Letter From Tim Gill
Founder and Chairman
Reflecting on the First 15 Years When my home state of Colorado tried to stamp out basic civil rights by passing an anti-gay initiative in 1992, I could not have imagined that by 2009 I would be married.
The marriage that my husband, Scott Miller, and I celebrated this spring in Massachusetts is not yet legal in my home state. Yet the amazing gains that we have made over the past 15 years give me confidence that our marriage will be recognized across the nation one day soon. Progress toward LGBT equality has been and will continue to be incremental: state by state, one law at a time.
I approach our 15th anniversary with two contrasting numbers in my mind. The first is that only 24 percent of the U.S. population lives in states that recognize same-sex marriage or domestic partnerships/civil unions. The second number, a much more positive one, is that 75 percent of Americans support some form of relationship recognition. By any definition, the contrast between these two numbers is stark and maddening. It also serves as the inspiration for our work.
Since the economic downturn started, the Gill Foundation’s assets are down by more than a third. In spite of that, we’ve made a decision to only cut our giving by ten percent this year. Why? Never in my life-time have we had so many needs and opportunities. Consider this:
56% of Americans live in states where there is no statewide law protecting them from being fired simply because they are gay and 72% of the population lives in states where there are no statewide nondiscrimination laws that include gender-identity or expression.
“When others are bold,
be timid. When others
are timid, be bold…
I’ve decided to be bold.”
60% of the U.S. population – that’s more than 200 million Americans – is not covered by statewide laws that ensure safe schools for students regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
57% of LGBT youth are coming out before the age of 18. This creates all sorts of needs to accelerate our efforts especially when you consider that 53% of them have engaged in drug use over the past 30 days and that the children of gay parents are more than twice as likely to be impoverished.
I balance those realities with the opportunities that will lead to full equality:
- Strong majorities of Americans support key policy proposals, at the state and national level, that will better the lives of LGBT Americans. Approximately two in ten U.S. adults report that their feelings toward gays and lesbians have become more favorable over the past five years.
- On the heels of our loss in California last November, four states, including Iowa, were added to those that allow same-sex marriage. The states of Washington and Nevada recently joined three other states and the District of Columbia in making domestic partnerships legal.
- Progress, big and small, is being made at all levels. Recently, the state of North Carolina instituted legislation that would require public schools to establish anti-bullying rules to protect LGBT students. Steady progress is being made to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” And the American Episcopal Church has agreed to bless same-sex unions.
Warren Buffett is fond of saying that when others are bold, be timid. And when others are timid, be bold. So that we can address the needs and take advantage of the opportunities that lie before us, I’ve decided to be bold.
Sincerely,
Throughout this letter, you’ll find useful information and links beyond the written text. Click on the highlighted text for additional information and links.
