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Serving as a Catalyst for Social Change on Behalf of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Communities in Southeastern Wisconsin since 1982 |
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Honoring Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Leaders
The premise is simple – create a committee of selected leaders, give them access to grant funds, and ask them to fund the most effective way to create an equal Milwaukee. In return, you give each leader a grant to their respective organization in recognition for the work they have already achieved. In total, over $75,000 will be distributed by the end of 2008 through this partnership. “I was most honored to be selected to serve on this panel,” said Michael Johnston, columnist for the LGBT publication Outbound and member of the 2008 committee. “My involvement has renewed my belief in what a great community we have - populated with a diverse, yet cohesive, caring people.” “These individuals have worked hard to create a great space and community for LGBT individuals,” said Joseph Pabst. “We wanted to provide an opportunity that highlighted their contributions and at the same time trusted them to continue to make a difference in a new way.” While the 2007 effort focused on recognizing LGBT organizations, the 2008 committee, or the 41/26 Venture, focused on finding one project that will affect public opinion of LGBT people. “Finding a project that could support the needs of everyone is impossible, at best, but finding a way to support as many people as possible is what we tried to accomplish,” said Angie Guerra, Director of Communications for the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and member of the 41/26 Venture. This year, the group will distribute over $26,000 to help create a media campaign around LGBT issues, in particular those important to the LGBT communities through the support of the Shall Not Be Recognized photography exhibit featuring 30 same-sex couples. To find out more about the exhibit visit www.shallnotberecognized.org. In addition, another $23,000 will be distributed to LGBT agencies in honor of committee members. 41/26 Venture members include Maria Cadenas, Executive Director of the Cream City Foundation; Joseph Brooks, formerly with AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin; Patrick Flaherty, former Director for Center Advocates; Angie Guerra of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and Lesbian Fund; and Michael Johnston, writer for Outbound magazine.
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2008 marks the second consecutive year that Joseph Pabst, a local philanthropist, and the Cream City Foundation will join forces to empower and recognize local leaders of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities. |
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