Marquis Residences hosts the SAVE Dade Champions of Equality Award Reception

The 2010 SAVE Dade Champions of Equality Award Reception and Silent Auction will be held in the 3rd floor lounge at Tempo Miami located in the Marquis Residences tower, downtown Miami’s most elevated address. More than 250 civic leaders and community luminaries will attend the reception while enjoying breathtaking bay views through floor to ceiling windows in the lounge, newly opened in the 67-story tower. The annual event, taking place on May 21, was established to honor leaders of the community who have significantly advanced the cause of equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Miami-Dade County. 

“The importance of recognizing those in our community who have used their position to advance equality for all is that it gives their colleagues and peers an opportunity to connect with what is righteous; therefore, asking themselves tough questions about their own leadership and participation,” said C.J. Ortuño, executive director of SAVE Dade.  

Equality and justice for all is a non-partisan issue.  South Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) is the perfect example.  She is one our strongest and most steadfast allies in Congress.  She helped pass the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act into law in 2010 and opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment and Florida’s Amendment 2 before that.  She is the lead Republican House sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (which would repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell), and the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act.  She has also been a strong supporter of Congressional action on HIV/AIDS issues.  Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has earned the title of Champion of Equality for her own support of pro-equality legislation and for garnering support for such legislation from her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. 

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the world’s leading producer of wine and spirits, yet it has always given special attention to its home base of South Florida.  Bacardi is the first corporation bestowed with the Champions of Equality award for its strong support of the LGBT community and their organizations.  For more than 15 years, Bacardi has leveraged its in-kind contributions to boost the fundraising goals of SAVE Dade, Aqua Foundation, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Miami Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, among others. 

Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and former Mayor Manny Diaz sponsored a domestic partnership ordinance that was passed unanimously, 5 – 0, by The City of Miami Commission.  The ordinance offers health benefits to declared domestic partners of city employees and their children in the same manner as the city offers such benefits to spouses of married employees and their children.  The city is the third municipality in Miami-Dade County to do so.  SAVE Dade is grateful to all commissioners who voted for the ordinance but honors Sarnoff and Diaz as Champions of Equality for their initiative and courage in cosponsoring the ordinance and shepherding it through to final passage. 

Chairman of the Board, Orlando Gonzales explained “Honoring the leadership of Ileana, Manny, and Marc is something I am very proud that we are doing.  Their recognition exemplifies that equality is nonpartisan and can be embraced by all parties, religions, and cultures in the rich diversity of South Florida.  And, Bacardi of course is long overdue this acknowledgement as they consistently stand behind the community.” 

About SAVE Dade:

SAVE Dade’s mission is to promote, protect and defend equality for people in Miami-Dade County who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.  Established in 1993, SAVE Dade accomplishes this mission through education initiatives, outreach, grassroots organizing, and advocacy.  Starting with the landmark passage of Miami’s Human Rights Ordinance in 1998 to recent enactments of domestic partner benefit policies, SAVE continues to lead the fight for LGBT equality in Miami-Dade County through grassroots action focused on civil rights, parental rights, and relationship recognition through political advocacy, community outreach, candidate endorsements.

305-751-SAVE (7283)  |  305-751-9649 f  |  www.savedade.org  |  savedade@savedade.org 

About Marquis Residences:
Marquis Residences tops off at a staggering 694-feet, making it the city’s second tallest glass tower. The property features Arquitectonica’s signature 8-story open space from the 14th to 22nd floor that houses the pool area. The buildings’ crown makes up the top 15 stories of the structure and illuminates at night, making Marquis Residences an enduring landmark of the Miami skyline. With its vast height, they didn’t overlook necessities. The tower features the fastest elevators south of New York with a travel speed of 1200 fpm, transporting residents to one of 292 ultra-luxe units, ranging from one- to four- bedroom floor plans its four-story penthouse, offering views of it’s vibrant downtown Miami setting, as well as direct bay front views that showcase the city’s waterfront location. Units are priced from $375,000.

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