On Sunday, March 21, Equality Florida will recognize Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) for their bipartisan support of Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The congresswomen will be honored as recipients of the “Voices for Equality” Award at Equality Florida’s 2010 Miami Gala at Miami’s River Lounge.
In a political climate that has been marked by partisanship, it is especially significant that Florida’s largest human rights organization dedicated to LGBT rights – Equality Florida – is honoring both a Republican and a Democrat with this prestigious award. The awards come as the U.S. Congress undertakes the first serious effort in 17 years to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, an effort both Ros-Lehtinen and Wasserman Schultz have endorsed and championed.
A steadfast champion for Florida’s LGBT community, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz served on the Advisory Board for Florida’s Vote No On 2 campaign to defeat the 2008 “marriage amendment.” She has supported the passage of federal hate crimes protections, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act, and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
Wasserman-Schultz is co-founder of the US Congress’s first-ever LGBT Equality Caucus, which is an effort to extend civil rights, repeal discriminatory laws, eliminate hate-motivated violence and improve health for all, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. During the Caucus’ launch, she stated, “Equality for our gay, lesbian and transgender friends is not negotiable.”
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is living proof that Equality and Justice are worthy of bi-partisan support and also has an exemplary record in support of LGBT equality. She is also a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus and helped to pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act that specifically offered protections to LGBT people for the first time in US history. She is the lead Republican sponsor on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act and the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, seeking the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” among other LGBT bills she supports.
The Equality Florida Miami Gala features a State of the State Address by Nadine Smith, Equality Florida’s Executive Director and an elegant cocktail reception.
The Gala promises to be a spectacular event, with a host committee consisting of community leaders including Sen. Dan Gelber, Sen. Nan Rich, Rep. Richard Steinberg, Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower, Judge David Young, North Miami City Councilman Scott Galvin and Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora.
Equality Florida Miami Gala takes place at the River Lounge in the Epic Hotel, 270 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Tickets are $125, and sponsorship opportunities begin at just $500. For more information, visit http://eqfl.org/miamigala/ or call Stratton Pollitzer at (954) 682-6094.