Overview of Dr. Lear and the Fund

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Dr. Walter Lear championed progressive health causes and was a fierce advocate for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion across society and particularly in health care. In 1976, having been appointed Commissioner of Health for the Southeast Region of the Commonwealth 5 years prior by Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp, Dr. Lear came out publicly and became the state's first openly gay executive officer in government leadership. Dr. Lear helped found and lead many organizations, even co-founding DVLF.  The Walter J. Lear Endowed Fund is designed to strengthen support to the region's LGBTQ+ community with an ongoing allocation designated to the William Way Center and an allocation to be awarded as grants to organizations which toil in the following areas reflecting Dr. Lear's vision and life's work:

• equity and inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community

• health concerns and issues related to the LGBTQ+ community

• research aimed at bolstering the rights of the LGBTQ+ community

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For more information, explore the pages below:

• DVLF  Walter J. Lear Fund Announcement 

• University of Pennsylvania archives

• Walter J. Lear Wikipedia page

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