AROUND TOWN: A farewell toast to Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado

With tears and hugs, community supporters, staff members and caring friends gathered at the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado on Dec. 7 to toast the accomplishments of the past 15 years and to say goodbye. GLF is closing at year’s end, although the nonprofit’s grants to area groups will continue. Still to be determined: the fate of the building at 315 E. Costilla St.

The holiday party/wake paid tribute to 15 years of “changing the perception of being gay” after the hate spawned by Colorado’s Amendment 2 denying gay rights, said Executive Director Mary Lou Makepeace. There’s still much to be done, she said, but “gays and lesbians in Colorado, gay or lesbian students, gay cowboys could all stand a little taller. They were safer than ever.” People here became more welcoming and inclusive, she said.

Over the years GLF has been a major philanthropic donor, giving millions of dollars to wide-ranging groups covering arts and culture, healthy families, public broadcasting and more, said Makepeace.

Gill Foundation head Tim Sweeney was emotional as he thanked the GLF staff and said, “even with the closing of this building, the Gill Foundation is committed to Colorado Springs. As we proceed we will look at what is the way to make the greatest impact. We are committed to this fight for equality.”

Addressing the group of friends, Sweeney said, “We would not be where we are without the relationships that were built over the past 15 years.” And, looking at a tearful Mary Lou Makepeace, asked, “What can you say about her?” He called the much-honored Makepeace “a woman who is changing the world.” To Makepeace he said, “You are perhaps the best gift to the state of Colorado.”

With that, everyone shared a champagne toast and Makepeace showed the final gift to each guest, a tiny flashlight “for us to keep the beacon going, to keep shining the light on equality in Colorado.”

More photos: coloradosprings.com