Dear friends of equality,
As you know, I have worked for over two years as the Lead for HRC Fort Wayne. For the past year, we have been the only HRC presence in the state of Indiana. In the past two years, we have had high-profile accomplishments such as being one of the top producers of letters and postcards in the nation in support of the Matthew Shepard Act, we have been instrumental in electing equality-minded people to office (from City Council to President), and have assisted like-minded organizations in their endeavors to promote the advancement of civil rights for all people. In doing so, we have built a solid reputation of respect and dedication for our work.
We have had myriad of behind-the-scenes victories. Because of our work, I was asked to write Michael Montagano’s platform on GLBT civil rights, Jill Long-Thompson offered me a position as the Regional Field Director of her campaign, and people from all over the country have approached me stating they’ve heard of the work we’ve done here in northeast Indiana. We got Greg Harris, one of the only “out” Representatives in the nation, to speak to our community, and we have provided a trained volunteer force and powerful avenues for people to take action. An attorney with the Victory Fund approached me at the Indiana Democratic Convention stating he had heard of HRC Fort Wayne and all of the wonderful work we have accomplished, and the first out lesbian judge in Ohio stated the same. Senator Bayh knows us personally, and Senator Lugar’s Aide in D.C. knows us as well. We have had a highly-visible presence, having appeared on television, in the newspaper, in magazines and on the radio literally more times than I can count, and HRC Fort Wayne was this year’s winner of the YWCA Hope Award for our work regarding hate crimes.
This doesn’t even begin to address the other ways we have impacted people’s lives on a personal level. For example, when a person was the victim of a brutal hate crime beating which landed him in the hospital for several days, we connected him with resources to help him heal from such a heinous act. We have assisted young people who had been kicked out of their homes when they came out to their families. We have connected people with wonderful attorneys when they have been either fired or shoved out of employment on the supposition that they were gay, and have assisted people in obtaining resources in child custody hearings where the parent’s sexual identity became an issue in court. The stories have so often been heartbreaking, but working together, we have helped countless people.
Furthermore, we have networked with fair-minded organizations across the state and across the country in order to produce effective change that makes politicians take note when we speak with them.
We had an amazingly fun time while doing this work! Often in collaboration with other organizations, HRC Fort Wayne brought in independent artists such as LVNMUZIQ, Amy Hedrick, and Ben Walter, as well as the world-renowned hip-hop artists God-des and She, and hosted the city’s first, “L Word Premiere Party.”
We have a list of accomplishments that are impressive for any organization, but are especially formidable considering the amount of time we’ve been in existence. It is something of which we can all be PROUD!
Now I ask you personally to take this training and activism to the streets, as it is time to bid farewell to HRC Fort Wayne. As some of you may know, I moved to the South Bend area a few months ago so my partner and I could be closer to her family.
Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to find someone to take over the responsibilities as the Lead for HRC Fort Wayne. We have wonderful people here doing amazing work. People absolutely have the best intentions, but it simply has not worked out.
I have attempted to run our organization from afar, but believe I cannot be effective, as I cannot be a physical presence in the meetings and events of likeminded organizations due to the time restraints that come from living two hours away.
I have decided that it is better to have a graceful exit and “drop the curtain” on HRC Fort Wayne rather than have it become simply a mediocre organization.
It has been my sincere honor and pleasure to be YOUR HRC representative for the past two years. I have been humbled by your drive, dedication, knowledge, and energy, and have met simply the coolest people on the planet. Because of you, my life is richer and more meaningful than I could ever have anticipated.
I truly know that our world is better because of our activism. I now encourage you to put your talent and energy into continuing the work of HRC Fort Wayne through other avenues. Please read below for volunteer opportunities.
With the most sincere appreciation for your commitment to equality for ALL,
Linda Bentz
LindaHRCvolunteer@yahoo.com This list is in no way intended to be exhaustive. However, it is a good place to start when looking for ways to become educated about or involved in the movement for equality. Click on the link to be taken to the organization’s web site.
AIDS Task Force
http://www.aidsfortwayne.org/525 Oxford Street
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46806
260-744-1144
The Bilerico Project—Indiana
http://indiana.bilerico.com/The web's largest LGBTQ group blog with 50 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and genderqueer contributors
BloomingOUT Radio
http://www.wfhb.org/bloomingout/Listen every Thursday from 6-7 PM, or anytime via podcast. The show is informative, insightful, and funny, and these folks have become some of our biggest supporters and closest friends. Helen Harel and Sean Lemieux host.
bloomingout@wfhb.org Fort Wayne PRIDE
www.fortwaynepride.orgThe best party in Fort Wayne is THIS WEEKEND!
Nikk Fultz, Director
Nikki@fortwaynepride.org There are still opportunities to volunteer for this year’s PRIDE! Please contact Kara at
kfultz_15@hotmail.com for more information, and continue to check out their website for events throughout the year. Pride, thank you dearly for your collaboration on all levels!
Fort Wayne Peace Action
http://www.fwagitator.org/Activists for peace and justice
For more information, please contact Dave Lambert at
dl2001@comcast.net.
The Chorus of Fort Wayne
http://thechorusoffortwayne.org/index.htmThese are beautiful people performing beautiful music! For bookings, auditions, or any questions, email
TCoFWinfo@Yahoo.com or call Jay Heare at 260-249-8229.
GLBT Resource Center of Michiana
1522 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, IN
Tricia Wainscott, Director
Director@glbtmichiana.org This is the organization for which I am now volunteering. J
GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educators Network
www.glsen.orgThis is a phenomenal professional organization and an invaluable resource for anyone who works with GLBTQA youth. They have been an exceptional support to us.
Human Rights Campaign
www.HRC.orgwww.HRCbackstory.orgAs you well know by now, these sites are an incredible wealth of information. Follow
www.hrcbackstory.org, especially, for breaking GLBT news, and sign up for HRC’s Action Alerts.
Indiana Equality
www.indianaequality.orgWorking to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Indiana
Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance
www.intraa.orgFighting for your right to be who you are
IPFW’s Department of Theater
http://www.ipfw.edu/vpa/theatre/You can always count on them for an amazing show!
Lambda Legal
http://www.lambdalegal.org/Leonard Helfrich, Lead for Indiana
Helf2580@comcast.net Organizing for America
http://www.barackobama.com/Hyland Plimpton, Lead
Hwplimp@gmail.com Plymouth Congregational, United Church of Christ
http://www.plymouthfw.org/Leaders in the community in working for peace and justice
Open and affirming to the GLBTQA community
PFLAG
http://pflagfw.koolhost.com/PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends. They are our adoptive parents, and have collaborated with us on nearly every endeavor.
PFLAG meets every 2nd Monday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 501 W Berry St., Fort Wayne
For more information please call Stan at (260) 497-8528 or email Roger at
rmcnett04@att.net.
Reality Magazine Online
www.realitymagazineonline.comRob Grayless and Mary Clifford, Publishers
Speak OUT Community Center
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=121022006016&h=OayJ4&u=_4_cjContact Josef Holmes at
JosefHolmes8@gmail.com to learn how to become involved!
The Word
http://www.the-word-online.com/Serving the Midwest GLBTQA community
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne
http://www.uufortwayne.org/uufortwayne@verizon.net, 260-744-1867
YWCA of Fort Wayne
http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=juI0KhM0IxF&b=709463Committed to diversity, dialogue, education, and empowerment