Avery Dennison Foundation celebrates Pride and partners making a difference around the world

Avery Dennison Foundation

June 13, 2025

This Pride Month, the Avery Dennison Foundation (ADF) proudly celebrates the powerful work of its grantees advancing inclusion, visibility, and opportunity for LGBTQ+ communities across the globe.

In the United States, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio (ACLU Ohio) is expanding its presence in the Pride community statewide, building deeper community connections and amplifying its civil rights advocacy. In Turkey, Kaos Gay Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Kaos GL) is strengthening its digital infrastructure to protect and empower LGBTQ+ individuals under threat. And in France, Fondation Le Refuge is offering shelter, support, and pathways to employment for LGBTQ+ youth facing family rejection and housing insecurity. These organizations remind us that Pride is not just a celebration—it’s a commitment to inclusion, dignity, and solidarity year-round. We are honored to support their courageous work.

ACLU of Ohio: expanding Pride, presence, and power across the state

Thanks to support from ADF, the ACLU of Ohio is expanding its statewide Pride presence, both in physical reach and community connection. With new funding to expand its program by 30%, the organization can now attend more Pride festivals across Ohio, from major cities like Cleveland and Columbus to smaller towns that previously lacked representation.

The ACLU of Ohio’s LGBTQ+ advocacy stretches beyond parade routes and festival booths. Their presence at Pride is deeply intertwined with their year-round work at the Statehouse and in courtrooms, where they fight for LGBTQ+ rights, protect civil liberties, and mobilize communities.

“For many people, seeing us at Pride means something,” says Nicole Curet, Senior Engagement Strategist, ACLU of Ohio. “They know we’re doing the work behind the scenes, but being there in person creates a powerful connection. It deepens our impact.”

That connection is also felt internally. The organization partners with Avery Dennison employee volunteers at Pride events to kick off Pride month.

Michelle Mason, pricing analyst at Avery Dennison Ohio, with Ben Guess, executive director, ACLU of Ohio.

“The ACLU of Ohio is so grateful for this new stream of external funding to enhance our PRIDE outreach efforts, and we are just getting started,” Curet says. “But this grant has already made it possible for us to show up in more communities, stand in solidarity, and build trust face-to-face.”

Kaos GL: powering Pride and protection through digital transformation in Turkey

For over 30 years, Kaos GL has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Turkey. In a climate of intensifying hostility—marked by threats, public smear campaigns, and attempts to silence queer voices—this pioneering organization remains steadfast. With support from the Avery Dennison Foundation, Kaos GL has taken a significant step forward by building a digital infrastructure that strengthens its resilience and expands its reach.

Photo taken at the Refugee LGBT+ Persons and Law Workshop.

“Without this grant, we would have struggled to continue our work when threats prevent us from accessing our physical office,” shared Umet Güner, director of Kaos GL. “Thanks to ADF, Kaos GL has digitized its office, financial and monitoring systems, creating integrated tools for client tracking and human rights reporting. This has made our work more secure, streamlined, and sustainable.”

Kaos GL serves LGBTQ+ individuals across Turkey, including refugees, elders, and people living with HIV. In 2024 alone, they organized 305 events, supported 313 refugee LGBTQ+ individuals, and reached over 70,000 people. The digital upgrades have enabled more secure support services and boosted community engagement. “Now we can instantly generate human rights data and respond more effectively to the needs we’re seeing,” added Güner.

Operating under constant pressure, Kaos GL remains fiercely committed to visibility, community, and accountability. “We’re proud that even in the face of adversity, we continue to invest in our ability to support and protect,” Güner said. “This work is more than a mission—it’s our responsibility and our joy.”

Fondation Le Refuge: shelter, support, and a future for LGBTQ+ youth in France

In one of 20 cities in France, more than 250 LGBTQ+ young people, many of whom have been rejected by their families, need a safe place to sleep. Fondation Le Refuge provides housing, social support, and a path forward for LGBTQ+ individuals ages 18 to 25 who face isolation, homelessness, and heightened risk of suicide.

With support from the Avery Dennison Foundation and a growing network of volunteers, Le Refuge is scaling its impact across France. The grant is helping the organization work toward two critical goals: increasing its shelter capacity by 200 units and boosting the number of participants who achieve stable employment by 25% by 2027.

With help from the ADF grant, renovated apartments like this one offer LGBTQ+ youth the safety and warmth of a home.

Le Refuge’s model goes beyond emergency housing. Each young person undergoes a holistic needs assessment, followed by individualized support that may include therapy, job training, and access to education or health services. The organization is also active in public education, leading awareness campaigns that challenge stigma and promote acceptance.

“Thanks to ADF's support, Le Refuge's actions in the field, for the benefit of LGBT+ young people rejected by their parents, have found tangible expression,” Pacôme Rupin, general manager of Le Refuge. “This partnership has enabled Le Refuge to offer long-term protection to an additional 10 young people from the dangers of homelessness, precariousness and isolation, allowing them to get back on track towards autonomy and independence.”

By offering safety today and hope for tomorrow, Le Refuge is helping LGBTQ+ youth reclaim their future—one safe night and one meaningful step at a time.

The Avery Dennison Foundation is proud to stand with its partners as we all strive for progress, protection, and pride for our LGBTQ+ communities—this month and every month—across the globe.

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Avery Dennison Foundation celebrates Pride and partners making a difference around the world

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