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ACLU of Michigan honors lawyer, Arcus Foundation at dinner

by Jessica Carreras

DEARBORN – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan held its annual dinner and awards reception on Nov. 22 with a full crowd at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn.
The night included the recognition of local lawyer David Moran, a cooperating attorney with the ACLU of Michigan who has represented them in three criminal court cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as worked as a volunteer lawyer for years.
Also recognized was the Arcus Foundation, which provides funding to both the conservation of the world's great apes and the LGBT movement in the state.

"We're very honored to be the recipients of this award," said Arcus Executive Director Urvashi Vaid. "The ACLU is a trusted partner of many, many human rights organizations and civil rights organizations and Arcus has been a foundation that supports the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."
The Arcus Foundation, which provides grants and support to such organizations as the Triangle Foundation, Affirmations, Michigan Equality, the Black Pride Society and others, was honored for their unwavering commitment to LGBT rights and the $1.3 million they have donated over their eight years of existence.
"The area of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights is not a widely developed field within philanthropy yet," Vaid said during her acceptance speech. "In fact, the Arcus Foundation is among the pioneers in this area. Fewer than .1 percent of the philanthropic resources in this country go to support LGBT human rights. Globally, the number is even smaller… . The Arcus Foundation works to transform anti-gay prejudice to comprehension and respect."
World-famous philanthropist, civil rights activist, musician and actor Harry Belafonte was the keynote speaker for the event, the theme for which was based on his 1978 song "Turn The World Around."
"We are all the human race has an interdependence and all of my life as an artist, I've tried to show this diversity is something that should be embraced and not feared," he said of the meaning of the song. "As we get more and more into our rhythm as a species, there's certain moments that erupt and say 'look how good it is,' like the one we're in right now. America is at a crucial place and it's a wonderful moment for the nation. I think Obama and the way that things are going kind of validates the idea that we all belong together."
During his speech, Belafonte spoke much about his past work in the civil rights movement and its connection to the recent election of President Elect Barack Obama.
However, Belafonte noted that the pressure was on everyone – not just Obama – to make change happen. "Barack Obama, with all the joy that we feel, is still mortal and the problems he's facing are really monumental," he said. "…there's a globe out here that will no longer be dominated by (America's) imperial past. The world insists on being heard and participating and Barack Obama's going to have to get his arms around that and there's a lot out here to do."
Belafonte's words rang true for many movements, including the LGBT community, which has hopes that Obama will work to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act, as well as create national protections from discrimination.
The outcome, Belafonte said, is up to all Americans. "As much as much as we expect of the President Elect, we should expect of ourselves as well as citizens," he advised. "He cannot be left adrift. There's a lot of people knocking at his door and a lot of people putting notes on his table. We just have to be among those that are in the forefront."

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