2010-2011 Gratitude Report (PDF)
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Love. Laugh. Lead. 2010-2011 GRATITUDE REPORT | PRIDE FOUNDATION 2010–2011 GRATITUDE REPORT 1 For over a quarter century, Pride Foundation has believed that the only way to thrive and make the most of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. Because of unwavering support from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, Pride Foundation has made many strides and won game-changing victories for equal rights. As our work expands and momentum builds across the Northwest, change has lead to growth. And as we grow, we are profoundly grateful to all of our supporters for providing opportunities to love, laugh and lead. 2010–2011 GRATITUDE REPORT 2 2010-2011 GRATITUDE REPORT - FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT We have been inspired by so many individuals and organizations who shared their memories and stories, challenges and triumphs. With an expanded staff presence across the Northwest, we have been particularly excited to listen one-on-one, and engage new friends and supporters: a mother who lost a son to AIDS and turned her pain into action volunteering at a health clinic; a scholar who spearheaded the creation of a gay-straight-alliance to combat bullying on her campus; and a photographer whose work shares the diversity and beauty of our community are just some of the people we’ve been honored to work alongside. This past spring, after guiding Pride Foundation for more than ten years, our cherished Executive Director, Audrey Haberman, started a new position at Philanthropy Northwest. Audrey was instrumental in building the strong and vibrant community foundation we all love. With tenacity, thoughtfulness and great humor, Audrey represented the very best of Pride Foundation’s values. Thank you, Audrey. Since the beginning of Pride Foundation, our greatest strength and inspiration has been you —each of you adding your voice, wishes, momentum and commitment to the movement for full LGBTQ rights. For many decades to come, your support will allow us to build a thriving, bold and cohesive LGBTQ community together. The future certainly brings more exciting change: the welcoming of a new Executive Director, the opportunity to provide resources to more scholars and grantees, and significant changes to legal protections, rights and opportunities for LGBTQ people and their families. I am honored and ecstatic to know that through the coming decades, we will joyfully explore and connect our greater Northwest community in pursuit of equality for every person and every family. Thank you for the many ways that you bring full equality closer every day. With Pride, Joyce Allen Board President 2009–2011 2010–2011 GRATITUDE REPORT 3 When Old Lesbians Meet In their 2010 grant report, Puget 200 women attended hailing from throughout Sound Old Lesbians Organiza- the Northwest and as far away as Minnesota, tion for Change (OLOC) apolo- Texas and Arkansas. Women gathered to share gized for the lengthy report but stories, bring visibility to issues that matter to confessed they had no choice because the lesbians and to have fun. group had learned so much over the year. The impact of the conference was The purpose of the grant was to collect and immeasurable. “I can’t even express…how preserve stories of old lesbians, and to wonderful this experience was for a woman organize the 2011 Northwest Regional who wasn’t looking forward to growing much Gathering of Old Lesbians. older, much less old,” wrote one conference Without experience in planning large scale volunteer. “The opportunity to hear women conferences, the women of Puget Sound OLOC rejoicing their lives and each other’s was so were at first hesitant when the National OLOC overwhelming—I’ll have their voices running group asked them to organize and host a re- in my head forever.” gional conference. However, after months of Aging in the LGBTQ community is topic that planning including a venue search, conference “The opportunity to hear women we need to talk about more. The conference program development and lots of outreach, the and work of Puget Sound OLOC is connecting conference took place in Tacoma, Washington in rejoicing their lives and each other’s a part of our community that often lacks July —it was a huge success! was so overwhelming—I’ll have their visibility and support. Grantees like Puget The original hope was that 65-75 locals would Sound OLOC remind us that our diverse voices running in my head forever.” attend. But with a huge response, more than LGBTQ community is vibrant and resilient. Emilie Jackson-Edney Born male, Pride Foundation volunteer a deacon in a fundamentalist Christian church, Emilie Jackson-Edney of Boise lived served in the military, and worked 37 years as a her life as a man until she decided at supervisor in civil engineering design and con- age 55 to transition gender and live her struction management. She transitioned gender life as the woman she really is and has while on-the-job during her last year of employ- identified as since early childhood. ment prior to retiring in 2005. For many years, Emilie didn’t deviate from the Emilie found peace and a sense of well-being status quo expectations of a male in society. in her new identity, as well as a renewed She married, fathered two children, served as sense of purpose. Her transformation 2010–2011 GRATITUDE REPORT 4 opened her eyes to previously unseen Emilie is a proud Pride Foundation volunteer Emilie believes that Pride Foundation human and civil rights discrimination. She who participates on the Idaho scholarship and lobbies state legislators to amend the grant committees. She serves on the Idaho shares her passion, vision and values Idaho Human Rights Act to include gender Leadership Action Team and the 5-State Gover- identity and sexual orientation protections nance Committee. As a volunteer, she nurtures in working toward the hopeful dream in employment, and lobbied Congress in young people to become our future leaders and of full equality. 2009 for the passage of the Hate Crimes role models. She believes that Pride Foundation Prevention Act and the Employment Non- shares her passion, vision and values in working Discrimination Act. toward the hopeful dream of full equality. Tiffany Testifies Victory: In February, the Univer- who have heard of Pride Foundation know sity of Alaska Board of Regents us as the organization that gives grants and voted to include “sexual orienta- scholarships to LGBTQ and allied students, but tion” in their nondiscrimination Pride Foundation’s vision is something greater policy by a vote of 8 to 2 — than a scholarship program alone. a critical step forward for To be consistent with our vision, we find LGBTQ rights in Alaska. ways to advocate on behalf of students by “It’s long overdue,” said Amada Arredondo, a collaborating with and urging educational senior in the University of Alaska Anchorage’s institutions like the University of Alaska to Department of Social Work. “LGBTQ people create a safe and supported environment don’t feel safe in the university and this is the in which all students—LGBTQ/gay and first step.” straight—can achieve academic success and With campuses all over the state of Alaska, this personal growth. change in policy will protect approximately While a nondiscrimination policy in and of We find ways to advocate on behalf 33,000 students and 7,000 employees from itself does not prevent discrimination, it is an discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. important start. With this standard in place the of students by collaborating with and Board of Regents helped create an environ- Tiffany McClain, Pride Foundation’s Regional urging educational institutions like Development Organizer in Alaska, was one of ment in which students, faculty, and staff will dozens of students, faculty, and community feel safe enough to do the rest of the work the University of Alaska to create a members to testify over the course of the two- necessary to make the University of Alaska a day meeting. Most students and educators truly inclusive environment for everyone. safe and supported environment. 2010–2011 GRATITUDE REPORT 5 Youth Empowerment in Montana Last year, Montana’s In addition to training youth to facilitate my comfort zone and it allows me to speak out National Coalition Building Preventing Violence workshops for their about my life and help others.” Institute (NCBI) received a peers, NCBI launched Youth Forward. Youth In an effort to reduce prejudice and violence, Pride Foundation grant to Forward is the first LGBTQ youth support NCBI has provided workshops to more than improve the safety of group in Missoula with participants living in 1,780 youth in 17 schools across Montana. In Montana schools for LGBTQ and allied youth. and around Missoula attending public and the last year, NCBI trained 500 Montana edu- LGBTQ youth issues gained national attention Catholic schools. cators with skills to prevent anti-gay bullying in the last year with the suicides of several and strategies to create safer schools. young people. As heartbreaking as this news “Before NCBI my life sucked—NCBI pulled has been, it’s a somber reminder that our me out of a cycle of depression, self-loathing, Thanks to grantees like NCBI, Montana’s community must continue to support and continuous judgment of others,” says one LGBTQ and allied youth have a place to be organizations that are providing programs 16-year-old Youth Forward participant. “NCBI themselves, and a place that encourages them for LGBTQ youth. has given me the confidence to step outside to make change in their local communities. “NCBI pulled me out of a cycle of depression, self-loathing, and continuous judgment of others.