Just out., May 05, 2000, Page 10, Image 10

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Everyone is bom naked, M aking
a
D ifference
Just Out checks in with Equity Foundation's new executive director
is drag.
P H O T O B Y M A R T Y O A V tS
and everything after
by Jonathan Kipp
Equity Foundation
Executive Director
Matthew Nelson
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hether being paid or volun­
native Minnesota, Nelson wondered how he
teering his time, Matthew could impact his country around those issues.
Nelson has never been far
Years later, sitting in a community meeting
away from the world of non­ attended mostly by gay men and lesbians, Nel­
profits.
son
kind
3MU had
Iiau he a needed
Kina of
or epiphany
epipnany that gave him the
“I want to make a difference,” Nelson clarity
1
•
- - to continue the fight tor his
explains about his most recent career move.
community.
After a six-year stint on Equity Foundation’s
Nelson met an elderly woman and asked her
board of directors (as a volunteer), Nelson was
what brought her to the cause. Since she was at
hired as the organization’s executive director in
the meeting, he assumed she was close to some­
April.
one
who was gay or lesbian. The womans
Equity Foundation is a grant-making non­
response has stuck with Nelson.
profit organization that works to promote social
Its a civil rights issue. Every single person
justice, education and the welfare of sexual
deserves the same opportunities...this is about
minority communities in Oregon, and of people
justice! Nelson says about the lesson he learned
in general.
The organization was founded by a group of that evening. The issue is not just one of gay
rights but of peoples rights, he adds.
lesbian and gay Oregonians in 1989. Since its
Originally, Equity’s mission was to provide
inception, the foundation has granted more
funding for the gay and lesbian community
than $750,000 to nonprofit groups around the
exclusively,
but in 1994 Equity committed to
state. More than $87,000 was distributed in
making grants to organizations working for the
1999.
betterment
of the entire populace. While Equi­
The new director once felt that Equity’s
ty s focus remains on the sexual minorities com­
vision was “absurd” and asked for too much.
munity, Nelson says grants are made to all kinds
Nelson says the organization is committed to
of
groups.
playing a leadership role in working for social
Its a balancing act,” Nelson says about try­
justice for everyone. But now Nelson is con­
ing
to
work for the community at large while
vinced that Equity’s high expectations are part
keeping
focused on sexual minorities.
of the solution to bring about real change. He
Those historic roots to the LGBT commu­
says it is the reason he wanted the job.
nity are never going to go away,” Nelson con­
“Why do we dream small f’ 40-year-old Nel­
tinues, adding that more than 90 percent of the
son asks. “Why do we not say, ‘I want the Boy
grants made are intimately connected to sexual
Scouts to now be welcoming of gay and lesbian
folks. How can we help leverage thatf ’’
minorities.
Annually, Equity assesses unmet needs in
Nelson says the exciting part of his work is to
challenge all the systems in the state of Oregon
communities around the state. In 1999, Equity
chose to focus on reaching out to rural organiza­
to be sensitive and open and welcoming of all
tions. Of specific interest to Equity were sexual
people—including sexual minorities. Nelson, a
minority
youth and school safety.
minister ordained by the United Church of
Nelson says the goal was not only to provide
Christ, previously worked in administrative
roles for the United Way and the Camp Fire
grants to rural nonprofits, but also to connect
with communities and organizations.
Boys and Girls. His resume of volunteer work is
long and varied.
Last year the Gill Foundation, based in Col­
orado, challenged Equity and agreed to match
While living in Malaysia as a high school
dollar for dollar," Nelson explains.
exchange student, Nelson began noticing the
The Gill Foundation likes to get connected
inequality in people’s lives and started asking
to an organization and is willing to give it
questions that would eventually lead him to
social justice work. When he returned to his
money every year for a couple of years,” Nelson
says.
W
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A f
Oregon
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