Thanks Knight Foundation and Roshell for lifting up the work of organizations that are supporting our LGBTQ communities across the country. The Miami Foundation was thrilled to be included and so proud of the work we lead in South Florida in deep partnership with the National LGBTQ Task Force and Our Fund.
Knight’s staff heard insights from leaders in philanthropy, activism and community work in support of the LGBTQ+ community during an educational session at our Miami headquarters as part of Knight’s DEI programming around Pride Month. Rich Ferraro of GLAAD shared research findings that show the lack of coverage of LGBTQ+ issues in local media in the U.S. South–emphasizing that there were only 23 substantive stories about HIV out of the 1,300 stories analyzed over 18 months (2019 – 2020) across nine Southern states. DeMarcus Beckham, co-founder of Macon Pride and senior regional organizer for the Human Rights Campaign in Georgia, spoke about the evolution of the LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia since the eighties, sharing that Macon Pride has found partners across the community, from faith groups to youth groups and the local sheriff’s department, who are all working together to foster a safe space for LGBTQ+ people. Mateo A. Ventura Bruer, Aqua Foundation for Women and Lindsey Linzer, The Miami Foundation, spoke about their experiences serving the LGBTQ+ community in Florida. Ventura Bruer said Aqua has seen an uptick in LGBTQ+ people who are seeking support to leave the state. Linzer shared how the foundation’s LGBTQ+ Equity Fund addresses the shifting needs of Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, like their recent round of grants which expand support for LGBTQIA+ youth who experience homelessness in Miami-Dade.
Thank you for joining us and sharing more about the work TMF is doing to lift up the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Miami 🌈🫶🏾