For a long time, LGBT people have been oddballs, outcasts, you name it. Of course the reality is that "sexual minorities" are a permanent feature and a sizable minorty of the human population. Getting the majority to recognize that has been a fight every step of the way, and there is nothing to guarantee that the gains made up to this point will be maintained. Participating in RA is one way to do that. When you make the decision to attend a Rainbow Alliance meeting or to sign up for the e-mail, you are making a difference. You are refusing to be invisible.
The Fund is another way to maintain the momentum. Here are a few reasons that the Fund is needed:
First, as 10% of the population, LGBT people have every right to take their place at the table, to have a voice, to share in the rewards of work well done, to add their special perspective. The Fund is an important statement and an important tool in taking that place.
Second, the fund will act as a focal point for supporting the LGBT community at the University. Those who wish to make sure that their gift to the University will serve goals appropriate to LGBT people can contribute to the Fund and they will have the security of knowing that money will be handled professionally and fund the programs that are important to them. How the money will be used and where it will go will be spelled out.
Third, the Fund gives us a mechanism for building for the future. Like other minorities, LGBT people are used to accommodating oppression, but we still have dreams. We've scraped together just enough money to put on a show, have a dinner, print a few brochures. All those things are wonderful, but if we truly started to pool our resources, we could help ourselves in all sorts of ways.
Fourth, money talks. Individually, we are outstanding professors, clerks, communicators, administrators, technicians, and so on. But when the time comes, where is our solidarity and our ability to make things happen? Solidarity is something we've begun to acheive over the the last two years or so just by having meetings and dinners and getting to know each other. But making things happen? That's where the Fund comes in. It's a powerful symbol of our solidarity. When LGBT alumni get involved, the pace will really pick up.
An organization grows through accepting challenges and meeting them. The Fund is this kind of challenge for Rainbow Alliance. Let's take this thing to the next level. We'll surprise and delight ourselves with what can happen.
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