The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has honored four Colorado individuals and organizations with the 2007 Advancing Equality Awards in recognition of their commitment to creating an inclusive and equal environment for all people. Each honoree has received a check for $5,000, to be used according to his or her organization’s wishes. The awards were presented at the Gay & Lesbian Fund’s annual holiday party in Colorado Springs on December 5.

The 2007 awardees, and a description of their commitments to Advancing Equality, are:

• OUTSTANDING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION: Colorado Springs Conservatory, led by Linda Weise, executive director. The conservatory was selected for its unwavering commitment to improving and enriching the lives of at-risk youth through the gift of music. The conservatory is an outspoken advocate for respecting human differences and helping kids to understand that every individual, despite his or her challenges, has something meaningful to contribute.
• OUTSTANDING PUBLIC OFFICIAL: Colorado State Senator Jennifer Veiga. Having served the state since 1996, Senator Veiga was either a prime or secondary sponsor of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) each year for 11 years. In 2007, Governor Bill Ritter signed ENDA into legislation, making it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender expression.
• OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS: Will Temby and Glen Bruels, founding co-chairs of the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum. The Diversity Forum was one of the first organizations to be vocal in its support of equality for all diverse populations to include gay men and lesbians among the business community. Recognizing that the representation and inclusion of diverse people in the workforce creates an enriching experience for both employers and the community, Temby and Bruels have championed many activities, such as the “Everybody Welcome” cultural festival.

“The work of all of these winners is exemplary, and we can’t thank them enough for their willingness to stand up for the rights of their fellow Coloradans. Their voices are important, and we hope others will follow their lead by standing up for equality in their own neighborhoods, schools, churches, and places of work. Together, we can all make Colorado a more just and equitable place to live,” said Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund.

Linda Weise said of her award, “It’s flattering, humbling, and astounding to be recognized for our work. It has never occurred to me that what we are doing is anything but the right thing. We tell the kids that there are no boundaries. We say, ‘Do your best, and we’ll love you no matter what.’ That concept, where we embrace everybody, is second nature to me. I can only hope that our kids will learn by example.”

Senator Jennifer Veiga said, “Gay civil rights are important to me, in addition to valuing civil rights for all people. As a lesbian, I recognize the importance that people have a sense of fairness and equity in the workplace, which is why I’ve been the sponsor of ENDA most of the years I’ve been in legislation.”

Will Temby, on behalf of himself and Glen Bruels, remarked, “Most of the employers in the business community are ahead of the curve when it comes to valuing the richness of diversity. We saw the creation of the Diversity Forum as a way to further introduce that wisdom to the Colorado Springs business community, and to celebrate the welcoming nature of our city.”

In 2006, at the Gay & Lesbian Fund’s 10th anniversary celebration, the philanthropic foundation began a tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to promote topics related to diversity, inclusion, and equality in the state of Colorado. Three winners were honored in 2006, and a description of their use of the $5,000 award money follows:

• Pikes Peak Library District, led by Paula Miller, executive director, won the award for Outstanding Nonprofit Organization. The library district earmarked its award money toward the sponsorship of a community forum on diversity, which will take place in early- to mid-2008.
• Mayor Steve Burkholder of Lakewood was recognized as Outstanding Public Official. Before his tenure as mayor ended in the fall of 2007, Mayor Burkholder allocated the award money to the city’s Commission for Inclusive Community. The allotment will be dispersed on a yearly basis in $1,000 increments beginning in 2008. The first portion will be used to co-sponsor a remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King with Red Rocks Community College.
• Lon Matejczyk, publisher of the Colorado Springs Business Journal, was honored as Outstanding Community Supporter. Matejczyk donated his award to the Community Service Fund of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs, which dispersed the money to different nonprofit organizations as needed throughout the year.

About the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
Since it was founded in 1996, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has provided financial support and critical resources to hundreds of nonprofit organizations that share the fund’s commitment to advancing equality and improving quality of life for people across Colorado. Having awarded more than $18 million to arts and culture, civic leadership, healthy families, and public broadcasting programs, the fund prides itself on the collaborations it has formed with those who share a common vision for equality. Along with grantees, business partners, nonprofit leaders, public supporters, and allies, the Gay & Lesbian Fund believes that Colorado is a stronger state when all residents have equal access to opportunities and resources. Learn more about the fund’s philanthropic work at www.gayandlesbianfund.org