Denver philanthropist Tim Gill’s advocacy on behalf of gay and lesbian Americans was recognized by Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday at the White House.
Gill grew up in the western suburbs of Denver and founded his software start-up, Quark, in 1981 after graduating from the University of Colorado. In 1999 he sold his stake in the company and parlayed 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 has helped lead the fight against HIV-AIDS, laid the groundwork for marriage equality and so much more,” Gill’s medal citation reads. “His strong character, unwavering resolve and indisputable effectiveness in fighting for love and equality for all make him a key figure in our nation’s story of freedom.”
The nation’s highest civilian award is given at the discretion of the president to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” according to a White House news release.
Recipients chosen by Biden, whose term will end Jan. 20, include prominent political figures such as 2016 presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as well as cultural icons such as former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson and children’s TV star William Nye, better known as Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Other awardees 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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