Mid- Missouri
LGBT Coaltion

The Mid-Missouri LGBT Coalition (formerly Columbia/Mid-MO LGBT Coalition) was formed in February 2002 after a focus group, facilitated by Jeff Wunrow of PROMO, held a meeting to help the local community better organize and develop its resources. After 6 months of meetings, in which the first brochure-type directory was produced, the above name was approved and the original group of interested individuals decided this group should be more than a focus and advisory group.

In August 2002, the Coalition was born with its first Steering Group members. The mission and vision statement were also written and approved at this time.

Some things the Mid-MO LGBT Coalition has facilitated:

1.  Hosted the local Pride-Fest for the past 5 years.   In this time it has grown from a small intimate potluck - to a small festival that has garnered National & International attention as a focus in a documentary/news section "Profiles in Pride" by CBS - LOGO News. Which is still in reruns at least 3-4 times a year.  Attendance has grown from about 200 to about 900 + people in just 5 years. 

2.  Brought a nationally noted religious expert, Michael Adee to speak on reconciliation of faith & homosexuality for a marathon of 7 events in 5 days which included a 1 day workshop on how to move your faith organzation to become an open and affiriming denomination. In addition the national director of the major donor group - Patrick Sammon of the Liberty Education Forum attended these events. These events attracted over 250 attendees from a wide variety of faith backgrounds,sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic, race and age groups.
 
3. Co-hosted a national walk across A merica tour event to promote liberal Christian values that include accepting all people no matter their sexual orientation with a major local  event Freedom Sunday Jubilee working in conjunction with a multiple denomination including Islamic, Jewish, a wide variety of Christian denomination ranging from the Roman Catholics to the Quakers and Pagans.  Please see attached doc - re event please scroll through all the pages - you will recognize some folks.
 
4.  Has built a donor base that includes both liberal & conservative entities.
Including but not limited to the City of Columbia, The Log Cabin Republicans , The Peace Nook, a large variety of religious groups & individuals from a incredible wide variety of both believe systems & economic backgrounds .
 
5. Has a politically active leadership on their own time- that has consistently improved the LGBT communities image and relationship with both local & state government officials - elected & public servants.
 
6.  Has provided LGBT affirming TV shows on the local public access TV Station,  Paved the way for local LGBT & supportive groups to have equal access to advertise on the slide show of CAT TV & Media com channels.  Produced their own documentary that showed the personal struggles of mothers reconciling their conservative religious faiths with their love for their gay children. (Major Kudos to Bruce for this ground breaking work).
 
7.  Has provided a constant presence and collaborated with a large variety of non-profit & religous groups to raise the general public awareness of the LGBT Communities interests, needs,  & concerns.  (i.e.  The Mid-MO LGBT Coalition ensured that the general public was informed on the tragedy & lack of support structure for victims of same-sex domestic violence , both in the Rainbow Houses domestic violence lecture series & the Boone County Related Area Agenicies domestic violence presentations.)
 
8. Has both an a monthly involvement & cross board positions at the BCRAA organization and the Interfaith Council of Columbia and also helped to get the Columbia Volunteer network started & is a multiple year participant with the University of Missouri's Service Learning Program.
 
9.  Consistently worked with the news media gaining both print & TV news coverage for its events to provide education o the public (i.e. pridefest, conferences, editorials)  Has had both editorial & op ed pieces printed in both local papers on multiple occassions please see below for links to a few of the pieces.
 
These are just the tip of the iceberg, below are links to recent articles on the Coalition's activities.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - Jenny Baker
Exposing students to topic doesn’t dictate opinions
 
LGBT Coalition fest set for Stephens Lake
Coalition group seeks help for local events
Celebrating Volunteers 2007
Curator’s narrow view precludes inclusiveness
Equal protection under law means equal for everyone
Festival emphasizes gay pride
Federal marriage proposal criticized.

By GREG MILLER of the Tribune’s staff
Published Sunday, June 11, 2006

http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2006/jun/20060611news004.asp
Open doors, open hearts
Church members discuss struggles of gay Christians.

By MARCIA VANDERLIP of the Tribune’s staff
Published Saturday, April 29, 2006
size 9254 bytes - 6/11/2006

http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2006/apr/20060429feat002.asp
size 17104 bytes - 4/29/2006