Denver philanthropist Tim Gill’s advocacy for gay and lesbian Americans was recognized by Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Saturday at the White House.
Gill grew up in the west suburbs of Denver and founded his software startup, Quark, in 1981 after graduating from the University of Colorado. In 1999, he sold his stake in the company and turned his profits into activism, becoming an influential national voice for gay rights and donating hundreds of millions of dollars to LGBTQ+ causes through his charitable foundation.
“He helped lead the fight against HIV-AIDS, laid the foundation for marriage equality and so much more,” Gill’s medal citation reads. “His strong character, unwavering determination, and unquestionable effectiveness in the fight for love and equality for all make him a key figure in our nation’s history of freedom.”
The nation’s highest civilian honor is given at the president’s discretion “to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other societal endeavors, significant public or private,” according to a white report. Chamber press release.
The recipients chosen by Biden, whose term ends on January 20, include prominent political figures such as 2016 presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as cultural icons such as the former leader of Los Angeles Lakers Earvin “Magic” Johnson and children’s television. star William Nye, better known as Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Other honorees include José Andrés, Bono, Ashton Carter (posthumous), Michael J. Fox, Jane Goodall, Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous), Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumous), Ralph Lauren, Lionel Messi, George Romney (posthumous), David Rubenstein. , George Soros, George Stevens Jr., Denzel Washington and Anna Wintour.
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