HOLLAND –
Hope is Ready has initiated a "Silence Isn't Always Golden" campaign in an attempt to open communication and education about the need to end discrimination against LGBTQ people. And they are calling on like-minded individuals to help.
The student-led group, which formed on the Hope College campus when the school wouldn't allow filmmaker Dustin Lance Black to speak, has been working this year on the theme "silence isn't always golden," promoting the message that it's not only a problem of open discrimination we face, but more importantly it's the culture of silence surrounding LGBTQ issues that poses a serious threat to education and ending discrimination.
The culmination of those efforts is an April 14 fundraiser that it will raise money to foster education and conversation. Hope is Ready has partnered with student organizations and schools across the state, and hopes to grow the event as big as possible.
The fundraiser, a black-tie optional formal Masquerade Ball, will be held at DeVos Place in the Steelcase Ballroom.
"Please take a look at the website and consider attending and becoming a named partner," Hope is Ready urged in an email to Holland area organizations. "We need your help to make this dream come true."
Advance tickets are $30 apiece ($25 for students) and partner packages range from $150-$800. For more details, go to http://www.hopeisready.org/siag/
The quick details:
Who: Hope is Ready and all people who believe that a good way to educate and end discrimination is to foster conversation
Food, refreshments and entertainment will be provided
What: A black-tie optional formal Masquerade Ball fundraiser to garner the money to bring education and conversation about LGBTQ issues to Michigan
When: April 14 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: DeVos Place Steelcase room
