~ G/L Community Newsletter ~
Fall 2024
Dear Members and Friends,
Since 1995, through the generous financial support of its donors and members, the G/L Community Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has made its mark in support of Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ groups, organizations and social services.
In light of recent anti-LGBTQ political attacks on our rights, our visibility is more important than ever before. State legislatures across the country are currently considering over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills. School districts (including several in Wisconsin) are denying students LGBTQ expression. US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has suggested marriage equality could be revisited. Meanwhile, motivated by these actions, hate crimes across the spectrum have dramatically increased with 20% committed against LGBTQs. Now, we have learned of “Project 25”, a blueprint for abrogating rights across the spectrum that specifically seeks to erase LGBTQ identity.
Facing these dire challenges, the G/L Community Fund launches its 2024-2025 donation drive. Regardless of the amount, you support improves our ability to serve those providing necessary and diverse services to our LGBTQ+ community as well as maintain our visibility and our rights.
The G/L Community Fund offers various options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively. With the “Your Choice” card you may select those organization(s) you wish to help. Of course, donations may also be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our past funding recipients. In That case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
The G/L Community Fund’s roster of beneficiaries includes a broad spectrum of arts, health, youth, senior, transgender and veteran service organizations. One beneficiary you may consider is Courage MKE, a group home for homeless LGBTQ youth. It has overcome extraordinary challenges; its new facility having been demolished by vandals in 2023. True to its name, it has carried on and continues its mission today. Please consider it when choosing an organization to support.
In these historical times when we face unrelenting forces seeking to undo our hard fought rights, we hope we can continue to rely on your generosity. If you are not a member already, please join the G/L Community Fund as a supporter. For more information, please visit our website where you can also make your donation. We hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Si Smits, Executive Director
A special thanks to our 2024 campaign sponsors for this year’s fund drive. Auto Erotica (Mercury Dist), Biltrite Furniture, Brewhouse Inn & Suites, Gebhardt Financial, Goodman’s Jewelers, Harvey’s Central Grille, Interspond LLC., Mondel Group Inc., Valley Pest Control, Walkers Pint, Wheeler’s Tax Service.
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com
Since 1995, through the generous financial support of its donors and members, the G/L Community Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has made its mark in support of Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ groups, organizations and social services.
In light of recent anti-LGBTQ political attacks on our rights, our visibility is more important than ever before. State legislatures across the country are currently considering over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills. School districts (including several in Wisconsin) are denying students LGBTQ expression. US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has suggested marriage equality could be revisited. Meanwhile, motivated by these actions, hate crimes across the spectrum have dramatically increased with 20% committed against LGBTQs. Now, we have learned of “Project 25”, a blueprint for abrogating rights across the spectrum that specifically seeks to erase LGBTQ identity.
Facing these dire challenges, the G/L Community Fund launches its 2024-2025 donation drive. Regardless of the amount, you support improves our ability to serve those providing necessary and diverse services to our LGBTQ+ community as well as maintain our visibility and our rights.
The G/L Community Fund offers various options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively. With the “Your Choice” card you may select those organization(s) you wish to help. Of course, donations may also be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our past funding recipients. In That case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
The G/L Community Fund’s roster of beneficiaries includes a broad spectrum of arts, health, youth, senior, transgender and veteran service organizations. One beneficiary you may consider is Courage MKE, a group home for homeless LGBTQ youth. It has overcome extraordinary challenges; its new facility having been demolished by vandals in 2023. True to its name, it has carried on and continues its mission today. Please consider it when choosing an organization to support.
In these historical times when we face unrelenting forces seeking to undo our hard fought rights, we hope we can continue to rely on your generosity. If you are not a member already, please join the G/L Community Fund as a supporter. For more information, please visit our website where you can also make your donation. We hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Si Smits, Executive Director
A special thanks to our 2024 campaign sponsors for this year’s fund drive. Auto Erotica (Mercury Dist), Biltrite Furniture, Brewhouse Inn & Suites, Gebhardt Financial, Goodman’s Jewelers, Harvey’s Central Grille, Interspond LLC., Mondel Group Inc., Valley Pest Control, Walkers Pint, Wheeler’s Tax Service.
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com
Dear Members and Friends,
In 2023 Milwaukee garnered nationwide recognition as one of the country’s top LGBTQ+ friendly cities. It also received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year. The criteria for these accolades include LGBTQ wellness infrastructures, arts and entertainment access and local political support. Combined they offer a quality of life for LGBTQ+ people that many other cities lack. In great part, Milwaukee achieved these amenities and services as well as political recognition through your continuing financial support of community causes through the G/L Community Fund (GLCF).
Founded nearly three decades ago, the G/L Community Fund, A 501(c)3 charitable organization, helps underwrite Wisconsin’s LGBT+ groups, programs and organizations through its annual distribution of funds. Last year, nearly twenty beneficiaries received your support through the GLCF. They represented the arts (Boulevard Theatre) and health (Galano Club and Vivent Health), youth and senior programs (Courage MKE and the LGBT Community Center), as well as the Pride Parade, Black and White Men Together, the Metropolitan Community Church, Veterans and other programs.
However, while Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community can boast about its achievements, those who oppose our rights and pursuit of happiness have been busier than ever. Throughout the country Republican controlled state governments have introduced hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills. Dozens have become law. In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers has vetoed a number of bills passed by the legislature aimed at curtailing LGBTQ rights. Late in 2023 Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos lead the charge successfully blackmailed the University of Wisconsin (UW) system by withholding funding unless the UW dismantled its diversity, equity and inclusion programs designed to help LGBTQ and other minority students. Meanwhile, in 2022 nationwide hate crimes against our community based on sexual orientation increased by 13.8% and on gender identity by 32.9%.
Facing these unrelenting challenges, the G/L Community Fund launches its membership drive. The GLCF “Your Choice” card offers options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively allowing you to select the organization(s) you wish to help. This year, the Wisconsin LGBT History Project and transgender programs have been added to the roster. Of course, donations may be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our designated recipients. In that case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
In these extraordinary times, we hope we can rely on your continued generosity. If not a member already, please join the G/L Community Fund as a supporter. Please visit our website where you can learn more about the GLCF and also make your donation. We hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Si Smits,
Executive Director
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com
In 2023 Milwaukee garnered nationwide recognition as one of the country’s top LGBTQ+ friendly cities. It also received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year. The criteria for these accolades include LGBTQ wellness infrastructures, arts and entertainment access and local political support. Combined they offer a quality of life for LGBTQ+ people that many other cities lack. In great part, Milwaukee achieved these amenities and services as well as political recognition through your continuing financial support of community causes through the G/L Community Fund (GLCF).
Founded nearly three decades ago, the G/L Community Fund, A 501(c)3 charitable organization, helps underwrite Wisconsin’s LGBT+ groups, programs and organizations through its annual distribution of funds. Last year, nearly twenty beneficiaries received your support through the GLCF. They represented the arts (Boulevard Theatre) and health (Galano Club and Vivent Health), youth and senior programs (Courage MKE and the LGBT Community Center), as well as the Pride Parade, Black and White Men Together, the Metropolitan Community Church, Veterans and other programs.
However, while Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community can boast about its achievements, those who oppose our rights and pursuit of happiness have been busier than ever. Throughout the country Republican controlled state governments have introduced hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills. Dozens have become law. In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers has vetoed a number of bills passed by the legislature aimed at curtailing LGBTQ rights. Late in 2023 Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos lead the charge successfully blackmailed the University of Wisconsin (UW) system by withholding funding unless the UW dismantled its diversity, equity and inclusion programs designed to help LGBTQ and other minority students. Meanwhile, in 2022 nationwide hate crimes against our community based on sexual orientation increased by 13.8% and on gender identity by 32.9%.
Facing these unrelenting challenges, the G/L Community Fund launches its membership drive. The GLCF “Your Choice” card offers options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively allowing you to select the organization(s) you wish to help. This year, the Wisconsin LGBT History Project and transgender programs have been added to the roster. Of course, donations may be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our designated recipients. In that case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
In these extraordinary times, we hope we can rely on your continued generosity. If not a member already, please join the G/L Community Fund as a supporter. Please visit our website where you can learn more about the GLCF and also make your donation. We hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Si Smits,
Executive Director
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com