Lambda is shepherding Pittsburgh's queer community into the 21st century in a holistic manner which creates some concrete opportunities to forge connections with our heterosexual allies. Thanks to responsible stewardship, Lambda has been part of nearly every significant LGBTQ initiative in Pittsburgh's history (and herstory). I personally took a greater interest in their inner workings when they stepped up with a last minute sponsorship of the 2008 Dyke March. That was classy and quite essential to something we very much need in Pittsburgh -- investments in alternative voices.
Congratulations to the recipients.
LAMBDA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2009 FIRST GRANT CYCLE RECIPIENTS
The Lambda Foundation exists to foster for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People- educational, social, cultural, health and artistic projects and programs in the Greater Pittsburgh area through grants and scholarships to organizations and individuals.
The Lambda Foundation was incorporated in 1983. The first grants were awarded in 1984. Over the past 26 years the Foundation has awarded nearly $1,000,000 back to the community.
These grants were made possible by the participation of our individual contributors, our Annual Ball participants, our corporate sponsors, UPMC and Merrill Lynch and our special contributors Scott Noxon, Paul Gitnik, Kirk Johnson and Henry Kravovsky.
The Lambda Foundation would like to thank the following organizations for the opportunity to co-participate in such worthy projects.
Persad Center, Inc. $1925.00
Persad, founded in 1972, is the nation?s second oldest licensed mental health counseling center specifically created to meet the needs of the GLBT
Community. Funds will be used for the Closing the Gap Afterschool Project.
Renaissance City Choirs $1925.00
The Renaissance City Choirs is a non-profit organization comprised of the Renaissance City Men?s Choir and the Renaissance City Women?s Choir.
RCC?s artistic vision is to be recognized as a cultural institution in the greater Pittsburgh area. Funds will be used to enhance their website
Dreams of Hope $1540.00
Dreams of Hope develop leaders within the LGBT youth community and promote awareness and understanding through the creative and performing arts. Funding will support their 2009 Season.
The Open Door, Inc. $1540.00
The Open Door, Inc.?s mission is to provide a supportive housing program that improves the health of the forgotten population of high risk, chronically homeless people living with HIV/AIDS. Funds will be used for their operating budget.
Adagio Health, Inc. $1540.00
Funds will be used to provide breast and cervical cancer health education and screening opportunities at the GLCC to lesbian and bi-sexual women, with no cost services available to women who are under-insured or uninsured.
The Mattress Factory, Ltd. $1540.00
The Mattress Factory is a museum of contemporary art that supports the creation and exhibition of site-specific installation art. Funds will enable the museum to permanently install ?It?s all about ME, Not You?, Greer Lankton?s (1958-1996) final work. This work documents Greer?s life and experience as a trans-gender person coming to terms with Midwestern values (which she embraced in a way) in contrast to the freedom of New York?s East Village in the late 1970?s and 1980?s.
Shepherd Wellness Community $1500.00
Shepherd Wellness Community offers a program of support and assistance to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Funds will be used for purchase of equipment.
Women?s Law Project $1155.00
Funds will be used to expand efforts to educate and enlist women?s organizations and other allies in the struggle for LGBT rights.
Charles Christen, Med, LPC $1000.00
Funds are to be used to fulfill the requirements for a doctoral degree at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, as well as further the research related to gay men?s health. The overarching goal of this research project is to explore and describe the motivations, attitudes, beliefs and intentions (MABI) related to sex partner acquisition of men who have sex with men between the ages of 18 to 39 years old and with either a low number (1-2) or high number (over10) of sex partners in the past year. A secondary purpose of this study is to explore MABI related to acquisition of sexual partners and the possible association of these MABI with HIV transmission.
Steel City Softball League $1000.00
The purpose of the Steel City Softball League is to provide and protect the opportunity for individuals who support the bonds of fellowship, to play softball in an atmosphere of friendly competition, free from discrimination on the basis of adult age, race, creed, sex and ability. The league will foster and maintain the spirit of good fellowship and true sportsman ship. Funds will be used to keep registration fees down for their members in the face of a fifteen percent increase in expenses.
GLSEN, Pittsburgh $1000.00
Funds will be used to expand GLSEN, Pittsburgh?s ?Unified! Safe Prom for All?. ?Unified! Safe Prom for All? is a program designed in response to the findings of the latest school climate survey conducted by GLSEN National and Harris Interactive. Of the 6,209 middle and high school respondents 9 out of 10 (86.2%) experienced harassment at school in the past year. GLSEN Pittsburgh?s ?Unified! Safe Prom for All? allow local students a venue to meet others, gather information, enjoy themselves and have a truly grand experience in a safe environment.
REMINDER: THE LAMBDA FOUNDATION?S ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BALL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
