GM gives gay center a $10,000 donation
Activists say they hope gift marks new attitude
March 1, 2000
BY AMY KLEIN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Affirmations, the state's largest gay and lesbian community center, is getting some affirmation from General Motors Corp. to the tune of a $10,000 donation -- the first gift of its kind from GM.
The gay community hailed the donation as historic, saying the gift from one of the state's more conservative companies signals a shift in attitudes and could encourage gay and lesbian employees to come out in the workplace.
"First the closet doors came open and now the financial doors are open," said Leslie Ann Thompson, executive director of the Ferndale-based center that offers counseling and youth-group activities.
The donation -- the largest Affirmations has received from a corporation -- bought GM a spot on the marquee of the Royal Oak Music Theater for Affirmations' flagship fund-raiser in April, the Big Bash.
For GM, as well, the donation is a milestone. Although GM and its philanthropy arm, the General Motors Foundation, give $70 million to various causes each year, it never has donated money to a gay and lesbian organization. GM historically has turned down donation requests from other gay and lesbian organizations, such as the Triangle Foundation, said Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of the advocacy group in Detroit.
"I think this signals an opening of the doors," said GM spokeswoman Marcia McGee, who added that the company was acting on the recommendation of some of its gay and lesbian employees.
In recent years, the state's auto companies have become more inviting to the gay community. GM, Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler all have internal employee resource groups for gays and lesbians, and all three companies have revised their policies to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
In addition, Ford and DaimlerChrysler have made large donations to national gay and lesbian groups and to the Hope Fund, which funnels money to gay organizations.
However, gay activists caution that although GM's contribution proves the company is willing to put its money where its mouth is, there are still hurdles ahead. For instance, none of the state's auto companies offer benefits to same-sex domestic partners.
"It's just wonderful that they are supportive," said Montgomery. "But what should be noted is that companies are still reluctant to support gay and lesbian organizations."
Contact AMY KLEIN at 248-591-5629 or
[email protected].
:x 
