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Home » News » Archives » Denver-Based Gill Foundation Announces Grant to Support ACLU of Illinois Outreach to Gay and Lesbian Communities Across State
Denver-Based Gill Foundation Announces Grant to Support ACLU of Illinois Outreach to Gay and Lesbian Communities Across State January 24, 2005 CHICAGO - On-going efforts by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois to foster a public discussion across the State about issues confronting the gay and lesbian community received a significant financial boost earlier this month. The Denver-based Gill Foundation has announced an award of $20,000 to support the ACLU Statewide Outreach Initiative. The Initiative, under the direction of the ACLU of Illinois Gay and Lesbian Rights/AIDS and Civil Liberties Project, is part of an effort to combat discrimination against gay men, lesbians and those with HIV/AIDS in Illinois communities outside of the immediate Chicago region. "The additional funding from the Gill Foundation is a tremendous boost to our on-going efforts to extend the reach and effectiveness of the ACLU Project in every corner of our State," said John A. Knight, Director of the ACLU of Illinois Gay and Lesbian Rights/AIDS and Civil Liberties Project. "Across Illinois, thousands of lesbian and gay couples are living and raising children in communities where they are valued and accepted by their friends and neighbors. However, these same friends and neighbors as well as others in the community do not know about the significant burdens placed on these couples because of their inability to marry. We are working to create a space where lesbian and gay families and others from their communities all over Illinois will feel able to participate in a dialogue about problems and solutions to the discriminatory marriage laws." Most recently, the Statewide Initiative has sponsored a series of programs titled "Leave No Family Behind" to explore the manner in which current discriminatory marriage laws have a detrimental impact upon same-sex couples and their children. To date, programs have been held in Peoria, Normal, Champaign and most recently in Springfield. In each location, the program has included local same-sex couples, a local child welfare expert and a local member of the clergy. Audiences at these town hall meetings have an opportunity to ask questions of the panel. Most participants found the discussions moving as well as informative, particularly since few people truly understand the many daily challenges faced by same-sex couples, such as assuring hospital visitation rights to an ailing partner, guaranteeing powers to make medical decisions, securing health care benefits and other daily activities. While they have received significant media coverage, the programs also have provided a vehicle for local community groups to initiate a discussion about equal access to marriage benefits, a broad conversation that goes far beyond one evening and one program. The Gill Foundation frequently has provided funding for the ACLU of Illinois Statewide Initiative. As a result of this funding, the ACLU Project has done significant outreach in communities beyond the immediate Chicago region, including speaking engagements and meetings at a number of downstate universities on issue of concern to the gay and lesbian community, vigorous investigation of potential discrimination cases in downstate areas, and outreach to coalition partners in communities with significant gay and lesbian populations. Founded by software entrepreneur Tim Gill in 1994, the Gill Foundation has been most active investing in change for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. With an endowment of approximately $226 million, the foundation is the largest provider of funding for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations in the U.S. - and has invested nearly $67 million in nonprofits throughout the country to date. The Association of Fundraising Professionals - the largest association of charitable fundraisers in the world - named Gill the Outstanding Foundation in 2004. "As we continue our mission of securing equal opportunity for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression, we are proud to support such a worthwhile organization and its important work," said Rick Jung, national program officer for the Gill Foundation. "The new funding will allow us to further invigorate our efforts in Urbana-Champaign, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, the Quad Cities, Carbondale and beyond," added Knight. "We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to build upon the partnerships and the success of the past several years in addressing significant needs in this State." |
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