Hate Crimes Legislation Passes Michigan House!

This morning Triangle Foundation Director of Victim Services, Melissa Pope, testified before the Michigan House Judiciary Committee to advocate for passage of the Michigan Anti-Bias Crime Statute (HB 6340 and 6341).

We are thrilled to report that this evening, the Michigan House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed this hate crimes legislation! 

As a result of Triangle Foundation’s 17 years of direct work with victims of anti-LGBT violence, our organization has seen the need for these kinds of protections, and we have advocated for hate crimes legislation for over ten years. This evening’s passage is a huge victory for our community and for our state!

This legislation enables law enforcement and the judicial system to appropriately charge and prosecute offenders when their actions are aimed at creating a climate of fear and intolerance. Michigan ranks third in the nation for the highest number of hate crimes. With Triangle Foundation reporting a 133% increase in anti-LGBT crime in 2007, the need for this legislation is imperative to send the message that hate is not a Michigan value.

We thank our partners who joined with us to make this victory possible including the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the ACLU of Michigan, and Michigan Equality. 
     
Please help support our work as we support victims of anti-LGBT violence and work for policy change in Lansing by making a donation today. 

Triangle Foundation is dedicated to promoting equality and securing freedom from violence, intimidation, and discrimination for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons throughout Michigan. 

Triangle Foundation Names Colette New Director of Communications

Congratulations Colette! 

Triangle Foundation Names Colette Beighley as
New Director of Communications

Triangle Foundation is pleased to announce that Colette Beighley has been named Director of Communications. Colette has been serving the organization for nearly two years as West Michigan Field Organizer. In that position, she helped established Triangle’s first field office in Grand Rapids and will continue to work out of our West Michigan office in her new role.

Triangle Foundation is proud to be able to bring a director-level position to Grand Rapids. This new appointment further demonstrates our work as a statewide organization and our commitment to West Michigan.

“It is an honor to serve the community and to work with this team of talented individuals. I look forward to the new role and the new challenges that lie ahead,” said Colette Beighley.

“Triangle Foundation is proud of the work Colette has done in West Michigan. Her new position will further build and enhance the many relationships she has formed there. Colette will bring her unique and respectful style to our written and online communications helping us to bring our message forward, reach out to our constituents, and build bridges within our many communities,” said Kate Runyon, Interim Executive Director for Triangle Foundation.
The communities of West Michigan have responded to the new Grand Rapids office with strong financial support recognizing our work to promote equality for LGBT persons throughout Michigan. Join us by becoming a member today!

Reel Pride Premieres in West Michigan!

Via Triangle Foundation: 

 

Join us at Wealthy Theatre on Tuesday, September 16^th

Reel Pride West Michigan debuts in Grand Rapids!

Enjoy the best of Lesbian & Gay cinema with this collection of short films!
From music videos to hot boys shorts to issues affecting us every day,these films explore the joys and tribulations of the LGBT community.

 The West Michigan LGBT community will vote on these filmsto help decide which will be shown at Reel Pride Michigan! 

Limited seating!

Get your tickets now!

Tuesday, September 16^th

6:30 p.m. Hors d’oeurves and beverages

8:00 p.m. film event begins

 

Tickets $20 – Proceeds to benefit Safe Schools in Michigan

 

Wealthy Theatre

1130 Wealthy St SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49506 

Get your tickets now!

For more information, contact colette@tri.org.

Message from Triangle

Just passing it along:

If you have been a victim of LGBT discrimination, bias crime, or intimate partner violence, stop by to speak with our Victim Advocate, Georgia Carpenter.  Georgia, who works in our Victim Services Department in Detroit, will be holding office hours at the Triangle Foundation West Michigan Field Office on Wednesday, September 3^rd.

Georgia has spent the past 13 years as an advocate and counselor for Spanish- and English-speaking survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. “I am looking forward to connecting with the West Michigan LGBT community.  I hope to visit Grand Rapids on a regular basis to address issues pertinent to this area of the state.  I look forward to my visit and invite you to drop by!”

Our Field Office is located at 343 Atlas Avenue SE, Suite C, Grand Rapids – inside the West Michigan Lesbian and Gay Community Network.  If you would like to set up an appointment for longer than fifteen minutes, please contact Georgia  at (313) 537-7000 x114 to schedule.