Pride Fund Announces Billy Manes Memorial Fellowship
FELLOWSHIP WILL HONOR LATE BOARD MEMBER AND ORLANDO LGBTQ ICON BILLY MANES
WASHINGTON, D.C. Aug. 7, 2017 - Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC — America’s only national LGBTQ political organization focused solely on gun violence prevention — announced today a new educational program to honor Pride Fund Board of Advisors member Billy Manes, who recently passed away. The Billy Manes Memorial Fellowship is an educational fellowship that honors Billy’s lifelong commitment to political advocacy while also commemorating his mentorship and involvement in the founding of Pride Fund.
“Billy was an integral member of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence and was one of the LGBTQ community’s most outspoken advocates. He touched so many lives as a selfless friend, community supporter and a willing mentor,” said Jason Lindsay, founder of Pride Fund. “This educational fellowship will highlight rising stars in advocacy and give them a platform to protect the marginalized and to speak out for what is right. It will prepare emerging leaders for important positions in political advocacy by instilling in them the values that Billy embodied: determination, passion, and courage.”
A long-time columnist for the Orlando Weekly and most recently editor for Watermark, Florida’s leading LGBTQ newspaper, Billy was uniquely gifted with his ability to give voice to issues facing the community in a way that few could match. He ran for mayor of Orlando in 2005 as the first openly gay candidate in the city’s history and became an international figure representing his city in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting last year.
“Pride Fund would not be where it is today if it were not for Billy’s advocacy and tireless efforts immediately following the Pulse tragedy. Billy's insight and friendship were essential to our founding, and for that, we will be forever thankful. We hope that Billy’s legacy will live on through this educational program and provide a platform for new leaders to inspire change in America, just as Billy has,” Lindsay said.
About the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence
Pride Fund to End Gun Violence (Pride Fund) is a Political Action Committee (PAC), organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect pro-LGBTQ candidates at the national and state level who support sensible gun reforms.