About the LGBTQ Foundation of Kansas
The LGBTQ+ Foundation of Kansas started simply enough with a Facebook page that was created to give LGBTQ+ people in Kansas a place to communicate, make friends, and share their stories in a safe and affirming environment. The idea for a queer-safe online platform came after a tragic event shook our founder’s community. He questioned how, in small-town, rural Kansas, he did not know that there was another transgender person just a few minutes away.
When news of the person’s suicide came to light, our founder felt overwhelmed with responsibility to help make a change. He understood that LGBTQ+ Kansans lacked access to resources and community support. The online support group started in 2019 and has since grown to almost 3000 members. The LGBTQ+ Foundation of Kansas was founded in 2021 to expand upon the original idea of Kansans helping Kansans. The spread-out, low-population, rural communities in Kansas make it difficult to navigate meeting and connecting with other queer people nearby. By creating a network of allies, businesses, and queer folks, we hope to improve the lives of people in the state.
Our mission is to educate about LGBTQIA+ issues, work with organizations and individuals to help bring resources to Kansas communities, and assist community members in using their skills to help each other.
Our organization seeks to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ people in Kansas. Therefore, programs will grow and change over time. We are a membership-based organization that uses our member’s input for program ideas and development. As state and federal laws change, young queer people age up, and awareness grows, we hope to continue fighting for your — our — needs!
Board of Directors and Staff
The LGBTQ+ Foundation of Kansas is run by an elected Board of Directors, with one staff member, the Executive Director. Board meetings take place once every quarter and are announced one month ahead of time. At-large board positions are open year-round. For inquiries about becoming a board member or attending a board meeting, please contact us!
Executive Director Spotlight
Matthew Neumann (Sir/He/Him/His) is the Executive Director and founder of the LGBTQ Foundation of Kansas. He has held this position since 2020.
“The Foundation is my legacy to the community. It exists not just to gather resources, but to prove that the community itself is a powerful resource. When we connect people, support, and care, we create change that strengthens our community and extends outward to other communities as well.”