Comments (edited and abridged) by State Senator Paula Aboud (D) at the Alliance Fund 2010 Awards Event

“We are here today to honor those of you who truly believe in the concept of giving back to our LGBT community. We, as community members, have been philanthropists for generations, but only in the last decades have we as a general community come to see that our role needs to extend into helping our own. And that is part of the greatness of the Alliance Fund.

“We celebrate your 10-year anniversary of assisting the members and groups that make up our proud and gay community…The times are so hard in this country and in Arizona and I don't only mean hard for our economy…and those who suffer the most from the lack of services are the most underserved populations, those who lack representation.

“Fortunately, in the Arizona legislature, what you may not know is that we have three gay men, a lesbian, and one bisexual legislator. We all do our part to stand up for our rights as best we can. The political reality is difficult. Most legislators across the aisle not only want to close down public schools, put educators in their place, cut back on funding public services, they would love to eliminate government…and maybe us.

“It is hard for our young and old who don't fit the mold. Do you know that one in 14 students today contemplate suicide, and that many of them are our gay, lesbian, and transgender youth? And that our beleaguered schools today offer little assistance that speaks to their unique pain in growing up?

“Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges.  Giving isn't about party politics…it's about caring enough to step up to help. And that is where the Alliance Fund and all of you have stepped up to help. … the society is more open to discussing bequests than ever before. An associate director of Northwestern University's Center for Nonprofit Management says that endowment giving ‘…speaks of the sophistication of nonprofit organizations being more focused on long-term sustainability and insuring the future. People feel more security that we (including gay philanthropies) are here to stay and are fulfilling a purpose, so more are thinking of LGBT foundations as places to leave their bequests….'

“In general, our LGBT community in need stands to gain so much from the philanthropy of our community. Most of us don't have children to leave our estates, we are oftentimes estranged from the straight members of our birth families…we are in a perfect position to help our own.

“Thank you for being the leader in philanthropy for our community…it is you who should be honored today…and I honor you.

“Let me say in closing that civil rights are won when we are joined by our non-LGBT allies and friends. I cannot say enough about the importance of a supportive word at a critical time. My one story about David Fitzsimmons (ed. note: also honored by the Alliance Fund on this night-see following story) is this: After the devastating breach of ethics at the Legislature--when the only way the opposition could stop the filibuster I and a gay colleague were engaged in (to prevent a vote on putting an anti-same-sex constitutional amendment on the ballot) was for them to shut off my microphone--David Fitzsimmons saw me and called me a beautiful name, like I was a hero. ‘I was uplifted, David, by your open honor to me. That helps me to know who is standing beside me/us in this long journey for equality.' ”

Comments (edited/abridged) by David Fitzsimmons, editorial cartoonist for the Arizona Daily Star, on being saluted at the Alliance Fund 2010 Awards Event

“Your enemies will always be my enemies. For your foes are the voices of irrationality and fear and ignorance. And they are the root of untold unnecessary suffering.

“I see here a group of great Americans; relentlessly fearless, self-reliant and compassionate.

“I must confess to being emotional receiving this honor. I owe my presence here to lessons learned from members of the (LGBT) community throughout my life. Three teachers come to mind on this night. First, my dear late elder sibling, a decorated veteran of Vietnam; a medic who volunteered for two tours—this handsome, charming and exceedingly masculine man was a closeted man. As a consequence, I saw a good human suffer. I saw needless tragedy and came to understand in my heart that it was not a choice—it was biology.

“The second teacher was Tom Turner, a great journalist and editorialist who informed a naïve colleague that: ‘It's not all about sex, it's about the longing to sustain a romantic attachment to another human being.' In my youth I learned that love happens to all of us and should be celebrated.

“Rich and Clark were the third lesson givers. By example, they modeled for this straight man…how a committed couple could and should relate to one another; with unconditional forgiveness, kindness, good humor and infinitely supportive tenderness. They taught me what an enduring love looks like. These teachers melted my childlike fears and ignorance like mist and opened my heart to countless blessings and joys in the form of treasured friendships.

“And anyone who wants to argue otherwise will get a punch in the kisser from me.”

Comments (edited) by Lori Hoby, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona's Center for Planned Giving at the Alliance Fund 2010 Awards Event

“Thank you for inviting me to say a few words about the Alliance Fund and Community Foundation for Southern Arizona partnership. We are all represented—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, straight, and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. Created by and for the people of Southern Arizona, the Alliance Fund was established to help donors make a positive impact in the entire Southern Arizona community.

“Let's go back in time 10 years. The Alliance fund was: a commitment to diversity; took chances; led the way; engaged in the most creative and innovative grant-making in the history of our organization; made a significant impact on bringing an entire community together.

“Ten years ago, the Alliance Fund was part of a national initiative.

“Today, the Alliance Fund at the Community Foundation has outlived most other national efforts.

“This is a testament to each and every one of you. Through your passion, dedication, emotional and financial support, you have succeeded in building a permanent charitable fund.

“Please embrace yourself, your family and your friends in your success.”

(and while hoisting a glass) “Cheers to a lifetime of 10 years.”