There's Money Where The Mouth Is: Bruce W. Bastian

Bruce W. Bastian was the closeted gay son of conservative Mormons in small-town Idaho. But years later, he would settle in as one of the most prominent supporters and voices for LGBT rights after he co-founded the WordPerfect Software Company—a venture that made him, at the time, one of Forbes 500 wealthiest people in America.

Today, he continues to direct most of his time and money toward organizations that promote equality for the gay community, including the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign, where he sits on the board. Here, hoping things won’t stay as they are for much longer, he talks about the need for philanthropy and making the playing field a bit more level (and that means getting behind Occupy Wall Street).

Where do you direct most of your philanthropy? Mostly to organizations that support LGBT rights. It’s a shame that we have to spend so much money on something that should not be an issue, but our opponents spend a lot more money than we do to keep us from having rights. Philanthropy should make the world a better place at least in some small way.

Is that why you decided to join the HRC? I joined the HRC because I believe in what they do. In the ten years I have been involved with the organization, I have seen a lot of progress. Most people don’t see the bad laws that the HRC has helped to keep just ideas and not laws. I have seen a lot, which makes me appreciate the HRC much more than I did.

These days, what do you think is the most pressing issue facing the LGBT community? Gay marriage is important because it represents so much of what is not available to LGBT Americans. Legally, socially, and emotionally it would make us the “same” as so many others. We have to do whatever we can to stop being the “other” that some people want us to be. Every law that helps us get there is important.

Would you ever consider re-marrying? Never say never.

You grew up in Idaho, where your family was active in the Mormon Church. What was your reaction to the Church’s response to Proposition 8? I was the first one to say having the Mormon Church involved meant big trouble. I immediately gave $1,000,000 to the “No” campaign, and I believe I was the first to give that much. Very few believed me when I said they [The Mormon Church] would hurt us. Unfortunately, I was not surprised.

Is that why you decided to executive produce the documentary film, "8: The Mormon Proposition," which exposed the Mormon Church's involvement in the promotion and passage of California's Proposition 8? I got involved with the film because I know the director, Reed Cowan, and believed that the film needed to be made. I don’t think the film itself made a huge impact on the Mormon Church, but it did bring to light some facts that needed to be told. The real impact on the church came from the LGBT community standing up to them with real protests. They didn’t expect that.

What is your relationship with the Mormon Church now? I left the Mormon Church a long time ago. It was my decision because I disagree very much with their teachings in many areas, including LGBT rights. I think all religions are wrong when they try to control people. Even though I think you can believe in God and gay rights at the same time, I also believe organized religion is the biggest block fighting us. Religious bigotry has been the cause of tremendous pain and suffering of millions of LGBT Americans.

Do you have any advice for faithful gay Mormons? Have the courage to be your true self. You will only find happiness when you can live life for yourself, not for someone else.

You also founded the Bruce Bastian Foundation to support other local and national institutions, including outreach, cultural and HIV/AIDS programs. I started the Foundation to fund things that I believe in but in a more equitable way, rather than everyone coming to me personally. The Foundation has a strong commitment to programs and organizations that benefit, encourage, and preserve the rights of individuals and promote equality for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community. Also, I am deeply committed to the arts. They are my first love and I truly believe that they can touch a person’s soul. If you go to a symphony concert, you will probably leave at least somewhat uplifted. If you go to a basketball game, you may leave really happy or really upset depending upon the outcome. But you will not leave edified.

It was probably wise that President Obama made you an advisor to the President’s Advisory Committee for the Arts? Well, the committee is basically concerned with the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, which is a remarkable working memorial to President Kennedy’s support of the arts. I hope to help make the effects of the Center better known to Americans and to help expand their work worldwide.

Are there other causes you’d like to help expand? Yes, many. The HRC, The Victory Fund, Ballet West, Utah Symphony and Opera, and I can get behind Occupy Wall Street too. Since the early 1980s, most Americans have not been able to progress financially because more and more of America’s wealth and power have gone to fewer and fewer people. I am glad more Americans are seeing that some very basic practices in this country need to change.

How do we enlist change? Wherever you feel you want to do something, do it. You really can make a difference, but the only way you will lose is if you do nothing.

It really does get better then? Yes, but it gets better when we all work together to make it better. If we want to sit in a corner, do nothing, and feel attacked, that’s where we will stay.

For more information about the Bruce Bastian Foundation, click here. Bruce also has a podcast here (Video below).