A couple of groups are getting a big financial boost in their efforts to affect state policies when it comes to LGBT issues.
The Tides Foundation has awarded two $150,000 grants. One goes to the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU) and its LGBT Advocacy Project, to support their efforts to overturn the ban on gay adoption. The other was awarded to Organizations United Together Federation (O.U.T.), to educate and train LGBT leaders with the goal of changing state policy regarding gay issues.
The ACLU plans to use the funds to defend its recent trial court victory ending Florida’s ban on adoption by gays and lesbians, paying some of the significant costs of defending the judgment on appeal. They also plan to conduct a grass-roots public awareness campaign to educate Floridians about the case. Find out more about the ACLU lawsuit.
O.U.T. plans to use the money to build the abilities of local organizations through workshops, webinars, web-based resources and support for local leaders.
One Orlando and the Metropolitan Business Association (MBA) participated in the grant application process.
“We have committed to assisting the ACLU in its local efforts to educate the public and advocate on this issue,” said MBA Board member Mary Meeks. “We will be requesting local volunteers to assist with this effort.”
