Pride Foundation

Workshop on welcoming in Bitterroot, MT

A family affair: (clockwise from top left) Tammy, Robert, Kathy and Rachel

How do you build community in a way that is inclusive and welcoming? An upcoming workshop in Bitterroot Valley brings together the expertise of regional and national PFLAG representative to share their experience and to help other groups avoid some of the pitfalls of community organizing.

Kathy Reim, a Pride Foundation board member and regional PFLAG director for the Pacific Northwest...

God loves gays, and so does the Bitterroot PFLAG Chapter

Caitlin (l) and Terry Moran, leader of the Bitterroot/Hamilton PFLAG Chapter

I grew up “un-churched”, which is no small feat in Nampa, Idaho, where I came of age. My parents were both raised Christians, but did not like the judgment and hypocrisy that accompanied their experiences. They raised my brother and me to learn about the contributions of all the world’s religions and to decide for ourselves any spirituality we wanted to pursue.

As...

Documenting inequality in Anchorage

The Alaska LGBT Community Survey project needs your help documenting inequality in Anchorage

The Alaska LGBT Community Survey is a project of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans community of Alaska (plus our friends & allies) to conduct a statewide survey of our community. We’ll also use it to solicit case histories to document recent experiences of discrimination, harassment, and violence due to sexual orientation and gender identity bias.

In August 2009, Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed an ordinance to amend the city’s nondiscrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity. He argued that there was no quantifiable evidence to prove that LGBTQ...

Donor: the meaning of “Meaningful Philanthropy”

What is Meaningful Philanthropy? 20-year donor Lucy Peckham shares her story

Pride Foundation's Tiffany McClain and supporter Lucy Peckham

At Pride Foundation, we talk a lot about “meaningful philanthropic opportunities.” But what exactly do those words mean? The more I talk to people like Lucy Peckham, the more I’m convinced that our donors and prospective donors are the ones who teach us—every day—what...

A.L.P.H.A. founder: ‘We can’t afford NOT to do this’

Community activist and leader Duane Quintana

At first meeting, Duane Quintana does not strike you as your typical activist. His soft-spoken voice and mild-mannered demeanor immediately puts one at ease and draws you into whatever topic is on his mind at the moment. And perhaps that very approachability is one of the keys to his success.

At 32, the Boise man is the executive director of A.L.P.H.A., Allies Linked for the Prevention...

Vampires, emeralds & rabbits, oh my!

Ms. Trai La Trash ravages with her ruby lips at the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Emerald Empire’s Heart of Oregon pageant.

In Karen Petersen’s first full month at Pride Foundation, she goes all over the Oregon map meeting with allies and community leaders. Here’s her latest tour highlighting the work of three great LGBTQ organizations.

It’s hard to believe it’s March already. February certainly flew by, perhaps because...

Divisions in Montana hurt equality efforts

Caitlin Copple with Pride Foundation board member (and party co-host) Shelley Hayes in Billings

LGBTQ organizing in Montana faces several barriers. The sheer vastness of our state has led to a sense of competition between Montana’s cities. After my recent tour of Billings, Bozeman, Butte and Missoula, I believe more than ever that we can rise above our geographic differences and build a solid statewide community. I hope that Montanans can start a conversation that acknowledges...

Alaska Raffle-with-a-Twist winner pays it forward

Given that our mission is to inspire a culture of generosity, Pride Foundation’s staff is super-excited to hear that Alaska’s winner of our 2010 Raffle-with-a-Twist has decided share their winnings with three other organizations! This was the second year in a row that Anchorage’s Identity, Inc. was Alaska’s most nominated organization and for the second time, their Board of Directors voted to split their $1,000...

Future uncertain for anti-bullying bill in Idaho

The future of an Idaho Senate bill proposed this year to strengthen the state’s anti-bullying laws is uncertain after a Feb. 23 hearing.

The bill, SB 1105, was the subject of an emotional two-hour Idaho Senate Education Committee public hearing that saw the likes of several parents, students and community leaders turn out to speak about the necessity of the legislation, which includes language calling for more education and training related to harassment and bullying issues.

The committee voted in favor of sending...

Re-thinking LGBTQ domestic violence in Alaska

Did you know that domestic violence happens in same-sex relationships at about the same rate as in straight relationships?

Have you ever considered how homophobia and the lack of legal protection from discrimination might discourage an LGBTQ victim of domestic violence from getting help for fear of being “outed” or did you know that the most common type of male-to-male rape is the rape of a man who is perceived to be gay by a heterosexual man?

These and other facts are highlighted in the curriculum, “Think/Re-Think: Domestic Violence in Bi, Trans, Lesbian...