Dear
friends,
We started this
campaign to build and fund the nation’s first GLBT outreach center over one and
half year ago. In October 2007 after 20 months under an oppressive government –
it collapsed and a new government of tolerance was elected.
Poland’s GLBT community had
several setbacks struggling against a pro-Roman Catholic mentality and staunch
political nationalist elements even disagreement within opposing GBLT camps but
some citizens in the new republic.
“Friends of Szymon Foundation” accomplished
many things under enormous pressure and against amazing insurmountable odds – it
took time, money and friends like you – legal paperwork to gaining a NGO status (Nongovernmental agency
tax-deductible status.) They have negotiated a three year building lease for
the project to facilitate an HIV
outreach and education point, GLBT HELP
HOTLINE, professional interfaith and counseling point,
etc.
The enormous task of
raising the final 32, 000 Euros to
complete the organizations building agreements on the lease of the physical
space remains. This press release being sent out today is solely aimed towards
recruiting, 1,600 international
“Friends” to donate 20 Euros or
more (tax-deductible) BEFORE
28 April 2006 our mission would be
accomplished.
The annual Warsaw Poland Gay Pride will be held in
June – “Friends of Szymon
Foundation” is not affiliated with the festival itself although
Szymon Niemiec founded the event
in 2001. If you help us and
encourage your friends to also help ‘Friends
of Szymon Foundation” would be well positioned to participate in
“after” party festival hosting a worldwide “Homo erotic” Art festival. The foundation
has several worldwide artists in film, print, photography etcetera who have
volunteered to contribute to an unprecedented month long forum in June. This
event would be hosted in the new GBLT Outreach facility which you can aide in
establishing. International artist interested in participation may contact
“Friends of Szymon Foundation” for
additional information.
Help “Friends of Szymon Foundation” make history
on both accounts by contributing 20
Euros or more today. A unique opportunity has presented itself, if
we wait idly by the time, our time will pass. We cannot afford to seize this
moment, we could miss a unique opportunity to expand dialogue and gain our
footing while the oppressive homophobic rhetoric has mellowed – it’s only a
brief respite for us until the next election. With your assistance now we’ll be
more organized and prepared. We do not want to be forced to be returned into the
closets.
Why
should you contribute? Because a safe place
for the community to assemble and organize is sorely needed in Poland.
It is our responsibly to ensure that future GBLT generations and ourselves are
not denied sharing in the freedoms guaranteed in our new democratic republics
constitution; the right to self–determination and basic human dignity is the
birthright of every citizen of any democratic
society.
Thank you very much
for your support.
Friends of Szymon
PS. Help us by spreading this message, also join us on
www.twitter.com (ADD US: contact@friendsofszymon.org)
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