Giving money away to make 2008 the Year of the Queer for advancing equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans.
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By Charlie Rounds | Contact
Charlie Rounds is happily married to Mark Hiemenz and they live in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Charlie is a native Minnesotan and graduated in 1977 from the University of Minnesota. He then served for 3 ½ years in the Peace Corps in Cameroon.
Charlie is currently the President of RSVP Vacations and serves on the boards of the Kevin J. Mossier Foundation, the Civil Marriage Collaborative, and Clearway Minnesota.
Mark and Charlie's philanthropy include the Mark and Charlie Gay Lesbian Fund at the Minneapolis foundation as well as their Microfinance program in Bella Vista, Ecuador.
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"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation."
Dr. Martin Luther King, April 1968
I am a firm believer in not recreating the wheel. So when I looked for how to articulate why, as lgbt Americans and our allies, we needed to increase our efforts to win equality this year, I looked to Dr. King's last speech in 1968. I encourage you to read or listen to it. His words in 1968 to African Americans as to how to win their rights seem to be a perfect road map in 2008 for lgbt people in winning ours.
LET ME TELL YOU WHY THESE ARE "POWERFUL DAYS":
In 2008, we have the opportunity to elect the first non-white male US President in history. Next year, school children in America will look up in their classrooms to see the portrait of a leader who was elected on the basis of ability - not because he belonged to a privileged club that has held power for 232 years. Although neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton is lgbt, the fact that they do not look like the preceding 43 presidents cannot but help change this country's perception of "roles." When the "leader of the world" has shattered either the race or gender barrier, it can only help us as lgbt people. This is not shifting the paradigm - it's blowing the damn thing up.
We have won and held marriage in Massachusetts. Civil unions are solidly established in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. These are historic wins brought on by the hard work of thousands. Maintaining these victories, winning more states, and as importantly, defeating new anti-marriage initiatives - are not only vital, but doable.
The influence of the radical religious right is falling faster than it took Dick Cheney to get us into a war based on fictional WMD. The younger generation of Evangelicals is more concerned about poverty and pollution than fighting gay marriage. The older generation sees this as their last chance to hold their inordinate power over American politics, and they will not go down without a fight. By doubling our efforts this year, we can ensure that it is their last.
The 18 to 25 year olds have not been this politically involved in decades - and the vast majority of them support lgbt rights, including marriage. If we can help their candidates and their ideas win, there is a much better chance they will stay active in formulating an lgbt-inclusive future for this country.
RISING UP
Your Own Money: For those of you, who are financially able, please increase both your political and non profit giving. The work of non-profits doesn't just let up every four years - they need as much money as every other year. And after eight years of slash and burn economics, many are already more financially strapped then they have ever been. Add to this an economic recession, and many people they serve will suffer greatly. For those of us who have benefited disproportionately from the Bush Tax Credits, it is our time to "rise up" at unprecedented levels. Once you've done that, you need to open up the checkbooks again and give politically - there will be clear choices on almost all levels between candidates who believe in fairness and those who don't. And once your checkbook is open, use it wisely. Every dollar spent politically has to maximize the possibility of winning equal rights. Use this website to find out where you can best give to achieve equality.
Foundation Money: For those of us who sit on boards of foundations, we need to push increased giving this year - regardless of how the investment portfolio has done in the last year. A dollar spent this year on equal rights could save ten dollars in the future. Let's make a commitment to winning this battle in the next 12 years. To best achieve that, we need to front-load our spending.
Other's Money: We need to work to get others to give. This will work differently for all of us - but there has to be a way to tell others why you are increasing your giving and why it is important for them to join you. Consider starting a Giving Circle that will encourage members to give more and give strategically.
Time: Money is great and necessary to win these battles. However, there are other ways that we and, more importantly, almost all lgbt people can give. Campaigns and non-profits always need volunteers, whether to stuff envelopes, deliver meals, or give management advice. Get involved - it makes a difference.
At Work: We need to try and influence those we work for and those we work with, to encourage them to do the right thing. For example, is it possible to get your employer to stand up publicly against anti-gay marriage ballot initiatives? In my industry, the travel industry, I am going to talk with my Florida-based suppliers to explain why it is critical that they stand against the anti-marriage ballot initiative.
"For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory." Dr. Martin Luther King, April 1968.
Let me close in reminding you that according to the Chinese Zodiac this is the year of the rat. A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal - a perfect anecdote of what it will take us to make 2008 the year of the queer.
