Power = Pride Foundation's new Advocacy Fund |
||
|
Seattle Gay News
click here to go to the main SGN website
posted Friday, February 24, 2012 - Volume 40 Issue 08 Power = Pride Foundation's new Advocacy Fundby Shaun Knittel - SGN Associate Editor Kris Hermanns, executive director of the Pride Foundation, says there is no doubt that we'll look back on 2012 as a significant turning point in the movement for full equality for the LGBT and Queer community. 'But how did we get here?' she asks. Hermanns recently spoke with Seattle Gay News about the Pride Foundation's Advocacy Fund to answer that question. The Pride Foundation was founded in 1985. Since then, the organization has funded the work done by dedicated LGBT people (and our allies) to help bring us to this moment, according to Hermanns. 'The way we are regarded and treated in this country has changed dramatically from 27 years ago,' she said. 'Yet, we know that there is much change to be made until equality reaches every corner.' That is where Pride Foundation's Advocacy Fund fits in, she explained. The Advocacy Fund at Pride Foundation supports critical policy efforts across the entire region. To be sure, Pride Foundation's funding of advocacy work to make systemic legal and legislative change in the Northwest is not new. 'We've been doing that for over 15 years,' reminded Hermanns. 'In fact, our grant in 1997 to support the initiative that would prohibit employment discrimination in Washington state based on sexual orientation was one of the first of this kind of funding.' 'Today,' she continued, 'Pride Foundation recognizes that this work being done by our community is making a fundamental difference in the lives of LGBT people here. So we created the Advocacy Fund to give investors a way to dedicate their giving to help create change.' According to Pride Foundation officials, donations to the fund will impact legislative work across all five states in the Northwest - including supporting organizations, efforts, and projects that could lead to full marriage equality in Washington state, such as the Washington United for Marriage coalition. 'Pride Foundation is proud to play a leadership role in the Washington United for Marriage coalition,' said Hermanns. 'We know the issue of marriage equality is critical to many of our closest friends, family members, and loved ones.' 'It is incredible to be at the tipping point to make Washington the first state on the West Coast to recognize and maintain marriage equality,' she added. 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leverage the best of our 27 years of history and expertise to move the social barometer forward for LGBT people at a policy level.' 'We also know that where states embrace marriage equality the economic and social impacts serve to improve health indicators for LGBT people,' said Hermanns. 'Also, while marriage equality may not be a priority for everyone in the LGBT community, this campaign provides an opportunity to highlight other LGBT rights and issues in a deep and personal way. For instance, access to care for LGBT elders and Trans people, safe schools for LGBT youth, and employment protections for everyone in our community.' Since its inception, the Advocacy Fund has supported projects like research to identify LGBT-friendly voters for the Montana Human Rights Network; support of the Faith in Action Marriage Equality Initiative for Equal Rights Washington; shared legal expertise to assist in drafting the marriage equality legislation with Legal Voice; and support of story-collecting and sharing projects to build a strong and dependable block of equality-focused voters for Basic Rights Oregon. Examples of what future donations could be used for are passing a voter initiative in Alaska, ensuring basic legal protections to LGBTQ Anchoragites in employment, financial, housing, and retail practices; advance efforts in Montana focused on bringing a non-discrimination ordinance to the cities of Helena and Bozeman; support story-gathering to impact health policy for transgender people in Oregon; and replicate the successful passage of a non-discrimination ordinance in Sandpoint, Idaho, across the state. With work still to be done here in Washington, some might wonder why Pride Foundation uses money to support out-of-state causes. Hermanns told SGN that this is something Pride Foundation has always done. 'Pride Foundation was founded in 1985 as the Northwest LGBTQ community foundation serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington,' she explained. 'It has always been our goal to support transformative philanthropy, programs, and individuals that help people find joy and strength in who they are - and where they are.' 'With the expansion of our regional team last year, we have full-time staff in each state working closely with local donors, volunteers, grantees, and scholars to strengthen local communities,' she said. Through scholarships, grants, advocacy, and community leadership, Pride Foundation donors and volunteers are helping to transform communities and culture. 'Our work ripples through communities, inspiring equality at every point along the way,' said Hermanns. For more information about the Advocacy Fund, or to make a donation, visit the Pride Foundation Advocacy Fund at www.pridefoundation.org/advocacyfund. 'Our donors know a gift to Pride Foundation positively impacts our pursuit for LGBT equality,' concluded Hermanns. 'Their support not only makes a difference today, but also creates a philanthropic legacy of change that will endure for generations to come. The Advocacy Fund is just one of the many ways people can impact LGBT equality and see positive change in our lifetime.' |
next story | |
| Power = Pride Foundation's new Advocacy Fund ------------------------------
YES, $6 million wedding
Christie snubs Gregoire's letter, promises veto------------------------------
NEW PUBLIC POLICY POLL:
Washington voters would support marriage equality------------------------------
AIDS drug Tenofovir linked to kidney damage, new study says------------------------------
GSBA Business and Humanitarian Awards honor leadership, philanthropy------------------------------
We shall be free------------------------------
'I will not defend same-sex marriage ban,' says Hawaii governor
------------------------------
Prop 8 supporters appeal to full Ninth Circuit------------------------------
Maryland passes marriage equality bill, governor will sign it------------------------------
GLAAD approves of Roland Martin's on-air apology------------------------------
Suicide of a pundit: MSNBC fires Pat Buchanan------------------------------
One more time: DOMA is unconstitutional------------------------------
Tunisian official sparks Facebook war over Gay rights------------------------------
Liberia's president won't sign anti-Gay bill------------------------------
Trial begins in case of Rutgers student who filmed Gay roommate ------------------------------
------------------------------
BREAKING NEWS ------------------------------ ------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
Whitewashing Gay History------------------------------
Gay Marine's homecoming kiss goes viral------------------------------
Indian gov't clarifies it accepts gay sex is legal------------------------------ Gay marine, partner reflect on first kiss seen around the globe: 'The world went away for a few minutes' ------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
------------------------------
|
||