is what Pride is all about,” Estrada said. “Every year, I host a vibrant party to bring together friends, family and clients — connecting like-minded souls I love and admire. Let’s shine bright and embrace our true selves!” Summertime Pride Benjamin Dixon (left) at the 2022 School's Out fundraiser. (Photo: Andrew Werner) Every year, the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) puts on their School’s Out fundraiser in the Hamptons. The proceeds help HMI continue to support LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 24 with life-saving services during the summer months, when kids are more vulnerable without the consistency of the regular school week. New York City-based Elliman agent Ben Dixon has co-chaired the event since 2017 . Last year’s event brought in over $650,000. This year, the event will be hosted on July 20 in Water Mill.