Source: Grand Rapids Press, Between the Lines, Triangle press release
GRAND RAPIDS -- As the Triangle Foundation prepares for an open house Tuesday, one local politician says there are two ways of looking at the location of a gay-rights organization in West Michigan.

"It's unfortunate to me that an organization like Triangle feels it needs to be here," said East Grand Rapids Mayor Cindy Bartman, noting that Triangle Foundation works to stop violence against gays.

The other way of seeing things is more hopeful.

"West Michigan is at least willing to open the conversation we need to get to know each other," Bartman said. "Through the identification of the things we have in common as people, we're going to find our way through this issue."

Sean Kosofsky, policy director for the foundation, said in an article for Between the Lines, "Triangle has been welcomed with open arms, by a vibrant, healthy, and incredibly creative community of LGBT individuals and allies."

In a press release, Triangle Foundation said that the group's first field office -- which it had originally hoped to open a year ago -- will allow it to extend all of its activities, from education on LGBT issues, to organizing and coordinating pro-LLBT efforts with existing organizations, to acting as a referral for victims of anti-LGBT hate crimes, harassment and discrimination.

The expansion is supported by a grant from the Kalamazoo-based Arcus Foundation.

"Unfortunately, anti-gay bias and discrimination don't end at the city limits of metro Detroit. Nor is it confined within the walls of our state's Capitol. Anti-gay hate crimes, bias, harassment and discrimination are problems all over Michigan. With the help and generous support of our many individual donors around the state and the support of the Arcus Foundation, we are opening this office as our first step in meeting and fighting anti-GLBT actions where they happen - all over the state," said Jeffrey Montgomery, Triangle Foundation's executive director, in December, 2006 when plans for the office were first announced.

Bartman will be on hand at the open house, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Triangle Foundation's new field office at 343 Atlas Ave. SE.

She will greet guests and make remarks at the opening. She said her city has a long tradition of welcoming others, including being the only city in the area to vote against a ban on gay marriage. She said East Grand Rapids High School was the first in the area to form a Gay-Straight Alliance.

Political figures, advocates, and citizens from around the state also will welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender visibility to West Michigan on Tuesday.

Triangle Foundation rented space from the Lesbian and Gay Community Network of Western Michigan (The Network) which it has renovated. Together the groups hope to collaborate and further develop East Town's burgeoning LGBT hub, Kosofsky said.

Full article: Gay rights group opening field office on Atlas Ave. | Grand Rapids Press
All Politics is Loco: Go West | Between the Lines
Triangle Foundation to Open Office in Western Michigan | Triangle press release (12/06)