Triangle Foundation is Michigan’s foremost statewide, civil rights organization and is a leader in effective, innovative and visionary grassroots organizing and advocacy for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Triangle Foundation was founded after a small group of LGBT community leaders realized that there were no effective advocates in Michigan for victims of LGBT related hate crimes. One of the founders knew this problem firsthand when his partner was brutally and senselessly murdered simply because he was gay. The police response was that this was apathetic and offensive, so the investigation into his death ended before it even began. Since that tragedy Triangle has advocated for thousands of victims of LGBT related violence and discrimination.
Realizing that simply advocating for victims was not a solution to the larger problem of inequality in society, Triangle has strategically expanded into other areas of advocacy, community building and grassroots organizing. Triangle Foundation is comprised primarily of five different Programs – Victim Services, Policy, Public Education & Outreach, Community Events, and Youth Initiatives. Through these program areas, we plan on empowering the LGBT community to become more involved in the civic process, educate the larger community and eliminate violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons.
Today Triangle Foundation is one of this nation’s oldest, largest and most successful statewide LGBT organizations. The organization has a reputation for relentlessly and unapologetically pursuing strategic efforts to gain true equality for all LGBT persons regardless of how challenging or culturally unpopular the issue may be. Triangle has been involved with convicting dozens of perpetrators of crimes committed against actual or perceived LGBT persons. Our staff and volunteers have authored and lobbied for city, county and statewide pieces of legislation advancing LGBT rights in Michigan. Many active LGBT organizations in Michigan acknowledge Triangle as a primary reason why they were successfully formed and why they have remained active. We also produce the largest LGBT events in Michigan bringing together tens of thousands of LGBT persons and allies at several events each year.
Triangle’s staff is a diverse group of people who are considered national experts in their respective areas of work. Triangle’s Board of Trustees is an intentionally diverse sixteen member board comprised of lesbian, gays, bisexual, transgender and allied community leaders from all areas of Michigan. Our advisors are an impressive group of individuals who support our causes and advocate for change in their contributions to our organization.
Triangle Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity.