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In light of the recent surge in violence and threats against our community, the urgency for action has never been more palpable. Across 43 states, an unsettling wave of over 550 bills has been introduced, resulting in more than 80 laws being passed—double the previous year’s count. Incidents relating to sexual orientation reached 1,947 in 2022, a notable increase from 1,711 in 2021, while gender identity-related incidents rose to 469 from 353. AVP’s landmark LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces Protection Project National Needs Assessment found in that same year, more than 3 out of every five LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses experienced hate violence.
This period of increased violence is a stark contrast to the hard-won rights we have fought for over the past five decades.
The silver lining during these challenging times is the strong foundation that AVP has built over the last 50 years, both locally and nationally. Executive Director Bev Tillery, a thought leader and social justice advocate, has dedicated the last 8 years to elevating AVP’s work. While bittersweet, her decision to transition leadership presents us with a unique opportunity: to welcome a new leader armed with a new strategic vision and to increase our impact during this challenging time.
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A Special Campaign in support of AVP’s Leadership Transition
The Sustainable Leadership Fund has the ambitious goal of raising $1 million over the next three years. These funds will underwrite our executive transition process, empower the new leader to implement our strategic priorities, and establish a sustainable support base for AVP’s core work beyond the transition.
Your support of the Sustainable Leadership Fund is more vital than ever as we strive to implement the goal of our new strategic plan—to overcome institutional and organized hate threatening our communities’ safety.
With the future in mind, now is also the perfect moment to consider a planned gift to AVP through a bequest in your will or by making AVP a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy.
Connect with our development team to discuss planned giving opportunities.
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Make a special gift or pledge, payable over three years, or consider becoming a monthly/sustainable donor.
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Join our Sustainable Leadership Fund Committee to increase visibility and funds for AVP by reaching out to your network—we’ll assist you every step of the way.
Together, we can create a safer city and nation for LGBTQ+ people.
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AVP’s New Strategic Priorities
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Leading national efforts to address threats to community safety through community education and training programs and legislative and media campaigns to change policies.
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Strengthening AVP’s local work in anti-violence activism via advocacy, organizing and direct support for survivors, by expanding legal services and our hotline, and building an activist rapid crisis response team.
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Increasing AVP’s recognition nationally and with its current stakeholders, better utilizing communications tools and staff and volunteers as ambassadors and spokespeople.
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Increasing AVP’s recognition nationally and with its current stakeholders, better utilizing communications tools and staff and volunteers as ambassadors and spokespeople.