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Virtual Fundraiser
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We need your help!
Dear friends and past donors,
These are truly pressing times we live in. A pandemic is sweeping across the country killing over 200,000 Americans and dramatically revealing the inequities in our health system, while at the same time the country is struggling to address social injustices dating back hundreds of years, and the balance of the Supreme Court is in jeopardy, placing hard-fought gains for civil rights at risk. This should be a clarion call for all of us to get involved in our communities and vote.
At the NW Indiana Gay Straight Coalition, we remain dedicated to fostering a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ people in our neighborhoods through community outreach and public policy. Last year, we held a successful Sunday Jazz Brunch fundraiser which allowed us to co-sponsor along with PFlag the Michigan City Pridefest, and positioned us to pursue other policy initiatives.
We started 2020 by expanding our board and rebranding ourselves as “All IN” as we wanted a name that truly embodies our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We also decided to focus our energies on voter registration and promoting candidates for office that we believe will be a positive catalyst for change in Indiana. We identified a long list of events to attend with the intent of driving voter registration, and we surveyed all candidates for state office – both Republican and Democrat – so we could identify those that align with our mission. We also began plans for another Sunday Brunch.
Needless to say, COVID-19 changed a lot of that. Our voter registration drive turned into a virtual effort. We promoted voter registration on our website and social media and we partnered with Fiddlehead in Michigan City to include hundreds of registration info flyers with carryout containers.
Our survey of state legislator candidates was also a huge success. We received 39 completed surveys and were able to endorse 38 candidates for office as well as provide financial support for a select number that we felt passionately embraced our mission. For a full list of the candidates that we have endorsed and supported, please visit our website:
Gaystraightcoalition.org (http://www.Gaystraightcoalition.org)
Of course, there is more to do, according to a survey from education advocacy group GLSEN, nearly 60 percent of LGBTQ youth feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation. And this strikes close to home. In November, a video went viral showing anti-gay bullying in a NW Indiana school and in July, a city councilman in LaPorte was forced to apologize after making anti-gay comments during a meeting.
As with other non-profits this year, we cancelled our primary fundraising event as we didn’t want to put anyone’s health at risk. As a friend or a past supporter, we hope we can still count on your support though. Gifts received by October 16th will help us elect more candidates in this election cycle who value the diversity of all people and help us achieve our vision of an inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community in Northwest Indiana.
Please take a stand against prejudices and bigotry.
Best regards,
John Parro Rudy Conner Michael Jefvert
Board Chair Board Secretary Board Treasurer
Board Members at Large
Devon Carlson Deb Chubb Mike Conner Alexander deHilster
NWINGSC is a registered C(4) non-profit organization in Indiana. As such, any donations are not tax deductible.
Dear friends and past donors,
These are truly pressing times we live in. A pandemic is sweeping across the country killing over 200,000 Americans and dramatically revealing the inequities in our health system, while at the same time the country is struggling to address social injustices dating back hundreds of years, and the balance of the Supreme Court is in jeopardy, placing hard-fought gains for civil rights at risk. This should be a clarion call for all of us to get involved in our communities and vote.
At the NW Indiana Gay Straight Coalition, we remain dedicated to fostering a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ people in our neighborhoods through community outreach and public policy. Last year, we held a successful Sunday Jazz Brunch fundraiser which allowed us to co-sponsor along with PFlag the Michigan City Pridefest, and positioned us to pursue other policy initiatives.
We started 2020 by expanding our board and rebranding ourselves as “All IN” as we wanted a name that truly embodies our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We also decided to focus our energies on voter registration and promoting candidates for office that we believe will be a positive catalyst for change in Indiana. We identified a long list of events to attend with the intent of driving voter registration, and we surveyed all candidates for state office – both Republican and Democrat – so we could identify those that align with our mission. We also began plans for another Sunday Brunch.
Needless to say, COVID-19 changed a lot of that. Our voter registration drive turned into a virtual effort. We promoted voter registration on our website and social media and we partnered with Fiddlehead in Michigan City to include hundreds of registration info flyers with carryout containers.
Our survey of state legislator candidates was also a huge success. We received 39 completed surveys and were able to endorse 38 candidates for office as well as provide financial support for a select number that we felt passionately embraced our mission. For a full list of the candidates that we have endorsed and supported, please visit our website:
Gaystraightcoalition.org (http://www.Gaystraightcoalition.org)
Of course, there is more to do, according to a survey from education advocacy group GLSEN, nearly 60 percent of LGBTQ youth feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation. And this strikes close to home. In November, a video went viral showing anti-gay bullying in a NW Indiana school and in July, a city councilman in LaPorte was forced to apologize after making anti-gay comments during a meeting.
As with other non-profits this year, we cancelled our primary fundraising event as we didn’t want to put anyone’s health at risk. As a friend or a past supporter, we hope we can still count on your support though. Gifts received by October 16th will help us elect more candidates in this election cycle who value the diversity of all people and help us achieve our vision of an inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community in Northwest Indiana.
Please take a stand against prejudices and bigotry.
Best regards,
John Parro Rudy Conner Michael Jefvert
Board Chair Board Secretary Board Treasurer
Board Members at Large
Devon Carlson Deb Chubb Mike Conner Alexander deHilster
NWINGSC is a registered C(4) non-profit organization in Indiana. As such, any donations are not tax deductible.
The Northwest Indiana Gay Straight Coalition is a registered 501(c)4. Donations and ticket purchases are not tax deductible charitable contributions.
