Together, we will continue to prevail and build a more just society.
Horizons Responds to Stories in the News
January 3, 2018 – Three Bouys to Navigate 2018
A message from Horizons’ president, Roger Doughty:
A new year always offers a moment to reflect on the year gone by and the year ahead. Many, of course, make personal resolutions. For me, January’s also a time to consider what’s going on around us – and what lies ahead for our LGBTQ community.
The madness of the moment
The holidays, unfortunately, brought zero respite from the madness of the political moment we’re in. The entire picture remains alarming. Many friends closed out 2017 by saying “good riddance.” It was an extremely difficult year, as we saw many of the rights we’ve worked so hard for be threatened. 2018 will likely be little different, and our team at Horizons is already thinking about how to respond to some of the critical issues ahead (the Supreme Court’s decision on Masterpiece Cakeshop is just one that we have our eye on.)
When I doubt
I’m fundamentally an optimist. One doesn’t last decades in this movement if one isn’t. Yet I still have occasional moments of doubt. I suspect most of us do.
At those moments, three things help to buoy me through. The first is remembering Horizons Foundation’s grantees and the limitless creativity, determination, vision, and impact of what they do – despite all the tides running against them.
I think of the young lesbian with the Young Women’s Freedom Center speaking at our grantee breakfast about finding support in a group for formerly incarcerated women. I think about the roomful of energized leaders of LGBTQ nonprofit boards of directors participating in Horizons’ Board Leadership Bootcamp, and the small groups around the country that raised more than $750,000 for their work through Horizons’ national Give OUT Day initiative.
My second buoy is simply our history of struggle and progress. Although our movement has suffered immense losses and disappointments over the past 50 years, we’ve also pushed history forward again and again, and achieved what once seemed nigh-impossible victories. Collectively, we are resilient, courageous, battle-tested – and powerful.
The third buoy that I carry into 2018 is this: the sheer number of people in our community who’ve stepped up in this time of extremity. Thousands who’ve newly volunteered their time. Thousands who’ve marched in the streets and protested at airports. Thousands who’ve have raised their level of giving. Thousands who’ve not been beaten down by floods of distressing news and risen to declare that we are a country that embraces inclusion, equality, and justice.
There’s no shrinking from the fact that we’ve a huge amount of work cut out for us. But when I remember these three things, I know that together we can not only stop some of the worst attacks, but make substantial and historic progress – even in these often mad and trying days.
December 18, 2017 – Supporting LGBTQ Refugees
Send a special holiday greeting by supporting refugees. For the 3rd year, Horizons is partnering with our partner Jewish and Family Community Services East Bay to support LGBTQ refugees settling in the Bay Area. With any funds donated, JFCS purchases gifts to help the refugees start their lives here. The refugees from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Senegal, and Uganda have experienced additional hardships this year with the administration’s changed stance on Muslims entering the country.
You can help. Make a donation on our website and in the Memo line, write: Refugees. 100% will go to support this worthy cause.
November 21, 2017 – Thanksgiving in Troubled Times
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, one could be forgiven for wondering just how much there is to be thankful for in these times, surrounded as we are by daily assaults on society’s most vulnerable, on our own community, and even on democracy itself.
This felt especially true yesterday, when we marked Transgender Day of Remembrance, which reminds us all about the murders of hundreds, very possibly thousands, of transgender people in countries everywhere. Started nearly two decades ago, TDOR has grown from a single town to a global event, honoring those who’ve been killed and bringing desperately needed attention to deadly violence against people who are doing nothing more than living their authentic selves.
Holding each other close . . .
The soul of Thanksgiving lies in gathering with people whom we love, with family, whether biological or chosen. I believe that it’s not only a time to gather our own circles of people we love – though it most certainly is that – but also to acknowledge the world in all its pain. Just as people who’ve been lost are often remembered at Thanksgiving tables, we must also remember all who have been lost due to injustice across this beautiful and terrible globe. Absent such reflection, joy in this season can seem a bit blind.
. . . and giving thanks
And, truly, there are overwhelming reasons to be grateful. I’m grateful this Thanksgiving for everyone who has chosen to resist the current regime and all that it stands for. I’m grateful for the victories – small and large – that the resistance has tallied; grateful for all those who’ve spoken out, including the women (and men) testifying to sexual harassment and assault; grateful for all the brave litigants, the tireless advocates, and the front-line activists keeping the right-wing juggernaut at least partly at bay.
More than anything, I’m grateful for those who give, whether to our LGBTQ community or however they believe will make life better for others – and especially for those with least. Whether gifts of money, gifts of kindness, or gifts of time, it is generosity – with those whom we know as well as those whom we don’t – that makes community possible.
I hope that you have many reasons in these coming days to be thankful, to remember those we have lost, and to commit, once again, to creating a world in which all LGBTQ people – and all people – can live with pride, dignity, justice, and joy.
In remembrance, gratitude, and hope,
Roger Doughty
November 2, 2017 – Support Napa and Sonoma Wineries
The wildfires that consumed large swaths of Napa, Sonoma and Santa Cruz counties left nothing behind but sadness and misery. We, at Horizons, are heartbroken by the devastating losses that so many of our friends and supporters suffered during the recent wildfires.
Following a gift from Horizons, many of you joined in supporting efforts through making a donation to the Napa Valley Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sonoma County. As foundations located in the areas of the wildfires, they are well positioned to meet many of the needs of their communities.
Horizons also proudly funds organizations in Napa and Sonoma counties and we have donors and staff who call these areas home.
Many have asked “what can we do now”? In addition to making a gift, consider visiting many of the wineries and other businesses in those regions. Horizons is proud to partner with many wineries for our various events throughout the year – some of them for many years. If you are considering wine for the holidays, or as gifts, we invite you to be part of #WineCountryStrong. Support one of the wineries that have supported us.
We are all stronger together.
Alpha Omega Winery
Blackbird Vineyards
Cade Winery
Castello di Amorosa Winery
Duckhorn Winery
Hafner Vineyards
Luna Vineyards
Odette Estate Winery
Opus One Winery
Paradigm Winery
Robert Mondavi Winery
Sullivan Vineyards
October 20, 2017 – California Leads the Way
While the rights we, as a movement, have fought so hard to obtain are being challenged in statehouses and in the Federal government, California continues to lead the way towards social justice. A bill sponsored by State Senators Toni Atkins and Scott Weiner, and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, will allow gender non-conforming individuals to get a gender-neutral birth certificate.
October 6, 2017 – Re-interpreting Law to Exclude Transgender People
In another reversal from Obama-era policies, the Justice Department has decided to narrow the interpretation of a Civil Rights Law to exclude transgender people. The law, which bans discrimination based on sex, is being interpreted by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to mean only “biological female and male”, so the law on discrimination does not apply to transgender individuals.
At Horizons, we believe that what affects one of us, affects us all. We strive for equality day in and day out and when one of us are attacked, we are all attacked. The Bay Area has the largest transgender population in the United States and Horizons is proud to support many organizations that are on the front lines of gender justice. While the Bay Area is fortunate to have organizations that serve the transgender community, many do not have the same types of support systems and liberty.
October 5, 2017 – A Growing Acceptance of Homosexuality
For the first-time ever, a majority of Republicans say that homosexuality should be accepted, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center. Overall, seven-in-ten now say homosexuality should be accepted by society, compared with just 24% who say it should be discouraged by society. The share saying homosexuality should be accepted by society is up 7 percentage points in the past year and up 19 points from 11 years ago.
October 3, 2017 – Equal Rights Across the Globe
September 12, 2017 – Honoring Edith Windsor
Horizons mourns the passing of one of the great pioneers of the LGBTQ movement, Edith Windsor. Windsor, whose landmark case led the Supreme Court to grant same-sex married couples federal recognition for the first time (as well as rights to a host of federal benefits that until then only married heterosexuals had enjoyed), died on Tuesday in Manhattan. She was 88 years old and is survived by her wife, Judith Kasen-Windsor.
Learn more about Edith Windsor and how her brave actions changed the course of history.
September 11, 2017 – Disaster Relief
Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have devastated large portions of Texas, Florida and tiny island nations throughout the Caribbean. While the hurricanes have fury for everyone – whether rich, poor, straight, or gay – vulnerable populations have been shown to be the most affected as their housing is often in low-lying areas, more susceptible to flooding. Many worthwhile organizations are already active providing temporary relief for these populations but we are proud of the work of the Rainbow World Fund and their partner, Feeding America, who are on the front lines, providing clean drinking water and food to populations, affected by this natural disaster. Our hearts go out to everyone who has experienced hardship and we applaud the work of Rainbow World Fund.
September 2, 2017 – Dreamers are Us
President Trump has chosen to end an Obama-era policy that protected the Dreamer population of young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. By ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the President is sending a clear message that these undocumented young people—who know no other country, who were brought here by their parents, and call America “home”—are unwelcome. The status of these Dreamers is now in jeopardy as they face a small window of time in which their legal status will depend on Congressional action.
Of the 800,000 plus Dreamers, it is estimated that more than 75,000 identify as LGBTQ or UndocuQueers (Williams Institute, February 2017). In the face of uncertain citizenship status, sexual orientation and transgender realities, UndocuQueers have decided to come out proud and strong and fight for the right to work, live, and love in the country in which they were raised and educated. If rounded-up and deported, these young people face an uncertain future as many of them come from countries that are inhospitable to the rights of its LGBTQ population and which they have never known. The President’s lack of action and moral clarity once again is the source of distress, fear, and uncertainty for minority and marginalized communities in the USA.
Horizons stands in solidarity and resistance with the Dreamers and all people who have come to this country dreaming of a better life. As members of the LGBTQ community, we understand that the struggle for equality under the law and a protection for vulnerable populations is part of our dream as Americans and that an affront on one is an affront on all. We believe that justice for LGBTQ people is inextricably tied to a larger movement for social justice for all marginalized communities.
August 28, 2017 – Together, We are Stronger
What to make of these past 72 hours? While a major hurricane started bearing down on Texas, the Trump administration signed a directive barring transgender military recruits. The fate of thousands of transgender members currently serving is uncertain, but the ban also forbids these members from accessing something that every other member of the armed forces receives: medically necessary health care.
On Friday, we also witnessed the gratuitous pardon of convicted criminal Joe Arpaio, the notorious former Arizona sheriff. The symbolism is lost on no one as Arpaio has long been a divisive figure, known for his cruelty, racial profiling, and unconstitutional abuse of Latinos.
All this, of course, comes while the outrage of Charlottesville remains raw. And as if that were not enough, some of the same right-wing extremists—white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and others who’d brought hate, havoc, and death to Charlottesville—decided to descend on San Francisco and Berkeley.
August 25, 2017 – No Hate SF
What to make of these past 72 hours? While a major hurricane started bearing down on Texas, the Trump administration signed a directive barring transgender military recruits. The fate of thousands of transgender members currently serving is uncertain, but the ban also forbids these members from accessing something that every other member of the armed forces receives: medically necessary health care.
On Friday, we also witnessed the gratuitous pardon of convicted criminal Joe Arpaio, the notorious former Arizona sheriff. The symbolism is lost on no one as Arpaio has long been a divisive figure, known for his cruelty, racial profiling, and unconstitutional abuse of Latinos.
All this, of course, comes while the outrage of Charlottesville remains raw. And as if that were not enough, some of the same right-wing extremists—white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and others who’d brought hate, havoc, and death to Charlottesville—decided to descend on San Francisco and Berkeley.
From the Castro, to Crissy Field, to Civic Center, Berkeley and beyond, people from every walk of life, with every color of skin, origin, gender, sexual orientation – and much more – stood up and had our voices heard. We demonstrated that there is no room for extremism or hate in our community. We issued one unified cry: “Not here, not anywhere.”
Horizons, in collaboration with Cleve Jones, became home to the NoHateSF fund. So far, more than $85,000 has been raised for leading Bay Area groups that advocate for and protect LGBTQ, immigrant, Muslim, African-American, Jewish, and other communities.
We’re aiming for at least $100,000 – you can still add your voice by donating at www.nohatesf.org
The resistance to the rise of extremism – and an extremist administration –has been succeeding – at least to a degree – because people have been standing up for each other. When immigrants were the targets, not only immigrants themselves protested – millions of their allies did as well. When health care for 20 million people was threatened, resistance came not just from those who might have lost their coverage, but from millions of others. When the ban on transgender service in the armed forces came out, angry responses came from our community – and from countless allies as well.
It is that solidarity that must be the bedrock of our opposition and of our building for the world that Horizons stands for: a world in which all people can live lives of equality, dignity, justice, and joy. Each of us, as LGBTQ people and as committed human beings, can and must stand together, even more than ever. It’s the only way forward.
Thank you for everything – everything – you are doing to stand up for justice in these trying times.
With gratitude and in solidarity,
August 14, 2017 – Say No to Racism
The horrific, violent, and immoral acts during the last few days perpetrated by hate groups – white supremacist, neo-Nazi, KKK, and Alt-Right – have left the community of Charlottesville and countless others traumatized and in pain. Unfortunately, these acts and events of hate are not new to our nation and communities, but our individual and collective work to advance justice and equality for all has endured and persisted, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
As an LGBTQ community that embodies the vast diversity of our society, we all have lived, experienced, and been part of social justice movements that have challenged us to be better than our adversaries. We find strength in our collective voices and actions, and honor the history of those who fought for us in the past so we can make a better future for those who follow.
Horizons Foundation continues to stand in community with all of you. We stand in resistance to hate and injustice while we continue to realize our mission of fueling the LGBTQ movement. Horizons will continue to fund organizations working locally and nationally for a better today and a more equitable tomorrow. We have no doubt that all of us, together, will continue to prevail and build a more just society.
