Lambda Legal Community Forum
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Volunteer with HRC & Latino/a Community for Full Census Count
Friday, March 26, 2010
6th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Local News
Human Rights Campaign Arizona Honors Univision With The 2010 Corporate Equality Award
Posted on Thursday March 11, 2010
PHOENIX, AZ—Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will formally present the coveted 2010 HRC Arizona Corporate Equality Award to Univision, with particular recognition for Univision’s KTVW-TV Channel 33 in Phoenix, at the 6th Annual HRC Arizona “Together” Gala on Saturday, March 20, 2010.
The recipient, Univision Communications Inc., is the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States with multiple media assets that inform, entertain and connect the Hispanic community. Neil Guiliano, former GLAAD President, will be presenting the HRC Corporate Equality Award to Univision. Tickets to the dinner and award ceremony are available at www.hrc.org/boxoffice or by calling 800-494-8497.
Univision has distinguished itself with positive portrayal of gay and lesbian characters throughout their Novella offerings. They have received 12 nominations for GLAAD Media Awards including one award for the groundbreaking October 2009 “Coming Out Day” video produced in partnership with HRC Arizona. They also hosted a phone bank staffed by HRC volunteers to answer questions from viewers during the broadcast of nominated video which includes a moving interview with Ernesto Ortiz and his mother, Rosa Urrutia, sharing the coming out experience between mother and son.
“Univision is a notable media leader in the US and a representative model of the HRC Arizona Corporate Equality Award through their demonstrated commitment to fair and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors,” said Linda Elliott, board of director of the HRC and co-chair of HRC Public Policy Committee.
The 2010 Together Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for HRC Arizona that brings together business leaders, entertainers, special dignitaries and community members to celebrate human rights and the LGBT community. The festivities begin at 5:30 PM at the newly renovated Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom. Details about sponsorships and special auction donations along with ticket information for groups, businesses, individuals, friends and family can be found at www.hrcazdinner.org.
HRC Arizona Together Gala Features Tony Award-Winning Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur
Posted on Thursday March 11, 2010
PHOENIX, AZ—Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will present the Ally for Equality Award to Broadway, film, television and voice-over star Marissa Jaret Winokur at the upcoming 6th Annual HRC Arizona “Together” Gala.
The 2003 Tony-Award “Best Actress in a Musical” winner is also HRC’s special guest at the annual dinner and awards celebration taking place at the Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom beginning at 5:30 PM on Saturday, March 20, 2010.
Tickets to dinner and awards ceremony can be purchased at www.hrcazdinner.org or by calling 800-494-8497.
Ms. Winokur is a celebrated talent with various industry awards. She is often recognized for her famed theatre lead roles in “Hair Spray”, “Happy Days”, “Grease” and “Hair”. She was a national favorite for her extraordinary performances on “Dancing with the Stars” during the 2008-2009 season. She has been in a variety of films and on multiple television shows as a lead and supporting actress. Her impressive resume includes work with famed directors including Sam Mendes in “American Beauty” and the Farrelly Brothers as a lead actress in the movie “Fever Pitch”. http://www.officialmarissajaretwinokur.com/
The Ally for Equality Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people. This award is given to allies outside the LGBT community who stand up on behalf of equality for all Americans. Recipients have shown a commitment to making America a place where LGBT people can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, in the community and in the media. The awards presented at the Human Rights Campaign gala dinner are the highest honor the organization bestows in the area of achieving equality for LGBT people.
The annual jubilant dinner and awards event is the biggest fundraiser for HRC in Arizona each year. It is the foremost annual celebration where friends, family, business and community are recognized for their commitment to the mission to achieve fair and equal treatment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
“The Together gala is a gathering of amazing guests, award winners and topped by our featured artiste Marissa Jaret Winokur,” said Nathan Treanor, HRC Arizona Gala Dinner co-chair, “Our 6th Annual HRC Arizona Gala is a must-attend celebration and we look forward to sharing our passion and motivation with the Arizona community as we continue our mission to fully actualize LGBT equality.”
Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable evening of fine dining, a silent auction, and inspiring guest speakers. HRC will also be presenting the 2010 HRC Individual Equality Awards to the forefathers of Arizona human rights and equality movement, William “Bill” A. Orovan, Bill MacDonald, F. William “Bill” Sheppard, Bill Lewis and William “Bill” M. Hardin at the annual gala. The 2010 HRC Corporate Equality Award will be given to the leading Spanish-language media success Univision.
Allyson Robinson, Associate Director of Diversity of HRC is the featured speaker. She leads the organization and its volunteer base in promoting awareness of transgender issues and HRC’s commitment to transgender equality and inclusion. Further guest information and ticket details are available at http://www.hrcazdinner.org.
Human Rights Campaign Arizona announces record five individual equality award winners in 2010
Posted on Monday February 22, 2010PHOENIX, AZ—Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will make history by recognizing five remarkable Arizonans at the 6th Annual HRC Arizona “Together” Gala on Saturday, March 20, 2010. Unlike years past with only one Individual Equality Award recipient, in 2010 HRC Arizona will recognize five extraordinary individuals that are known as the fathers of the present-day LGBT community in Arizona.
Collectively and more intimately they are known as “The Bills”. “The Bills” have been at the forefront of every major LGBT issue and organization in Arizona since the mid 1980’s individually and as a group. These organizations included groups vital to the community such as the Arizona Aids project, Act Up, and the Arizona Human Rights Fund. They were so entrenched in the community that when something needed to done to advance the cause of the LGBT rights, the cry was simply “call the Bills”. Bill McDonald aptly terms the group as “Fundraising Central” for the monies they helped to raise for over the years that went to these groups as well as the state Democratic party.
Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard will be presenting the 2010 HRC Individual Equality Awards to William “Bill” A. Orovan, Bill MacDonald, F. William “Bill” Sheppard, Bill Lewis and William “Bill” M. Hardin at the annual gala. Tickets to dinner and awards ceremony can be purchased at www.hrc.org/boxoffice or by calling 800-494-8497.
The HRC Arizona Individual Equality Award honors people whose commitment, guidance and leadership are transformational in the mission to achieve fair and equal treatment for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
“We are thrilled to present ground-breaking activists, supporters and loyal community members that stand out for their dedication to achieve equality for all,” said Nathan Treanor, co-chair HRC Arizona Gala Dinner. “The first ever multi-winner Individual Equality Awards guarantees a memorable celebration that you can not miss!”
William “Bill” A. Orovan arrived in Phoenix in 1971 and opened The Pavilion, an antique and fine arts gallery in Scottsdale. He co-founded Main Street Arts Association and started the famous Thursday night Art Walks, the longest continuously running Art Walk in the nation. Among his many accomplishments, Orovan also founded the Community Arts Council, is a founding board member of Community AIDS Council and of the Valley of the Sun Gay and Lesbian Center, now called The Community Center.
Bill MacDonald is recognized for the Arizona Human Rights Fund (AHRF) success as a lobbying group and for its longevity. AHRF was created in 1991 with MacDonald serving as chair. For more than 10 years, while he was chair or co-chair for AHRF, the organization focused its mission to become a political advocacy organization that would support LGBT and LGBT-friendly candidates, educate voters and lobby for LGBT-inclusive legislature.
F. William “Bill” Sheppard has helped shape the arts community in the Valley and serves as champion for HIV-positive individuals. Attorney and author, Bill Sheppard co-hosted the first openly LGBT political fundraiser in Arizona to elect Terry Goddard as Mayor of Phoenix. He co-founded AIDS Project Arizona (formerly Arizona AIDS Fund–Trust) and served on the Board of Trustees for the Arizona Theatre Company from 1986-1997 and again in 1999–2005. He is currently the board chair of Arizona Action for the Arts.
Bill Lewis, lifelong Arizona resident and philanthropist, is one of the state’s leading political activists and LGBT advocates visible through his leadership and support of endeavors like the Arizona Human Rights Fund, the national Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. Lewis and his longtime life partner Rick Underwood provided the financial support for the Arizona Together campaign to defeat a statewide constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which could have denied thousands of domestic partners access to benefits.
William “Bill” M. Hardin, attorney at Osborn Maledon representing entrepreneurial clients in business transactions and corporate governance matters, is co-founder of Equality Arizona and the Arizona Human Rights Fund, Inc. He has received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Human Rights. He is commissioner of the City of Phoenix Arts Commission and past chair of Art in Public Places Committee. Hardin is on the Institutional Review Board of the Arizona Heart Institute. He serves as director, of the Arizona Economic Resource Organization (AERO) and co-chair of both the Governor’s Council on Innovation and Technology (GCIT) and GCIT Technology Transfer Committee.
The 2010 Together Gala is an annual celebration that brings friends, family, business and community. The annual dinner event is the largest fundraiser of the year for HRC Arizona with special entertainment, a magnificent silent auction, extraordinary awards and invited dignitaries. The celebration begins at 5:30 PM at the Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom. Information about sponsorships, donations and tickets is available at www.hrcazdinner.org. Read More »
HRC Arizona 6th Annual Gala Dinner Brings Community Together
Posted on Friday January 29, 2010
PHOENIX, ARIZONA -- The Human Rights Campaign is pleased to announce the 6th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner will take place on Saturday, March 20, 2010. HRC Arizona is the local committee of HRC, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization. The theme of this year’s annual event is “Together,” representing how collectively a community has made progress in the past year, yet faces a future that requires commitment to work together to end lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) discrimination.
The 2010 Together Gala is an annual celebration that brings entertainment, dignitaries, business leaders and members of the community together, with a pledge of achieving fundamental fairness and equality for all. The annual gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for HRC Arizona. Attendees will enjoy a memorable evening complete with fine dining, a silent auction, awards and honorary guests. The festivities begin at 5:30 PM at the newly renovated Phoenix Civic Plaza, North Ballroom. Information about sponsorships, donations and tickets is available at www.hrcazdinner.org.
In recognition of activism and achievements made in pursuing equality for the LGBT community, Neil Guiliano, former GLAAD President, will be presenting the HRC Arizona Corporate Equality Award and Attorney General Terry Goddard will be presenting the HRC Arizona Individual Equality Awards.
“We are excited about the event we have planned this year as we centered on a theme that truly represents our commitment and dedication to work as one to end discrimination,” said Nathan Treanor, co-chair HRC Arizona Gala Dinner. “We have planned a spectacular evening that is certain to be a memorable occasion. Mark your calendars and get your tickets today to ensure you have a seat at the table!”
Allyson Robinson, Associate Director of Diversity is a featured guest speaker at the gala. Ms. Robinson leads HRC and its volunteer base in promoting awareness of transgender issues and to make certain that all program areas demonstrate measurable commitment to transgender equality and inclusion.
“Together is a true celebration of community, diversity and commitment that enables us to raise funds critical to support the HRC mission and progress toward our ultimate goal of equality for all,” said Claudine Sanchez, co-chair of the HRC Arizona Gala Dinner. “We are thankful to all the dedicated volunteers, our generous sponsors, artists and entertainers that are working to make our annual gala unforgettable.”
The 6th Annual Gala will again host a silent auction featuring an exciting array of exquisite merchandise, luxury services and astounding art from local and national artists and businesses. Donations are showcased at the event and the auction preview party. To inquire about donating your products or services, or participating in the HRC Arizona Art Auction contact auction@hrcarizona.org
To attend the 6th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, visit www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc for tickets or call 800-494-8497. Individual tickets are $200. Student tickets are available for $100 with a school ID. Corporate sponsorships also are available.
There are currently opportunities to participate in the dinner as a Gala Table Captain. Table Captains select their table in advance of the event and help raise awareness of the festivities by inviting friends and colleagues to the dinner. Contact tablecaptain@hrcarizona.org for details. Visit phoenix.hrc.org for more information about HRC Arizona and www.hrcazdinner.org for updates about the dinner.