Upper Midwest LGBT foundation hosts meeting with U.S. Senator Al Franken
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 18, 2010 – PFund, the only Minnesota foundation dedicated exclusively to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, today hosted a meeting with U.S. Senator Al Franken and sixteen leaders from LGBT organizations.
PFund grantees met with Sen. Franken and shared the work each organization does to benefit LGBT and allied people in Minnesota. The meeting included representatives from Avenues for Homeless Youth, Bisexual Empowerment Conference, Family & Children’s Service, Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance, OutFront Minnesota, Rainbow Health Initiative and Rainbow Rumpus.
“PFund works to provide opportunities for our grantees to raise the visibility of their work,” said Greg Grinley, PFund executive director. “We are incredibly grateful to Sen. Franken for his support and for taking time to hear about the critical issues our grantees are working on.”
Senator Franken highlighted his long-term and unwavering support of LGBT communities. He shared his work to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, his support of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) and the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) among other things.
“Senator Franken enjoyed the honest conversation with PFund’s grantees,” said Bethany Snyder,
Director of Field Operations, Office of Senator Franken, “he left the meeting more aware of the
great and needed work of the organizations present. He is energized to continue to work hard for
the LGBT community.”
Organizations present applauded Senator Franken’s commitment to LGBT equality and urged the Senator to remember that LGBT people are affected by the same issues that affect all Americans – quality and affordable healthcare, immigration, economic stability and safe schools.
“I appreciated the opportunity to share our work with Senator Franken,” said Joan Higinbotham, board
member, Rainbow Rumpus. “The conversation was valuable for us as well as the Senator.”
Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance 