Money Talks. But What Does It Say?

Many of the confrontations over religious liberty in our day center around LGBTQ issues. More specifically, whether or not Christian business owners can be forced to provide services for events that violate their deeply-held religious beliefs — i.e., same-sex marriage and gender transition, to name two.

Such confrontations have manifested in both the judicial and legislative branches of government. And they carry a high price tag.

Religious liberty lawfirms like First Liberty Institute, Alliance Defending Freedom, American Center for Law and Justice, and the Thomas More Society rely on charitable donations in order to provide their services on a pro bono (free) basis to their clients.

Last night, I came across the one individual who has, according to Rolling Stone magazine, “methodically, often stealthily, poured $422 million of his fortune into the cause of equal rights for the LGBTQ community — more than any other person in America.”   

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/meet-the-megadonor-behind-the-lgbtq-rights-movement-193996/

His name is Tim Gill.

A computer programmer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tim founded Quark, Inc. — a pioneering page layout software company. Then sold his 50% share in 1999 for $500 million. JStar LLC is his latest venture — a technology start-up applying voice-controlled artificial intelligence technology to home automation.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Gill

He is widely credited as “a visionary strategist and mega-donor to virtually every major LGBTQ victory in the United States.” Including the years-long legal battles that made same-sex marriage legal — first in Massachusetts, then later in all 50 states.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Gill

The Gill Foundation, established in 1994 as a Denver-based non-profit, was one of the first funders of efforts to build public support for same sex-marriage.  Through underwriting of academic research, polling, data analytics, field organizing, and strategic high-impact litigation, the Foundation helped change public support for same-sex marriage from 25% to 60% of Americans.  https://gillfoundation.org

The Gill Action Fund has helped elect hundreds of “pro-equality” lawmakers at local, state and federal levels. Claiming, in its first election year (2006) to have defeated 50 of the 70 “anti-LGBT” candidates it targeted.  https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/meet-the-megadonor-behind-the-lgbtq-rights-movement-193996/

Outgiving, another pro-LGBT philanthropy founded by Tim, brings together many of the country’s most generous pro-LGBT donors every two years to discuss (and help direct) philanthropic strategies.  http://www.outgiving.org/about

What’s next for Tim?

He and his allies are focused on “nondiscrimination.” Defeating — and eliminating, where possible — Religious Freedom Restoration (and related) legislation allowing faith-based businesses (and others) to decline services or access to the LGBTQ community on the basis of religious liberty objections.

In Tim’s own words, “We’re going to punish the wicked.” Meaning Christians advocating for religious liberty, if such advocacy runs counter LGBTQ ideology.

https://gillfoundation.org/priofities/family-recognition/  AND   https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/meet-the-megadonor-behind-the-lgbtq-rights-movement-193996/

Tim is a rich man. At least as far as money goes. And in our society… Money Talks.

But what does it say?

What say you?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can… EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at https://calendly.com/diana-furr.

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