In the News
Bruce was thrilled to receive the Equality Utah's 2022 Impact Award!
Take a moment to watch the video about Bruce and his impact in Utah.
We are sad to announce the passing of our dear friends and board members, Rick Ith and Brent Erkelens.
http://www.starksfuneral.com/obituary/2778-w4hgo5qfv0
Bruce received the University of Utah's School of Music's Camerata Award on November 22, 2019. The evening was filled with music and performance at the U of U's Libby Gardner Hall!
attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/celebrating-music-students-at-the-camerata-awards-concert-gala/
Bruce was honored to receive the Honorary Alumnus Award from the University of Utah on March 3, 2017.
Check out the video presentation!
Bruce Bastian (B.A. and M.A., Brigham Young University), a tech giant and philanthropist, has generously supported the U mission for decades in areas from the humanities to the hospital. Bastian cofounded WordPerfect, which revolutionized word processing and document-generating features still relied upon today in any word processing or email application. Bastian used his success to found the B.W. Bastian Foundation, which focuses its gifts on diversity, the underserved, and the arts in education. To the U alone, he has given 55 Steinway pianos, a major contribution for renovations to Kingsbury Hall, annual support to the University’s LGBT Resource Center and U Pride, and thousands of dollars to other areas, including a College of Social Work social justice speaker series.
LGBT Community leaders in Utah hold a press conference with leader of the LDS faith and elected officials to tout a groundbreaking Anti-Discrimination and Religious Freedom Bill!
Bruce and other Utah community leaders join HRC's President Chad Griffin in celebrating the Supreme Courts decisions regarding Prop 8 in CA and DOMA!
m.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile3/56522252-219/utah-marriage-gay-court.html.csp
Bruce and other LGBT contributers were honored to attend a private dinner with President Obama and to recognize the advancements made under his leadership toward full equality and help his reelection campaign.
www.towleroad.com/2012/02/obamafundraiser.html
Check out the stories about the Bastian Foundation's matching grant issued to the community in partnership with the LGBT Community Fund of Utah to help raise $100,000 for the only Homeless Boys Transitional House in Utah. A collaborative effort with the Volunteers of America and H.U.D., to create a safe haven for these homeless boys, most of which identify as gay or questioning.
www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/53147210-82/homeless-youth-voa-donations.html.csp
www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53123072-78/homeless-center-percent-youth.html.csp
DONATE NOW! Follow this link:
secure3.convio.net/voa/site/Donation2
Another news story in the Salt Lake Tribune as Bruce joins HRC President Joe Solmonese and local leaders to kick off the HRC's On The Road to Equality National tour:
www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52379251-78/rights-bus-lgbt-gay.html.csp
In the news again, Bruce comments to the Blade about Gay Donors and politcal races:
www.washingtonblade.com/2011/07/21/expensive-year-for-gay-donors/
Check out the article in the Salt Lake Tribune about the Bastian Diversity Lecture Series held at Westminster College:
www.sltrib.com/sltrib/lifestyle/50982520-80/class-jan-author-cooking.html.csp
Bruce speaks out after Mormon Apostle speaks about glbt youth being able to change their sexual orientation after a string of teenage suicides linked to their being or perceived being glbt:
advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/10/12/Mormon_Leader_Asked_to_Correct_Antigay_Statements/
www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50412276-76/packer-gay-lake-lds.html.csp
See the podcasts available on Itunes about Bruce's growing up, being married and coming out:
This is a great article in OUT magazine about Utah, the "gays" and Bruce:
This is a great article in the local Utah paper about Bruce being selected by President Obama to the Advisory Committee on the Arts for the J F Kennedy Center in Washington DC!
A distribution deal is inked for "8 The Mormon Proposition"!
www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=9655769
Check out the news surrounding the documentary film "8 - The Mormon Proposition" which Bruce executive produced and which was selected for Sundance 2010! Some incredible press around the movie and its uncovering of the Mormon Church's involvement around the passage of Prop 8 in California.
www.imdb.com/title/tt1484522/synopsis
www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-bastian/prop-8-a-campaign-based-o_b_151409.html
glaadblog.org/tag/bruce-bastian/
sundance.bside.com/2010/films/8themormonproposition_sundance2010
Hopefully everyone will have the opportunity to see the film. As Bruce continually points out, the truth will set you free!
www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-402360
This IReport introduces the people who brought you "8 - The Mormon Proposition". Bruce is highlighted in this CNN IReport.
www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/dec2009/sb2009122_144583.htm
Check out the article in the December 4th issue of Businessweek about Bruce and his thoughts on the challenges of being gay and an entrepreneur.
Outside did it! A documentary that was funded by the Foundation won for best Topical Documentary at the Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy Awards! Thanks to Ken Verdoia and Scott Chaffin accepting"Outside" from their independent producers submissions and for putting a controversial program about gay homeless youth on the primetime air of SLC! I have included a link to the film.
www.kued.org/productions/outside/film
Bruce is featured in another article about the Civil Rights March on Washington:
http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=27195
Bruce writes an Op Ed for the Washington Blade about the upcoming March on Washington to be held on October 11 (Coming Out Day)!
http://www.washblade.com/2009/8-14/view/editorial/15031.cfm
An article in the Washington Blade referring to Bruce and the effects of the economy, his giving, and LGBT organizations.
http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=25607
Bruce talks about withholding funding from the Democratic party until he sees some results.
https://www.washblade.com/2009/6-26/view/editorial/14790.cfm
Another successful HRC Utah Gala. This year the event was not held at Bruce Bastian's home and gardens, and the crowd wasn't deterred by the rain or protesters. HRC awardees Jim Dabakis and Stephanie Pappas were gracious. HRC President Joe Solmonese and Bruce shared the stage with keynote Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.
www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705311954,00.html
An article about donations to California's Prop 8 which includes information about Bruce's personal donation against those for Prop 8:
Bruce personally worked with Garff Automotive Group principals John and Robert Garff to end a boycott planned by the GLBT community and Californians against Hate in several states due to a large donation to California's Prop 8 made by one of the family members of the Garff family. In collaboration with other community leaders in Utah and California, Bruce has success in helping turn an ugly situation into a positive for both sides.
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_11801654
Bruce writes on Huffington Post about the dangers of Prop 8.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-bastian/prop-8-a-campaign-based-o_b_151409.html
Bruce asks members of the Human Rights Campaign to start a letter writing campaign in an effort to get the LDS Church to support Equality Utah's Common Ground Initiative.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5120019
Bruce was honored to receive the National Leadership Award from the Human Rights Campaign at their National Gala Dinner on October 4, 2008. Please go to www.hrc.org to see more pictures and video of the evening! Former Mayor Rocky Anderson surprises Bruce by introducing the Award to him!
Jennifer Holliday was fierce!
Local coverage of Bruce's amazing gift to fight California's Prop 8 (make sure you watch the video as well):
Check out the HRC's Back Story.
http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2008/07/bruce-bastian-d.html
Check out the article in the San Francisco Chronicle about Bruce Bastian's personal commitment to California's Proposition 8 at the HRC Gala on Saturday, July 26, 2008.
Check out the article about Bruce Bastian in Salt Lake Magazine March/April 2008 at http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/index.php?src=news&refno=1106&category=Peoplescape
Check out the YouTube video about "For the Bible Tells Me So" an amazing film that Bruce Executive Produced.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpJAucyX7RE
Check out the article about the amazing opening of the film in London with special guest Sir Ian Mcklellen! Dan Karslake, Bishop Gene Robinson and Bruce were there for this special evening!
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/lambeth_conference/live_a_late_night_with_ian_mck.html
Check out the Provo Herald article about the recent Human Rights Campaign Gala held at Bruce's home and gardens on my birthday, June 14th. A wonderful sold out event ran by an incredible group of volunteers!
http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/270217/17/
http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=d86aa196-12c3-45da-b62f-222a593a8ea7
