Inaugural Member’s Report
2020: FLATTENING THE CURVE OF INJUSTICE
A Note from Ariadne
November 3rd, 2020
Friends –
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Ariadne Getty Foundation’s Member’s Report. Our goal is to illustrate the AGF’s commitment to global equality and inclusion for marginalized communities – none of which is possible without our member’s voices, support, and advocacy.
Thank you for all you do, even during these difficult times. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay loud, and remember to VOTE.
Dear Members,
As the AGF team. we are excited to bring you The AGF Member’s Report to keep you informed of the Foundation’s work, accomplishments and key LGBTQ issues we are addressing.
First and foremost, this report was released on Election Day as a final reminder to our allies of the importance our collective effort in supporting efforts to GET OUT THE VOTE! This election is incredibly important for the future of our nation, and even more so for the future of the LGBTQ community. It is our democratic responsibility to show up and use our voices.
Get Out the Vote
Ariadne Getty and the Foundation are passionate about supporting candidates up and down the ballot who advance human rights for every individual in this country and not those who rob marginalized individuals of their freedom and safety. That is why Ariadne Getty is proud to endorse the Biden-Harris ticket and contribute to the Biden Victory Fund to support their efforts to restore the soul of this nation. We, at the AGF, encourage you to do your part in this election for the future of our livelihood and democracy.
To support voting efforts, we rolled out a “Get Out and Vote” social media campaign to promote the importance of voting, especially in the 2020 election. Knowing the weight that this election holds and what is at stake for members of the LGBTQ community, it is the AGF’s top priority to inspire the community to vote!
Of course, during this challenging time, we know many cannot make a financial donation, so we encourage supporters to volunteer to help get out the vote— every bit helps and counts! And of course, please don’t forget to make a plan and cast your ballot. For more information on voting, and the importance of this year’s election for the LGTBQ community, we encourage you to visit GLAAD’s election resource site, and take their Pledge to Vote.
World Economic Forum
2020 may not be the year that most of us expected, but it still has been a busy and eventful year for The Ariadne Getty Foundation.
The AGF started out the year in January in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum. Fortunately, it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing us to connect with advocates and adversaries – ranging from Greta Thornburg to President Trump – to share our purpose and our hopes. A core piece to our work is using our platform on the world stage to provide education to everyone – regardless of their political ideology or position.
(left to right) Richard Quest, Sarah Kate Ellis, Ariadne Getty, Mark Getty, Marc Pritchard, Eilyn Shook, Dan Bross, and Geena Rocero participate in GLAAD and the Ariadne Getty Foundation’s panel discussion at the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The AGF partnered with GLAAD to host a panel (pictured left) entitled, “Leading on LGBTQ Acceptance”. The event was standing-room only and featured a who’s who of international leaders media, advertising, and business for a discussion on best practices for including LGBTQ people in internal policies and public communication. The panel was followed by a Fireside Chat with Geena Rocero, model, producer, and trans advocate, who interviewed Ariadne Getty on the state of trans rights globally.
The week of panels, and productive conversations and debates, was capped off by the AGF’s annual, intimate LGBTQ dinner with many notable guests and world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performing and attending in support of the LGBTQ community. You can read more about the AGF at the World Economic Forum here.
Continued Advocacy Amid COVID-19
As we all have experienced this last year, the world has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the international stay-at-home orders.
Like many global organizations, the AGF had to adapt in order to continue serving the LGBTQ community and financially supporting those affected. Through the Ariadne Getty Asylee Fund, the AGF made a donation to sponsor asylees throughout the world with help from the LGBT Asylum Project. Contributions will provide accessible legal representation for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or HIV status.
The AGF also served as the presenting sponsor for the Transgender Law Center’s SPARK! Gala to fight for justice and the advancement of rights for trans and gender-nonconforming people. While the SPARK! Gala took place virtually on October 16, we, nonetheless, continue to encourage you to donate to the cause.
JUNE 16, 2020
“This landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of the Title VII Civil Rights Acts is a major victory for the LGBTQ community and our country. I have dedicated my foundation to working towards LGBTQ protections and equal rights across the globe. While today we celebrate, tomorrow we must continue our fight for the freedom of all marginalized people.”
This past June was a monumental Pride Month with the Supreme Court’s landmark Title VII decision which ruled that sexual orientation and gender identity are included within the parameters of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The federal statute prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. This long-overdue ruling was a huge victory for LGBTQ people across the country. Read Ariadne Getty’s statement on the ruling in the following LA Blade article.
Although we celebrated this year’s Pride unconventionally, AGF joined with the LA Blade and Washington Blade to present the Blade Pride Chats series, sponsored by the Ariadne Getty Foundation on Facebook Live. The chats connected leading LGBTQ advocates from across the nation, to discuss all things Pride, including celebrating your first Pride, coming out, Pride in business, and the future of Pride across the globe. You can view the Blade Pride Chats on Facebook.
Ariadne and the AGF were also proud to contribute to Project Angel Food, an LA-based organization that prepares and delivers meals to those suffering from serious illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. The AGF continues to support Project Angel Food’s efforts, whose vital distribution of food reaches more than 200 recipients and growing each day.
Supporting Intersectional Activism
In response to the nationwide civil unrest after George Floyd’s death, the AGF took action to address racial injustice by teaming up with trans activist Geena Rocero and contributed to six Black Trans led advocacy organizations: The Marsha P. Johnson Institute, Brave Space Alliance, G.L.I.T.S, Black Trans Femmes in the Arts, For the Gworls, and The Okra Project. The AGF’s contributions will empower grassroots organizations to provide basic needs for the Black and Trans communities. We encourage you to read the Ariadne Getty Foundation’s statement of support for the Black Lives Matter movement here.
Ariadne’s work to achieve intersectional rights was recognized by the highly respected San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC), the world’s first openly gay chorus. The organization awarded Ariadne with its highest award, the Vanguard Award, for her trailblazing LGBTQ-driven philanthropic efforts at the chorus’s annual Crescendo Voices Rising benefit event. The award was a great honor for Ariadne and was presented to her by her children, August and Nats Getty, and Gigi Gorgeous Getty, which made it even more special.
Onward and Upward.
In early 2021, pending COVID-19 restrictions, the Los Angeles LGBT Center will open The Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Center in Los Angeles. This new senior housing center will provide housing and essential services to LGBTQ seniors in need. The AGF eagerly anticipates the new senior housing center’s opening, as it will provide much-needed housing and essential services to LGBTQ seniors in need. Although the grand opening will look a bit different than expected, everyone is looking forward to the virtual festivities.
Rendering of the Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Housing, scheduled for completion in early 2021.
This new community residence will house 98 low-income or homeless seniors and provide direct access to the Center’s Senior Services including health and wellness programs, employment assistance, financial literacy courses, social activities, and other basic need items.
The AGF Senior Housing will not only support the disenfranchised LGBTQ seniors in L.A. but will also serve as a national business model for organizations across the country.
To support the Center’s opening, the Ariadne Getty Foundation served as the presenting sponsor for the LA LGBT Center’s Love in Action telethon on September 12. Inspired by the audience’s enthusiasm and to keep the momentum going, Ariadne announced that the AGF would match all donations in the first thirty minutes of the show. By the end of the evening, the telethon exceeded expectations, raising an impressive $1.2 million dollars to continue the Center’s critical programs and vital services to those in need.
WELCOMING NEW STAFF MEMBERS
Shelly Fitzgerald is the Director of Programs for the Ariadne Getty Foundation. Her background is in youth education and counseling which serves as a springboard for her current dedication to LGBTQ activism and advocacy. Her work includes but is not limited to program assistance to LGBTQ organizations nationwide.
Shelly resides in Indianapolis with her wife, Victoria and their daughter Sofia. She holds an M.S. in School Counseling from Indiana University. She commits her time and energy to ensuring a world free of discrimination, inequities and injustices.
Matthew “Seth” Benoist is an advisor of the Ariadne Getty Foundation. He has always been passionate about advocating for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves, and for lending his voice to those who are disenfranchised. Having worked in both the hospitality and medical fields, Seth has always sought to provide comfort and support to those in need.
Originally from the Midwest, Seth moved to Los Angeles and attended the Art Institute of California. His passion and connections to various LGBTQ organizations will play a key role in the AGF’s work.
Best wishes,
The Ariadne Getty Foundation Team