Perspectives by Contributor | Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

Every Voice Shines New Light

The value of an idea increases exponentially when it’s shared. From our staff, partners and grantees to the people impacted by their efforts, each perspective offers new insight into the critical issues at the heart of our work.

Matt Foreman Senior Program Director, LGBT Equality

Matt oversees the Fund’s extensive support for the drive for equal rights and opportunities for LGBT people.

Child on adult's shoulders, wearing rainbow colors at 2018 Pride March

Securing Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBT People Coast-to-Coast

June 14, 2021 | by

The need for a federal response to anti-LGBT discrimination

Senior program director Matt Foreman reflects on the road ahead for LGBT equality.

For the past 30 months, the singular focus of the Fund’s LGBT Equality program has been to support efforts aimed at educating policymakers about the urgent need for a federal response to anti-LGBT discrimination. As…

All-in Against LGBT Discrimination

March 30, 2021 | by

Investing in Federal Action to Protect the Rights of LGBT People

Haas, Jr. Fund joins with corporate, philanthropic partners to support a wide-ranging campaign for congressional action on anti-LGBT discrimination.

The Haas, Jr. Fund has partnered with a range of other funders—from private foundations to Fortune 500 companies—to support a nationwide educational campaign focused on anti-LGBT discrimination. The goal: securing c…

Two rainbow flags fly across the Supreme Court of the United States of America

Historic Win

June 16, 2020 | by

… and, Work Still To Do

Ruling highlights need for action to end all forms of discrimination against LGBT people.

At a time when people across the country are speaking out against racism and injustice, we have been reminded this week of the power of the law as a force for progress. In a decisive 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court r…

Individuals conducting messaging research

Breaking Through the Noise

September 25, 2019 | by

Research Effort Aims to Uncover How to Build More Support for Immigrants

Immigrant rights organizations, grassroots groups, and funders are combining in-depth conversations with quantitative research to find out what truly drives immigration opinions—and how to shift them.

Anti-immigrant rhetoric, fear-mongering, and violence have reached epidemic levels. Many people are understandably concerned that our nation has become hopelessly divided on the issue of immigration. The perception…

Businesses Unite Against Discrimination

June 12, 2019 | by

Open to All Campaign Signs Up 4,000 Businesses—and Counting

Leading companies and businesses of all sizes join forces against discrimination and say their doors are open to everyone on equal terms.

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe discrimination is wrong. They understand that our nation, our communities, and our organizations are stronger when we respect the human dignity of all people, and when e…

It’s Time for a Federal Solution to LGBT Discrimination

June 11, 2018 | by

Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision Shows Need for National Protection for LGBT People

Supreme Court ruling opens door to wave of new anti-LGBT laws in the states, makes federal action essential to protect LGBT families.

This piece was published by The Advocate. In the wake of last week’s inconclusive Supreme Court decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, here’s a prediction of what happens next: an…

5 Questions for Matt Foreman

July 12, 2016 | by

Reflections on recent events, from tragedy to triumph

Philanthropy News Digest speaks with senior program director Matt Foreman on recent events in the movement for LGBT rights

A year after the U.S. Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land, the LGBT community witnessed a day of unspeakable horror, as a gunman massacred forty-nine people and injured dozens at the Pulse night…

Winning Marriage Equality

June 22, 2016 | by

How funders joined together to back a movement that fought for equality, and won

It’s not every day in a social justice movement when you can actually win and say that the job is done, but in the case of marriage equality, that’s exactly what happened.

This article was originally published in the Washington Monthly on June 22, 2016. On June 26, 2015, history was made when the U.S. Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land. This victory for soci…

Every Voice Shines New Light

Perspectives by Matt Foreman

Matt Foreman Senior Program Director, LGBT Equality