Pride Foundation

Are Our LGBTQ and Allied Youth Safe?

Gay Straight Alliances and “Safe Spaces” Forum on May 5

In the groundbreaking film “Bully” a young lesbian living in a small southern town comes out to her family, school, and friends. She then finds she is no longer welcome in her church, her classrooms, and even in the homes of many of her friends. She is strong, charismatic, and convinced she can single-handedly change the world. When her father offers to move the family to another town in order to stop the bullying she experiences, she exclaims, “I won’t leave, because that will mean they win!”

This brave young girl was all alone; luckily we have a chance to give support and guidance to people in her circumstances.

Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) have played a significant role in addressing LGBTQ bullying in America. In Spokane, WA, community organizations and local leaders are hosting a forum on GSAs and safe spaces in high schools on May 5 at Washington State University and Eastern Washington University Riverpoint Campus.

It takes more than one person to create change, and with the loving and caring support of friends, family and community, together we can begin to make a difference and impact the lives of others. Pride Foundation, along with donors and volunteers, are accomplishing this through grants and scholarships as well as working alongside community organizations and individuals who want to create LGBTQ equality.

Information on attending is below. We are proud to be a partner in this forum and hope to see you there!

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Forum on Gay Straight Alliances and “Safe Spaces” in Our High Schools

Saturday, May 5 from 1:00-4:00pm

WSU/EWU Riverpoint Campus
Student Academic Center Room 20
600 North Riverpoint Boulevard in Spokane, Washington

Educators, parents, students, non-profit and community leaders, and interested citizens are all invited to participate in this important discussion about creating Gay Straight Alliances (GSA’s) and “Safe Spaces” in our high schools as part of a commitment to social justice, equality, and acceptance for all students.

The forum will:
1.    Describe how GSA’s and “Safe Spaces” strengthen a school community; define and describe the landscape of GSA’s and “Safe Spaces” within our school system as it pertains to our LGBTQ youth and their experiences; and address the hurdles to creating GSA’s and “Safe Spaces.”
2.    Discuss and develop action steps that will support and guide high school administration and staff in the creation of a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students and allies.
3.    Increase and strengthen collaboration between community-based organizations working to advocate for and support the creation of GSA’s and “Safe Spaces.”

To register for the forum, click here.

For more information contact:
Ian Sullivan, Odyssey Youth Center – Email or 509-325-3637

Farand Gunnels, Pride Foundation – Email or 509-481-0402

The GSA Forum is sponsored by:
Community Building Foundation, Destinations, Eastern Washington University Pride Center, Greater Spokane Progress, Inland Northwest Business Alliance (INBA), Inland Northwest LGBT Center, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, Pride Foundation, Odyssey Youth Center, OutSpokane, and Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP).

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Farand Gunnels is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Eastern Washington. Email Farand.

Conversations Matter: Talking Marriage Equality in Spokane

Marriage equality supporters march to Spokane City Hall

After a rainbow-fueled community march to Spokane City Hall, a marathon of marriage equality testimony took place Monday night in Spokane’s City Council chambers. Proponents of marriage equality were hoping to pass a resolution for the city to support the state marriage equality law. Sadly, council elected to block the vote thus tabling the city’s marriage equality resolution indefinitely.

Councilman Jon Snyder, who was working to pass the resolution, shared his disappointment on his blog on Tuesday:

Last night the Council did something I’ve never seen either in my years of being on the Council or observing Spokane politics: the majority of the Council (members Fagan, McLaughlin, Salvatori, and Allen) blocked a simple up or down vote on the Marriage Equality resolution after four and half hours of public testimony. Originally Councilmember Fagan tried to force a vote that would have blocked all public testimony, but when that failed the measure was essentially killed by being tabled indefinitely. Two Councilmembers, Salvatori and Allen, who had previously stated their support for Marriage Equality voted against it.

After going through all that do I have any regrets about bringing this resolution forward? None at all. I would do it again in a heartbeat. With over 300 people packing the Council chambers to testify it was clear that Marriage Equality is a very important issue for many people in Spokane.

I feel strongly that marriage is love, commitment, and responsibility. Through testimony we were presented with two very clear visions for our city. On the one hand folks described an “America in decline” and a city filled with “perverts” who were “weakening our morals” to promote “communism” because gays and lesbians don’t belong in a “family-friendly city” and should not “undermine traditional marriage.” (I am not making this up. Check the tape. All these things were said last night.) On the other hand we heard amazing stories of love, perseverance, and community.

I learned a lot. Some of the stories were incredibly moving:

- An African-American professor showed pictures of her parents and her brother and his caucasian wife. She made the point that African Americans were not allowed to marry as slaves and as recently as the 1960s interacial marriages were against the law. She wondered aloud how long she would have to wait to be legally married in the United States.

- There were many former members of the armed forces who testified, including the stunningly eloquent Margaret Witt. All of these folks had to serve all or most of the their careers under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, where they put their lives on the line for a country that won’t allow them to get married. World War II veteran Buell Hollister, (who has been happily married to his wife for over 50 years) even voiced support for the resolution saying his mother taught him not to be prejudiced.

- Towards the end of testimony around 11:15PM a very large gentleman who claimed to be a minister to the homeless started chanting “gays will never get into heaven, gays will never get into heaven.” An extremely brave young student from North Central High School, who had waited all night, followed that display by giving testimony about the taunts and bullying he received in school. He further added that he had “begged his mom” to move back to Spokane after they had moved to Seattle because he wanted to get married someday and live in his hometown.

And their were many more. This was a community conversation that needed to happen. It brought out so many folks that had never been to a Council meeting before. Many had to leave because of the lateness of the hour and were not able to testify. When the Council finally deliberated even Councilmembers who were against the resolution offered testimony showing that the issue affected our community. Councilmember McLaughlin said “Do you like my hair? My hairdresser is gay.” Then she voted against Marriage Equality for her hairdresser.

The outpouring of support for Marriage Equality was truly inspiring. I want to thank everyone who worked so hard on the resolution, and especially my fellow Councilmembers Stuckart and Waldref who did a great job last night. I am especially impressed with the general civility of the dialogue last night. That speaks well of the City of Spokane. I believe that most people on both sides of the issue loved their city and that informed their position.

Take courage everyone. This isn’t over.

(From http://councilmanjonsnyder.com/?p=1736)

Councilman Snyder is right. Though the council’s decision is disappointing, I’m proud that these conversation are happening in Spokane and throughout Washington State.

As we marched down the sidewalk towards the Spokane City Hall, in anticipation of the final outcome of the council’s vote, we began chanting while waving rainbow flags and signs in support of marriage equality, love, commitment, and family. The passer-byers showed their support by honking horns and gave thumbs-up out their windows, which left a feeling of community support.

Public support for allowing same-sex couples to marry has grown significantly over the past few years, with multiple national polls showing that a majority of Americans now support marriage equality. This growing support has followed years of important public and private conversations about marriage for same-sex couples. These conversations have helped people who may have been conflicted in the past become supportive of marriage for loving, committed couples.

To learn more about marriage equality in Washington visit www.washingtonunitedformarriage.org. Farand Gunnels is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Eastern Washington.

Spokane is Marching On: Marriage Equality and City Resolution

Spokane City Hall

On Monday, April 16, 2012 Pride Foundation will join with Westminster UCC, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, Destinations of Spokane and many other marriage equality supporters in a march from Westminster UCC down to City Hall where there will be a vote on a city resolution in support of marriage equality.

To express support for marriage equality in Washington State, a week long march was held in February 2012 from Vancouver to Olympia. This inspired Suzy Halberstadt, who is involved with PJALS, Westminster UCC and Destinations of Spokane, to organize a Love for All March in Spokane to coincide with a city council meeting where council members will vote on a city resolution in support of marriage equality.

Suzy, originally from California and was there when Prop 8 passed, to her horror and disbelief.  After moving to Spokane in early 2009 when Ref 71 came up, she decided to do everything in her power to not let happen here what happened in California.

“I believe marriage…should not be exclusionary. I also feel that it is especially important for our voices here in Eastern Washington to be heard. Passing the Marriage Equality Resolution through city council will provide a loud voice for those who see Eastern Washington as a bastion of conservative values.”

Shar Lichty, of Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, shares how you can make an impact and show your support for marriage equality.

“We need to show strong community support to make this happen. We need supporters to join us for the march and to fill the Spokane City Council chambers. All individuals who attend the council meeting can sign in to indicate that they are in support of the resolution. We also encourage those who are willing to testify to the council on why marriage equality matters to them to do so during the public comment portion.”

Join us as we strengthen the campaign in Spokane to allow loving, committed couples who want to make a lifelong promise to take care of and be responsible for each other, in good times and bad.

Event information is as follows:

Love for All March for Marriage Equality and Spokane City Council Resolution

Monday, April 16, 2012

5:00 p.m. – Westminster UCC, 411 S Washington St, Spokane, WA

6:00 p.m. – City Hall, 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA

If you are unable to join us, you can still play an important role in the City of Spokane adopting a resolution in support of marriage equality by contacting council members.

Ben Stuckart, City Council President At Large, [email protected]

Amber Waldref, City Council Member, District, [email protected]

Mike Fagan, City Council Member, District 1, [email protected]

Jon Snyder, City Council Member, District 2, [email protected]

Mike Allen, City Council Member, District 2, [email protected]

Steve Salvatori, City Council Member, District 3, [email protected]​

Nancy McLaughlin, City Council Member, District 3, [email protected]​g

If you have any questions or would like more information about this event, please contact Shar at [email protected].

Farand Gunnels is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Eastern Washington. Email Farand.

Get Lit! Announces Headlining Author Keith Boykin!

Keith Boykin, Get Lit!'s Headlining Author

Get Lit! Programs – a non-profit within Eastern Washington University that seeks to engage our diverse Inland Northwest community in reading, writing and literacy -  holds an annual literary festival every spring that draws over 10,000 people from the Inland Northwest and beyond.

This year, Get Lit! is proud to present its headlining author, Keith Boykin!

The headlining author is hosted by Spokane Community College’s President’s Speaker Series and the Hagan Foundation Center for the Humanities, in partnership with Get Lit! with additional support provided by Pride Foundation and the EWU Pride Center.

Boykin is the editor of The Daily Voice online news site, a CNBC contributor, a BET TV host, and a New York Times best-selling author of four books. His books have each been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, including his third book, Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies and Denial in Black America. Boykin won the Lambda Literary Award for his second book, Respecting The Soul, while his first book, One More River to Cross, is taught in colleges and universities throughout the country. His most recent book, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough: Personal Writings about Confronting Life’s Obstacles and Believing in Yourself, was released in March 2012. It responds to the crisis of youth development and suicide in the black community, specifically among young gay men of color.

On Wednesday, April 11, Boykin will speak about “Race, Gender and Presidential Politics,” and will be available for book signing after his talk. His reading will be held at Spokane Community College’s Lair Auditorium, 1810 N. Greene St., Building 6 at 7 p.m.

The following morning, Thursday, April 12, Mr. Boykin will participate in a moderated question-and-answer session at SCC’s Hagan Foundation Center for the Humanities, Building 16, 2^nd Floor at 9:30 a.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

You can read Keith Boykin’s bio page or check out this video.

In addition to Keith Boykin, the Get Lit! festival will feature more than 50 events, including author presentations and readings, writing workshops, panel discussions, poetry slams and more. A complete list of participating authors and events is available on the Get Lit! website at  or check out the latest news on their blog.

Get Lit!

Most of the events are free to the public. For ticketed events, a festival pass will get you into all headlining events for only $45 and can be purchased at TicketsWest outlets, by phoning 1.800.325.SEAT, or visiting www.ticketswest.com.

Note: Students are able to get a free ticket with their to all festival events. Student tickets are available at their college bookstores or at the door of the event – Student ID required!

Farand is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Eastern Washington. Email Farand.

Oscar Night Gala: Spokane AIDS Network’s Impact

Volunteers dressed as Oscar statues, and "Shirley Temple" greet attendees

This year Pride Foundation was proud to sponsor Spokane AID Network’s (SAN) 14th Annual Oscar Night Gala that took place on February 26th at Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Guests were treated to an elegant plated dinner and had the opportunity to bid on live and silent auction items while enjoying the live telecast of the Academy Awards.

I was curious what this event meant to someone who attended as client of SAN and how the fundraiser impacts the work and programs that SAN offers. I had the pleasure and honor to speak with Chris Baber, a volunteer and client of SAN, who attended the Oscar Night Gala.

Chris Baber moved to Spokane, WA from Arizona in 2007 and has been a client of the Spokane AIDS Network (SAN) since 2008.  SAN is a community based, non-profit agency dedicated to minimizing the impact of, and maximizing awareness about, AIDS and other consequences of HIV infection on communities and individuals in the Inland Northwest.

In addition to being a client, Chris volunteered with SAN for two years – up until a few months ago – as a cook in their kitchen where they provide hot meals for clients who drop in. Although Chris no longer volunteers for SAN, he continues to stay connected and involved and tries to keep in touch with many of the clients who are still there.

Chris attended SAN’s Oscar Night Gala, along with over 270 other guests dressed in tuxes and gowns. This event is SAN’s largest fundraiser and brings in roughly $15,000 – $20,000. I asked Chris how he thought the event went this year and he replied, “I thought it went really well and I think we had good participation. However, I don’t think that we made as much with the auction stuff as we have in the years past. I think part of that is because a lot of people are strapped for money, but I still think we did pretty well.” Funds received from this event helps keep SAN programs running and doors open.

Because of state budget cuts, many of the programs SAN offered have disappeared. This makes the Oscar Night Gala, along with other fundraisers SAN hosts, crucial in bringing in funds that help support the work and programs that are still offered. “I would probably still be lost if I didn’t have such a good case manager and the good programs.” Chris continued, “The most beneficial part is the Pantry program that they do twice a month.”  The Pantry program is unique in that clients have a choice of selecting 1-2 items from 10 grocery categories with multiple choices in each category to receive. In this way, clients take only the food they will eat. While clients are waiting for their selected items to be bagged, they are served a nice meal to enjoy. “Through the pantry, I receive food twice a month. Lately, because of hard times, it been the only food [in the house] we’ve had.”

All decked out for the occasion

SAN offers a wide variety of programs including Case Management, Treatment and Adherence, Medical Model, the Pantry Program, Emergency Food Support, INMx, HIV Testing and Counseling, and Advocacy. These programs are essential to the clients they serve. As Chris puts it, “They’ve helped me immensely. Donations and fundraisers are a big part of keeping these programs open. We appreciate everything we get.”

 SAN is a 501(c) (3) community-based organization serving HIV positive clients in our community since 1985. To learn more about them and other fundraising events, visit them online.

 Farand Gunnels is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Eastern Washington. Email Farand.

A Pride Foundation Board Member Returns Home

Tamara and Rachel Valdez

It’s been over 20 years since I left my home town of Billings, Montana. At that time I was still in the “closet” to my friends and family. I didn’t know any other gay people nor did I have any gay role models. After high school I heard rumors about a gay bar. This place was in the middle of nowhere and miles from town. Square dancing during the week and only on weekends after dark did they turn on their rainbow sign. There were no LGBTQ centers, no Gay-Straight Alliances, no resources. I try to imagine what it would be like to move back to my hometown today. I ask myself: what would I do and how I would make an impact after being part of a larger and more active community in Spokane Washington? What would you do if you were to move from a large, more visible community to a smaller rural community where not much was happening? Here is a story of one such return and what she and her partner hopes to accomplish.

Born and raised in Moses Lake, WA, Rachel Valdez doesn’t recall there being a LGBTQ community. She remembers hearing seldom, but extremely negative or ignorant comments being made when anyone talked about LGBTQ people. She would hear things like “gay people only live in San Francisco” or “those people are evil and are going to hell”. Coming from a strong religious family and living in a community with similar religious views, Rachel felt repressed by the social and cultural structures. It was the early days of the internet, few people had computers, and there were no LGBTQ related books in the library. Rachel craved resources and a supportive community. Pride Foundation, which was founded in late 1985, wasn’t even around until she graduated high school. With little resources or positive influences Rachel couldn’t wait to finish high school, leave town, and go off to college. Looking back on her life in Moses Lake, Rachel commented “I had to have been pretty lonely on the inside.”

Rachel left her home of eighteen years and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington where, in her eyes, she found the gay mecca. This is where Rachel finally felt comfortable enough to “come out.”  Rachel, like most of us, has fallen in and out of love a few times, including two long term relationships. Rachel is now with the love of her life, Tamara, who she has known for over 10 years. They are ready to make their life in Rachel’s hometown of Moses Lake.

When I asked Rachel why she and Tamara were moving back to Moses Lake, she replied, “To be with family and because we would like to retire in a smaller community. It’s important for me to know and understand what it’s like to live in a rural community.” Rachel wants to be a resource for LGBTQ people in the Columbia Basin Region. She has met individuals who feel they can’t talk to their parents about their sexuality, especially being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer, and hopes that she and Tamara can help.

Rachel would like to see more support and safe spaces in Moses Lake and the surrounding communities; where individuals can be who they are and where they may even one day celebrate these individuals with a local pride parade. Right now, that’s hard to imagine. At the local high school it is not at all uncommon to hear “fag” or other homophobic insults and to see students being bullied with little support from the school administration. Rachel and Tamara envision a place where this wouldn’t happen, where people feel safe in their own community, a place where they feel safe enough to hold hands in public like they did when living in Seattle.

Rachel is the Vice President as well as Chair of Marketing and Communications on the Pride Foundation Board of Directors. She is passionate about education and has been volunteering with Pride Foundation’s scholarship program for over 10 years. As a Pride Foundation Board Member Rachel would like to evangelize resources that Pride Foundation offers and educate more people on the impact that Pride Foundation is making across a five-state region. As a part of Pride Foundation and in their personal lives, Rachel and Tamara want to be role models as “out and proud” individuals who lead by example. Rachel and Tamara are already active in the community, both currently sit on the board of the Columbia Basin Allied Arts, and own a graphics design business.

On March 8, Rachel and Tamara Valdez are opening up their home for a Pride Foundation House Party with the goal of connecting other LGBTQ and Allied people in the area. They hope to raise awareness about the many opportunities Pride Foundation offers and resources that are available. Rachel and Tamara intend to raise money to put back into the LGBTQ and Allied community in Eastern Washington and help strengthen equality. Click here for more information about this event.

“Moses Lake and the surrounding area are growing and we want to be part of shaping what that community looks like. We want to start developing a stronger community.”

Farand Gunnels is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Eastern Washington. Email Farand.

Raising Awareness for Equality from the Fishbowl

McKyna Jacobson (front row, 2nd from right) joins her siblings, aunt, uncle, cousins and nephews sitting on her parents’ (and authors of From the Fishbowl) laps to keep them from floating away with excitement for imminent passage of marriage equality in Washington state.

Dorothy Harris, a Pride Foundation volunteer, lives in the town of Ephrata located in Eastern Washington, just north of Moses Lake, where everyone knows everyone. She, along with her close-knit family, are doing their part in the community to create equality, provide support and make their community a better place for McKyna, Dorothy’s lesbian daughter, and raise awareness. Dorothy shares her story of family support and how a family united can make positive change and hopefully make growing up in the small town of Ephrata easier for future LGBT students and a diverse, supportive and loving family.

We relate to the guppies in your kid’s fishbowl. As residents of Ephrata, an Eastern Washington town of 7,000, it is comforting to know most in the community. Neighbors keep an eye on our house. Our teenagers know their driving habits are scrutinized (and reported) by many eyes. Churches outnumber bars two to one so finding a signature Bloody Mary is tough, but it guarantees an overwhelming response when serious illness or tragedy strikes. As athletes, musicians and thespians, our kids and their classmates enjoy hundreds of fans in the stands and strong financial support of the business community.

Do guppies see any downsides to fishbowl living? Rarely do we navigate Safeway in in less than an hour, newcomers often have difficulty finding their niche in the community and, yes, rumors fly faster than the PUD’s fiber optic network. You know that uncanny feeling that your neighbors know you’ve done something before you’ve fully hatched a plan? This visibility makes sixteen-year-olds crazy! Adding to their conspicuousness, their father has been mayor over half their life and they are two of only a handful of Asians in the community. Many celebrated their 1996 arrival from Vietnam to be adopted into our family and the heart of the community.

As the sole openly gay kid in her high school of nearly 700, the fishbowl intensified for our daughter, McKyna, last year. “Entering my freshman year in high school, I hoped I was going to have a great experience, but like many of high schools throughout America, mine is filled with homophobia. I hear ‘gay,’ ‘faggot,’ ‘queer,’ and ‘homo’ constantly. No one directly bullies me about being gay. Yet, hearing those words everyday takes a toll on a teenager’s psyche. I am openly gay at school and speak honestly with anyone who asks me. Most people never have the courage to, and they ask my brother instead. When a person comes out, so does their whole family. I never wanted my family to be known as the ‘gay family.’ I also never wanted to be known as ‘the gay girl.’ There’s so much more to my family and myself than my being gay, but most times it’s hard for people to see past that. One time a couple of guys saw my cousins (pictured in photo) and I walking together at a game and they had the nerve to ask my brother if we were all lesbians. I laughed at how stupid they sounded. For any one wondering though, most lesbians DO NOT travel in packs!”

As adults, we feel the challenge, but are beginning to view our fishbowl as an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for equality. When McKyna came out to us at age 13, we wrongly assumed the closet was the only safe place for our family. Being outed by a trusted friend a year later was horrific for McKyna, but we should probably thank that girl for the authenticity she forced upon us. Grateful for strong connections with many, we are reaching out to grow support and understanding. The 2012 marriage equality legislation is our new ice breaker.

Family support for McKyna is invaluable to her and means everything to us. Her siblings pride her for her courage and tenacity. She rocked the GLSEN youth dance with her brother and cousin, walked Bloomsday in OutSpokane’s “Proud to be….” shirts and celebrated 2011Seattle PrideFest with seven family members. Our fishbowl is stronger and our life is richer because McKyna allows us to publicly support her. Despite the challenges, she knows the pack has her back!

This support led to a Christmas day family photo as requested on the Loves Makes a Family website. Rather than using the online templates, our creative teenagers fashioned their own equality graphics. We uploaded the photo, and it became our 2011 holiday card. We will take another photo with new (and better!) signs later this year when marriage equality is a reality in Washington State. We eagerly anticipate the day when McKyna finds an amazing woman to join our photo, our family and our fishbowl.

Activist Michael Jepson shares reflections on 2011

Activist, Pride Foundation supporter and guest writer Michael Jepson

Guest writer activist Michael Jepson, board member of OutSpokane, shares his perspective on our lives as we all look back at 2011, and look forward to 2012.

Happy New Year! As I write this, it is the first week of 2012, and we can look back on 2011 as a year of hope and change for those of us in the LGBTQ communities, as well as our friends, and families. There has been so much progress, on so many fronts, that I would like to take a few moments to review the progress made in the year.

Internationally, Brazil and Ireland opened the door to Civil Unions in 2011. In addition the Mexican Senate adopted a constitutional reform banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. What I find most exciting is that the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a declaration condemning discrimination on the basis of orientation and gender identity.

“…being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.”

In United States politics, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed, allowing LGBTQ service members to serve openly and proudly. New York State ended marriage discrimination in 2011, the most populous state in the US to do so thus far. In a speech given on Human Rights Day, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said “…being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.” Finally Wisconsin’s “Inmate Sex Change Prevention Act” was overturned by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, acknowledging the rights of the transgendered.

Our religious members and allies made progress, too.  The Presbyterian Church USA approved a constitutional amendment allowing the ordination of clergy in committed same sex relationships,  More religious congregations chose to be identified as “Welcome and Affirming”, or their faith’s equivalent.

Spokane was visited by Dan Savage and Terry Miller, founders of the “It Gets Better” movement.  Dan Savage initially came up with the idea of it gets better following a spate of teenage suicides, which led him to reflect on his “husband in Canada, boyfriend in the US’s”  and his experiences with bullying as a gay teen in Spokane. They returned to the high school where Terry faced physical and emotional abuse, and Terry pointed out that he was surprised to see that there is now a Gay Straight Alliance at the school. Judy Shepard also visited, talking about her journey in the years since her son Matthew was murdered simply for being gay, and the progress made in the years since.

Being a new board member for OutSpokane, I am going to spend a bit more time on this year’s Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival in Spokane. What started twenty years ago with a few dozen marching on the sidewalks in downtown has turned into a parade and Festival that reached 5,200 people this year. With a Pride Cruise, recognition of Voices for Victory, and the parade and festival, the Spokane LGBTQ Community is sharing with the community at large. We are not the other. We are your daughters, sons, brothers and sisters.  We are neighbors, co-workers, fathers and mothers.

2011 was a year of progress and hope. So far, 2012 is showing great potential, with the Governor of Washington proposing marriage equality in Washington, and civil union laws taking effect in Delaware and Hawaii.  While we have made great progress in 2011, we have far to go.

It’s Not Just About the Money: Two grantee celebrations held in Eastern Washington

Left to right: Keri Lobdell, Benton Franklin PFLAG Co-Chair and past scholarship recipient; Maria Stephens, Benton Franklin PFLAG Co-Chair; Dusti Mahoney, Vista Youth Center Program Director

It makes such an impact to let others know that the work they are doing is making a difference and that it’s greatly appreciated? I recently had the chance to do that personally with ten organizations who are working diligently to create change and promote equality in Eastern Washington. Thanks to the help from you, our Pride Foundation donors, volunteers and supporters two Grantee Celebrations were held to not only acknowledge these organizations.

Five organizations along with donors, Pride Foundation board member, Alex Pava, and volunteers attended the first Year-End Grantee Celebrations, held at Tagaris Winery, which is nestled in the heart of Washington’s Wine Country in Richland, WA on Wednesday, December 7.

The next evening in Spokane, I was pleased to greet five other Eastern Washington grantee organizations, donors and volunteers at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, with thanks to the UU Pride Team for donating the venue, on Thursday, December 8.

At these celebratory events – while partaking in the deliciousness of the  appetizers, desserts, beverages, and conversation – I had the great pleasure of meeting many devoted people who are doing amazing work throughout Eastern Washington. It was a pleasure to greet the organizations who drove from different parts of the region to attend the festivities. Though most of these organizations are fairly close to one another, many people have never had the chance to meet or learn about the work happening in surrounding communities, this celebration gave these organizations the chance to network and socialize with each other and with supporters, and to be recognized for their great work.

Left to right: Judy Stone, Palouse HIV Consortium Assistant Director; Farand Gunnels, Pride Foundation Eastern WA Regional Development Organizer; Lavonne Hall, Palouse HIV Consortium HIV Director

It was a treat to hear the chattering in the room as people got to know each other and share the work that was happening in their region. The connections people were making brought a triumphant feeling to the whole gathering. About an hour into each celebration, the 2011 Pride Foundation Eastern Washington grantees were announced and handed a check that will aid in the work they are doing, which is creating equality in the LGBTQ Community.

Organizations that were recognized include:

• Odyssey Youth Center (Spokane, WA)
• Vista Youth Center (Kennewick, WA)
• Eastern Washington University Pride Center (Cheney, WA)
• OutSpokane (Spokane, WA)
• PFLAG Benton Franklin (Richland, WA)
• GLSEN Washington State (Seattle, WA)
• Spokane Regional HIV/AIDS Speakers’ Bureau (Spokane, WA)
• Palouse HIV Consortium (Pullman, WA)
• Blue Mountain Heart to Heart (Walla Walla, WA)
• Yakima Health District (Yakima, WA)
• Children’s Home Society of Washington (Walla Walla, WA)

If you weren’t able to attend either of these events, I would invite you to learn about the work our grantee organizations are doing by visiting Pride Foundation’s website and/or call them and let them and let them know you support and appreciate their efforts in making a difference in the LGBTQ community.

Thank you – everyone – for all your hard work year round and happy holidays!

$30,000 in grants to Eastern Washington nonprofits

PFLAG Benton Franklin supporters are all smiles.

It always amazes me the quality of grant applications received in Eastern Washington and the incredible work that is happening in our region, which ranges from HIV/AIDS prevention to Advocacy and Education to Youth and Families.

I was thrilled to see grantee organizations that are focusing on the well-being of our youth and making sure they have the tools and support to either be healthy through such basic life skills as cooking nutritional meals, developing gay-straight alliance clubs in high schools, or sustaining and educating those GSA clubs, those that are active, strong and vibrant. We need to continue to reaffirm our youth and, with them, help create a future of equality for all.

December 1 was AIDS Awareness day and it made me think of the organization who are doing preventative work in rural communities and educating communities that are underserved.

It’s such a good feeling to know that, thanks to our donors and supporters, we are making such an impact in Eastern Washington. YOU are making a difference and creating change!

Since 1985, Pride Foundation has provided over $37 million to hundreds of organizations in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Alaska who are making a difference for LGBTQ equality. This year, because of the generosity and support of donors and volunteers, Pride Foundation will give away $30,000 to 11 organizations who are making an impact in Eastern Washington.

“We had a staggering $121,990 in grant requests! The review committee, made up of community members throughout Eastern Washington, had the difficult task of determining which nonprofits to fund and they did an incredible job,” explained Farand Gunnels, Pride Foundation’s Eastern Washington Regional Development Organizer.

Pride Foundation Eastern Washington’s 2011 grantees include:

1. Odyssey Youth Center – $3,000 to continue developing Gay Straight Alliance clubs and/or other social justice clubs at all Spokane County high schools.
2. Vista Youth Center – $3,000 to teach a series of food and nutrition courses to LGBTQ youth.
3. Spokane Regional HIV/AIDS Speakers’ Bureau – $2,000 will be used to develop educational and personal testimony DVDs that confront misunderstandings and prejudices concerning HIV/AIDS, which will be distributed to schools.
4. Eastern WA University Pride Center – $1,000 will help increase the visibility of the LGBTQA community and focus efforts on raising awareness to create a more welcoming climate for LGBTQA students, faculty and staff.
5. OutSpokane – $1,000 will go towards the cost of producing the 2012 Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival celebrations in Spokane.
6. PFLAG Benton Franklin – $3,500 will help PFLAG Benton Franklin provide care packages to local GSA’s to help promote acceptance of all students in their schools and for student rights to be clearly defined and enforced. PFLAG Benton Franklin will purchase DVD documentaries and books to be used for support meetings, community outreach events, and as training tools for mentors of LGBTQ youth.
7. GLSEN Washington State – $500 to hold one Youth Leadership Summit in the Tri-Cities to educate and sustain GSAs.
8. Palouse HIV Consortium – $3,000 will go towards ongoing work of the Consortium who provides funds to HIV-infected persons in order for them to be able to access needed health and social services.
9. Blue Mountain Heart to Heart – $5,000 will be used for to support outreach and education, rapid HIV testing for the most at-risk individuals, and other outreach to people in the LGBT and allied community in Milton-Freewater, which has no health department office and no active prevention education services targeted to individuals at high risk of contracting HIV or Hepatitis C.
10. Yakima Health District – $5,000 will be used to support Comprehensive Risk Counseling Services (CRCS) for HIV+ clients and for continued staffing for projects including HIV testing, syringe exchange, and education outreach to gay and bisexual men.
11. Children’s Home Society of Washington – $3,000 will be used to assist youth with organizing a GSA in local High Schools and to hold annual community awareness events in conjunction with National Day of Silence each spring.

While we are excited and proud to fund these wonderful organizations doing such vital work, so many other truly great causes were sadly denied funding. The committee would have liked to have the means to support many other applications, or to fully fund some of the groups that were funded only partially. The discussions were long and thoughtful as we knew that not every worthy project could be funded. With your continued support we can help many more wonderful groups do their dynamic work.

Questions about Eastern Washington? Email Farand.