Wana Brands Foundation Announces $500,000 Gift to Out Boulder County’s “We All Belong Here” Capital Campaign in Honor of Clela Rorex
Media Contact:
Mardi Moore, Executive Director
Out Boulder County
Mobile Phone: 720.346.1836
Email: mmoore@outboulder.org
Wana Brands Foundation Announces $500,000 Gift to Out Boulder County’s “We All Belong Here” Capital Campaign in Honor of Clela Rorex
Boulder, Colo. (December 5, 2022)--The Wana Brands Foundation has announced a $500,000 gift to Out Boulder County’s “We All Belong Here” Capital Campaign in honor of Clela Rorex. This generous contribution will help secure a future for Out Boulder County and the LGBTQ+ community that we serve by furthering our mental health and advocacy work.
“Marriage equality has been a battle in Boulder County and beyond. Clela Rorex embodied that fight when she did what is right and provided marriage licenses to six LGBTQ+ couples who were in love in Boulder County in 1975,” says Nancy Whiteman, Founder of the Wana Brands Foundation. “Today as we see meaningful movement locally–and now at the federal level–Wanna Brands Foundation is proud to be the Foundation that cements Clela’s legacy at the Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains.”
On March 26, 1975, Boulder County Clerk Clela Rorex issued the first same-sex marriage license in the United States of America. She went on to issue five more before the Colorado Secretary of State issued a ruling that forbade any more be issued. These licenses and Clela’s brave actions gave hope to LGBTQ people throughout the world. Clela went on to be a long-time volunteer with Out Boulder County. Clela was also a champion for women, Native Americans/Indigenous communities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“Nancy Whiteman, the founder of the Wana Brands Foundation, and Clela Rorex have much in common. They are both trailblazers with an ever-present focus on the people they serve. Just like Clela, Nancy is generous with her time and treasure,” said Mardi Moore, Executive Director of Out Boulder County. “Each time I look at Clela’s name on the door to the board room I will remember that strong women actually can change the world.”
Out Boulder County will host a celebration to acknowledge this gift on the day that President Biden signs the Respect for Marriage Act, which is a meaningful step toward protecting marriage on a national level, but leaves work remaining to be done to guarantee a federal right to marriage equality.
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About Out Boulder County
Working independently and in collaboration, we facilitate connection, advocacy, education, research and programs to ensure LGBTQ+ people and communities thrive in Boulder County and beyond. www.outboulder.org