Press

Miami-Dade, September 12 - In the wake of the historic defeat of the Christian Coalition's effort to repeal anti-discrimination protections for gay and lesbian people in Miami-Dade County, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today announced plans to dramatically expand its field organizing and training initiative. "We won in Miami because we organized a campaign that actually was designed to win," said Lorri L. Jean, NGLTF Executive Director. "Working in partnership with SAVE Dade, the Task Force conceived and implemented a field program that focused on identifying and mobilizing gay-friendly voters. It's the same strategy that we used last year, when we won 5 out of 6 GLBT-related ballot measures in the November, 2001 elections."

"We now have plenty of evidence to prove that the Task Force program works," confirmed Dave Fleischer, the NGLTF Director of Organizing and Training who oversees the Task Force field program. "Until last November, our community was losing GLBT-related ballots measures 75% of the time. In preparation for the 2001 elections, the Task Force worked with local partners to implement its new program, and we began to turn that tide. The Miami victory gives us all the confirmation we need that we can win these measures if we'll only fight them the right way."

Jean continued, "That's why we are so excited to announce an historic investment to go with Tuesday's historic victory: a $1 million grant from the Arcus Foundation, specifically to expand our field organizing and training program over the next three years. We are honored and gratified that the Arcus Foundation has recognized the impact of our work and wants to see it expand. This unprecedented grant will enable us to more than triple our field staff and implement even more ambitious programs in every community where religious fanatics are attempting to undo our civil rights at the ballot box, and beyond."

The mission of the Arcus Foundation is to contribute to a pluralistic society that celebrates diversity and dignity, invests in youth and justice, and promotes tolerance and compassion.

Fleisher already has his eye on the future. "With up to five additional ballot fights to face this fall, we can't afford to lose the momentum or the support we've gained by winning in Miami. In its generosity — and foresight — the Arcus Foundation has provided the Task Force with the resources necessary for us to build our capacity over time to launch grassroots organizing efforts in every community under attack. With lots of hard work and a little luck, we'll turn the tide then put an end to these bigoted ballot measures," Fleischer predicted.

Field organizing, including fighting anti-gay ballot measures, is the largest component of NGLTF's work. NGLTF funds, trains and provides daily expertise and assistance to grassroots community activists nationwide in areas including fundraising, volunteer coordination, voter identification, coalition building and campaign management and strategy. This work is critical to the fulfillment of the mission and vision of NGLTF, which has since 1973 worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people through local, state and national lawmaking.

"We are thrilled to be making this type of investment in a social change agenda, especially one that has been proven to be so effective," said Jon Stryker, President of the Michigan-based Arcus Foundation, which witnessed first hand the Task Force's role in helping to defeat all three Michigan anti-GLBT ballot measures in 2001. "Beyond preserving and expanding the civil rights of the GLBT people and their families, the work that the Task Force has undertaken has another extremely important benefit — it promotes understanding and strengthens local communities across the nation."

To enable the Task Force to leverage additional funding for this program, the Arcus Foundation has designated $500,000 of the $1 million gift as a challenge to existing donors to increase their levels of support, and to motivate new donors to make significant first-time gifts. For further information please contact Charles Robbins, CFRE, Director of Development, at (323) 857-8746.

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The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up. We do this by training activists, organizing broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and by building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge.