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Tipping Point Moment In this issue: For Fred Davie, joining the Arcus Foundation as senior director of Social Justice and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Programs is the culmination of decades of professional work and personal activism on behalf of the LGBT community.
Fred’s presence at Arcus comes at a critical time when the movement is near a tipping point moment. Recent significant Our mission federal policy changes and initiatives have given LGBT Americans The mission of the Arcus Foundation is to achieve protections they would have never thought possible just a few social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, years ago. gender identity and race, and to ensure conserva- Also in this issue, Steve Ross of the Lester Fisher Center for tion and respect of the great apes. the Study and Conservation of Apes at Lincoln Park Zoo discusses significant changes occurring in captive ape welfare. Sanctuaries, For more information on Arcus Foundation programs, researchers and policy makers are, for the first time ever, working please visit our Web site at www.arcusfoundation.org together in a coordinated, large-scale effort to improve primate protections here in the United States. Fred Davie TheT ime Is Now By Rebecca Steinitz The Arcus Foundation’s philosophy and Why have you decided to join Change conference in Atlanta. Shortly after priorities are guided by the belief that the Arcus at this time? that, Urvashi became a program officer at path to true equality for all LGBT people I have been involved in LGBT work since Ford, and we had the opportunity to work requires a particular emphasis on the 1986, when I came out and joined the together as colleagues. I’ve always had a intersections of LGBT rights, racial justice board of New York City’s Anti-Violence deep appreciation for her vision and her Tand societal constructs around faith and Project, which is dedicated to eliminating understanding of the web of social justice morality. That powerful perspective is hate violence against LGBT people. I’ve concerns that bind LGBT issues with fun- what made Fred Davie the logical choice served on other LGBT boards since then, damental social change causes like racial to be Arcus’ first Senior Director of Social and have been active in the community justice. Urvashi has the vision to “connect Justice and LGBT Programs. in a variety of ways. But I have also been the dots,” and that excites me. After I was Davie has not spent his life and career passionate about racial justice work and appointed to the Obama administration’s focusing exclusively on LGBT issues in the the power of progressive faith-based action. transition team, I talked to Urvashi about traditional sense. Instead, he has achieved In fact, that’s what I’ve spent most of my my feeling that LGBT issues are the next path-breaking success as an African-American career working on, from my earliest days major frontier in human rights, and told her gay man and ordained Presbyterian minister as a community organizer in Brooklyn to I wanted to be involved in that work full-time. who for decades has been on the forefront my more recent work at Public/Private Why now? of racial justice and progressive faith-based Ventures. Recently, I had the privilege of Part of what excites me now is that the causes. Most recently, he was president being invited to join President Obama’s movement stands on the verge of over- and chief executive officer of Public/Private Advisory Council on Faith-based and turning Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, getting a Ventures, a national, action-based research Neighborhood Partnerships. That’s been nondiscrimination bill through Congress, and evaluation institute that works to assess an exciting opportunity. But the Arcus and achieving other important goals. But and advance innovative social programs Foundation’s understanding of the inter- I’m also inspired by the change that has and policies – particularly those that connection between LGBT liberation, happened in this country over the past affect low-income and people-of-color racial justice and faith speaks to the very year. As an African-American gay man, it communities. Prior to joining P/PV eight core of who I am. So when this opportunity has been profoundly meaningful to me to years ago, he was a program officer for presented itself, I felt compelled to join the see Barack Obama – an African-American the Ford Foundation in Faith-based Arcus team. who talked throughout his campaign about Community Development. Last year, Davie The chance to work with a great lead- LGBT equality – be elected President. To me served on the Obama administration’s ership team headed by [Arcus Executive this sea change represents a new world of transition team; he is currently a member Director] Urvashi Vaid also was a big possibilities – that we really can start to of the President’s Advisory Council on attraction for me. While I was with the Ford tackle the interconnected issues that bedevil Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Foundation, I met Urvashi at a Creating our society in such fundamental ways. This seems like the chance of a life- The National Equality March of 2009 drew more than 200,000 to demand time to advance an agenda that bridges equal protection for LGBT people. LGBT issues and racial justice, and turn some of our faith communities from being barriers to LGBT progress into agents for positive social change. You’ve been in your new position for several weeks. What are you working on? I am studying Arcus’ history of giving in my program areas, and talking with my colleagues about ways to continue our giving and investments as we develop new ideas and approaches and explore opportunities for cross-program fertiliza- tion and cooperation. A chance to bridge LGBT issues, racial justice, faith and morality. 2 Our Racial Justice, Sexual Orientation & approach is to find the places where those What is the role of a foundation Gender Identity program and our Religion attitudes can be moved, and then work like Arcus in times, like these, of & Values program are a perfect example of to reform them. I know from personal social and economic turmoil and the type of “cross-pollination” I’m talking experience that it can be done. Religious political change? about. Faith institutions within communities institutions, for the most part, are the Our role is to understand that many of of color, especially the African-American last of the traditional institutions to hold the most fundamental social and economic community, played a major role in the moral inequality of LGBT people issues have a profound impact on the advancing the civil rights agenda. Now, as official policy. As someone who is LGBT community, and to leverage those we want to explore the opportunities for ordained and who studied for four years connections to build powerful coalitions people of color, in particular historically in a seminary and divinity school, I that advance a shared agenda of equality African-American denominations, to work think that the biblical and theological and empowerment across communities. with LGBT organizations to advance LGBT justifications for the thinking of many From my experience, this is the way real rights. At the same time, we’re exploring denominations that are hostile to sustainable progress is made, be it locally ways in which LGBT-focused organizations LGBT people are simply flawed. These or nationally. At one level, economic and institutions can engage on issues that justifications are smokescreens for bias, hardship knows no sexuality. But for LGBT are important to immigrants and people and because these are smokescreens, people and people of color, this hardship of color, such as employment and health I believe they can be overcome in is exacerbated by wage discrimination care. Historically, we’ve seen that it’s this strategically chosen sectors of faith that reduces income and limits savings kind of bridging of linked issues that brings communities. There are leaders within all and wealth. The LGBT movement has about sustainable and meaningful change. denominations and faiths who support an important role to play in seeing the On the international side, we want to pro-LGBT theological and biblical positions. links and acting on them. Some of that is facilitate collaboration between LGBT rights We need to give those leaders the support about the basics, like getting Congress to organizations in the United States and they need to advance their positions enact employment protections for LGBT emerging LGBT organizations in places like within their faith communities, as exem- people. But that’s the beginning, not the the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Southern plified by the success of Arcus’ Religion end. The larger issues affect everyone, Africa and East Africa. I recently returned & Values program in supporting pro-LGBT and the LGBT movement has an important from a trip to Nairobi, where I met with Episcopalians and Lutherans. role to play in proposing solutions that LGBT activists from Uganda, Kenya, President Obama’s inauguration will have a positive impact on not only our Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, at a last January felt like the triumph community but on the world as a whole. gathering organized by Arcus’ International of ideals that many of us cherish. Arcus must invest in opportunities for LGBT Rights director Carla Sutherland. What is your sense of how things LGBT people and our allies to encourage The meeting participants strategized are going? institutions, both public and private, to about coordinating a regional approach Despite the difficult economic situation, adopt practices and policies that will be to addressing LGBT issues, both in the I think it still looks very promising for beneficial for all of us. countries represented and in the region LGBT people, for poor people, for people as a whole. While in Nairobi I met LGBT Rebecca Steinitz is a writer, editor and nonprofit who live at society’s margins. For example, consultant in Arlington, Massachusetts. activists with the most extraordinary President Obama signed federal LGBT- courage – people who are pushing for inclusive hate crimes legislation into law, change in profoundly homophobic countries Arcus LGBT Program Team Leaders and there have been a number of other with draconian laws that make it a serious policy changes made by the US Dept. n Fred Davie, Senior Director, crime to be LGBT. I was struck by the of Housing and Urban Development and Social Justice and LGBT Programs thought that some of these activists – many n US Dept. of Health and Human Services Trishala Deb, Program Officer, of them young people – might be impris- National LGBT Rights Program specifically addressing the needs of LGBT oned or worse by the time of my next n Johnny Jenkins, Program Officer, people. I continue to believe that once trip to the region. I’m extremely proud of Michigan LGBT Rights Program health care is passed—and I think it will Arcus for having the vision to stand with n Tom Kam, Deputy Director, be passed—the administration will put these brave activists and support their work. LGBT Programs / Director, their efforts into other issues that are Religion & Values Program How do you reconcile the hostility of important to us. It’s our job as funders n Roz Lee, Senior Program Officer, so many religions and religious insti- of key organizations in the movement to Racial Justice, Sexual Orientation tutions toward the gay community? make sure they do – to leave them with & Gender Identity Program I don’t reconcile it. I think the right no alternative. n Cindy Rizzo, Senior Director, Grantmaking and Evaluation n Carla Sutherland, Director, A chance to bridge LGBT issues, racial justice, faith and morality. International LGBT Rights Program 3 By S. R. Ross Lester Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago The Chimpanzee Paradox T
Center for Great Apes residents socialize and explore the 100-acre sanctuary by traveling through an elevated tunnel system connected to the enclosures. Approximately 6,000 apes live in zoos, sanctuaries, laboratories and in private ownership, including within the entertainment industry, across America and Europe.
Center for Pongo (b. 1990) Pongo, a mixed Bornean/ , Wauchula, Florida Great Apes Sumatran orangutan, started Arcus grantee the Center for Great Apes’ his life at a tourist attraction. mission is to provide a permanent sanctuary With no opportunity for place- ment in an accredited zoo, for orangutans and chimpanzees that have finding a permanent home for been retired from the entertainment industry Pongo was founder Patti Ragan’s or research laboratories, or who are no longer inspiration for establishing the wanted as pets. The Center provides the great Center for Great Apes sanctuary. apes profiled here, among many others, with a safe, healthy and enriching place in which to live out their lives with dignity. 4 5 The story of chimpanzees is a story of of a smiling Travis hawking cola and circumstances: as pets, performers and paradoxes. As our closest living relatives, khakis bombarded TV viewers. biomedical subjects, as well as housed in chimpanzees tend to provoke feelings of The same questions surfaced again zoos and sanctuaries. Their complex cog- kinship and curiosity as much as, or more and again in the media’s coverage of the nitive nature and high social needs make than, the fear and respect that they, as event: How could such a thing happen? them prone to behavioral and develop- Twild animals, deserve. But through a long How could this mild-mannered pet and mental deficiencies if raised in unnatural history of field studies in Africa, we know performer suddenly snap and nearly kill conditions. And because chimpanzees as much about their territoriality and an innocent woman? bred and sold commercially are often aggressiveness as we do of their extraor- Chimpanzees are, of course, highly taken from their mothers at an extremely dinary caring and gentle nature. Unfor- complex beings, capable of a wide range early age, they often have attachment tunately, because of the impact of media of emotions and motivations. However, disorders, difficulties adjusting to new portrayals and advertising, chimpanzees they have evolved for millions of years in circumstances, and trouble integrating are as likely viewed as frivolous human social settings that naturally foster strong with other chimpanzees. It’s a steep price caricatures than as the fascinating and dominance instincts. That Travis, a wild to pay for the few short years they are highly endangered species they truly are. animal kept as a pet and performer in manageable as pets or performers. These contradictions in the way the highly unnatural conditions, shed his But there is hope for the future. The public perceives chimpanzees came to a faux-human veneer and acted on his tragedy of the Travis incident and the head on a gloomy February afternoon in aggressive impulses begs the question attention surrounding it have positively 2009 in the small Connecticut town- “Why not sooner?” rather than simply influenced legislative changes protect- ship of Stamford. Travis, a chimpanzee “Why?” ing the great apes. Both Connecticut who appeared to have enjoyed the life The tragic events surrounding the and Oregon recently passed state laws of a celebrity, and whose vitae boasted attack revitalized issues of chimpanzee banning the ownership of primates appearances on nationally syndicated care and welfare in a very public and such as chimpanzees, and the Cap- television shows and prominent advertis- visceral way. But for many years before, tive Primate Safety Act, prohibiting the ing campaigns, attacked and severely experts and advocates had been strug- interstate commercial trade of prohibited injured a friend of his owner. Travis was gling with these issues and working on wildlife species such as chimpanzees, shot and killed by local police. News of strategies to improve the care of captive was passed by the United States House this tragic event spread quickly around chimpanzees. of Representatives just eight days after the world, and alternating images of The challenges are vast. Chimpan- the incident. Travis himself, who was gruesome violence and archival footage zees exist in a broad array of captive purchased from an animal dealer in Approximately 6,000 apes live in zoos, sanctuaries, laboratories and in private ownership, including within the entertainment industry, across America and Europe.
Grub (b. 1991) Born in Los Angeles at an animal trainer’s compound, Grub was pulled from his mother and sold to a Florida tourist attraction when he was only a few months old. Now at his permanent home in Wauchula, Grub is a young adult male and the undisputed head of his group.
5 Missouri before being moved to Connecti- who are currently privately owned? influence public attitudes. cut, would have benefited from this law Today, sanctuaries, researchers and Although unraveling the many had it been in place before he was sold. policy makers are working together in a paradoxes of chimpanzees and chimpanzee- Estimates of the number of privately coordinated, large-scale effort to come up related issues is challenging and owned chimpanzees range widely, but with strategies to improve the welfare of sometimes frustrating, there is room for data from sanctuary leaders put the chimpanzees housed in zoos, sanctuaries optimism. Like-minded organizations figure around 250 in the US, which is and laboratories, as well as those owned are working together, using empirical close to the number of chimpanzees liv- privately as pets and performers. Thanks methods to influence the development of ing in accredited zoos. Another positive to their progressive thinking, there is a future policy, and strategically planning consequence of the Travis incident is renewed effort to address these issues. methods to increase sanctuary capacity the growing number of requests to move A new initiative, Project ChimpCARE and sustainability. These initiatives are chimpanzees to respected sanctuaries (Communication, Advocacy, Research all gaining momentum and promising to such as the Center for Great Apes in and Education) based at Lincoln Park create a better future for all chimpanzees, Wauchula, Fla., which currently houses Zoo in Chicago, has received Arcus regardless of their current circumstances. ex-pet and ex-performer apes. But like Foundation funding to meet many of Steve Ross, M.A., is the Supervisor of Behavioral chimpanzees themselves, this issue is these challenges head on. Working with and Cognitive Research at the Lester E. Fisher more complex than it first appears. representatives from the scientific, animal Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Chimpanzees require very specialized protection and sanctuary communities, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago care and housing, and they live a long Project ChimpCARE aims to quantify the time, sometimes into their 60s. That number of chimpanzees living as pets, as Arcus Great Apes Program means that the lifetime cost to care performers and in unaccredited settings, Team Leaders for one chimpanzee may approach and to characterize the care and housing n Annette Lanjouw $1 million. Adding to the challenge is of those individuals. Senior Director, Great Apes the fact that sanctuary space is now at This information, once collected, will Program / Director, UK Office a premium, and there is virtually no room play a key role in arming future legisla- n Linda May tion and policy on these important issues. at accredited zoos. The “250 million Senior Program Officer, dollar question” is this: Even if we could Associated public education initiatives Great Apes Program convince everyone that private ownership will parallel the scientific efforts of the n Helga Rainer of chimpanzees is not a good idea, where project, and expand on our understanding Program Officer, Great Apes Program could we place the 250 chimpanzees of how media portrayals of chimpanzees Approximately 6,000 apes live in zoos, sanctuaries, laboratories and in private ownership, including within the entertainment industry, across America and Europe.
Sammy (b. 1989) and Geri (b. 1989) Sammy and Geri were used frequently in the entertainment industry, and seen in numer- ous commercials, television programs and the movies. When Sammy became too strong and dangerous to work, he was retired to a small cage at a trainer’s compound where he was used for breeding. They arrived at the Center for Great Apes in 2004 and now are cared for within the sanctuary’s natural setting.
6 Chimpanzees and other apes exist in a broad array of captive circumstances: as pets, performers and biomedical subjects, as well as housed in zoos and sanctuaries.
Where are they? Figure 1: Number and percentage of apes according to captive criteria n Biomedical laboratories (government and private) (Europe and the US) n Research institutions (behavioral and cognitive research) n Zoological collections (registered and non-registered) 5.5% (333) 22.5% (1327) n Entertainment/ Sanctuaries Biomedical research private ownership n Entertainment sector (films, television, advertisements, photographers’ props, circuses and carnivals) 14.8% (875) Sanctuary 0.4% (23) n Private ownership (breeding facilities, pets) Cognitive/behavioral research
How many are there? 56.8% (3348) n Approximately 6,000 apes live in zoos, sanctuaries, Zoo laboratories and in private ownership, including within the entertainment industry, across America and Europe (Figures 1 & 2) n More than 50 percent live in zoos Figure 2: Number and percentage of apes in captivity n Nearly a quarter live in biomedical research facilities (Europe and the US) n More than half are chimpanzees 3% (152) n These figures do not account for all types of facilities, Bonobo such as private labs and those in other forms of private 18% (1067) ownership, as statistics are difficult to obtain Gibbon n Worldwide figures would at least double total figures 55% (3303) Chimpanzee for apes living in captivity 14% (817) Gorilla
10% (567) These figures estimated by the Arcus Foundation as part Orangutan of an in-house survey.
Approximately 6,000 apes live in zoos, sanctuaries, laboratories and in private ownership, including within the entertainment industry, across America and Europe.
Knuckles (b. 1999) Knuckles arrived at the Center for Great Apes from a California entertainment compound when he was only two years old. Signifi- cantly disabled by cerebral palsy, early tests suggested that he was not likely to improve. However, while at the Center, Knuckles has made steady progress despite the challenges of his disabilities. It is clear that he benefits from interactions with other chimpanzees as well as the staff, volunteers and visitors.
7 Please welcome the following Arcus Foundation E Board of Directors new staff members to the Jon L. Stryker Arcus team: President and Founder, Arcus Foundation n Kerry Ashforth, Grants Management Cathy J. Cohen Associate Formerly program officer, Professor of Political Science and Deputy New York Council for the Humanities Provost for Graduate Education, and American Express Foundation. University of Chicago n Fred Davie, Senior Director, Social Daniel Schwartz Justice and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and CEO, Dynamica, Inc. Transgender Programs Formerly president Darren Walker and chief executive officer, Public/Private Vice President, Foundation Initiatives, Ventures. Read more in our cover story. The Rockefeller Foundation n Trishala Deb, Program Officer, National Urvashi Vaid LGBT Rights Program Formerly program Executive Director, Arcus Foundation coordinator, Training and Resource Center, Audre Lorde Project. Arcus Foundation / Kalamazoo Office n Melvin Jung, Accountant Formerly 402 East Michigan Avenue accountant, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 Amnesty International USA. Phone 269.373.4373 n Helga Rainer, Program Officer, Great Fax 269.373.0277 Apes Program Formerly senior program [email protected] The Episcopal Church turned an important officer, African Wildlife Foundation and corner at its recent General Convention, regional policy advisor, International Arcus Foundation / New York Office affirming the call to ministry to all members Gorilla Conservation Program. 119 West 24th Street, 9th Floor of their community and for moving forward on n Gordon Singh, Controller Formerly director New York, New York 10011 equality for the blessing of same-sex unions. of finance, Amnesty International USA. Phone 212.488.3000 n Kristine Stallone, Chief Financial Officer Fax 212.488.3010 Formerly controller of Americas and [email protected] Visit the news page global functional teams, Bloomberg LP. n Marie Stevenson, Program Assistant, Arcus Foundation / Cambridge, UK Office of our Web site to read Great Apes Program Formerly project Wellington House, East Road about other policy administrator, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1BH, United Kingdom Cambridge. Phone +44.1223.451.050 turning points. [email protected]
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