EVENTS

Champions of Equality 2009

The 2009 Champions of Equality Awards are almost here! Join SAVE Dade in honoring members of the County who have fought alongside the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to reach full equality. So much of the progress SAVE Dade has achieved over the years in Miami-Dade County has been due to the strong fellowships SAVE Dade has built with leaders in our community that have pledged their commitment to our cause. LGBT equality thrives on the decisions made by progressive officials who listen to LGBT issues, understand the needs of the community, and take action to protect minorities from injustice. It is important to recognize these individuals for the significant work they have done and continue to do.

This year SAVE Dade honors the Miami-Dade County Commissioners for adopting the historic Domestic Partners and Family Health Coverage Ordinance on May 20, 2008. This ordinance provides much needed basic rights to domestic partners in the County, such as hospital visitation rights for all registered non-spousal couples, and insurance benefits for the partners of county employees. By passing this into law, County Commissioners proved that there are leaders in our community who care about their constituents and are more than willing to pass pieces of legislation that secure LGBT equality. For voting in favor of the ordinance, SAVE Dade commends Commissioners Bruno A. Barreiro, Chair, Audrey M. Edmonson, Carlos A. Gimenez, Sally A. Heyman, Barbara J. Jordan, Dennis C. Moss, Katy Sorenson and Rebeca Sosa, and Mayor Carlos A. Alvarez, who signed the ordinance.

SAVE Dade is also proud to recognize SAVE Dade’s former Executive Director Heddy Pena for her years of invaluable work and service for SAVE Dade and the LGBT community. As with any successful political advocacy organization, victories are achieved through the leadership of strong individuals who are politically savvy and who help build bridges with elected officials and decision-makers. Under Heddy Pena’s leadership, SAVE Dade succeeded in passing the Domestic Partners and Family Health Coverage Ordinance in Miami-Dade County, a domestic partner registry, gender identity discrimination protection and a procurement ordinance in Miami Beach, and inclusion of gender identity in the anti-discrimination provisions of the City of Miami Bill of Rights.

Also recipients of the Champions of Equality Award are the volunteers of University of Miami’s UM for Equality group. UM for Equality first partnered with SAVE Dade last year with a goal to defeat discriminatory Amendment 2. Despite the amendment passing, a great achievement was made in the spectrum of volunteerism in the youth demographic, as volunteers took charge in fielding phone banks, canvassing door to door, and educating voters at the polls during Election Day. There was a groundswell of support from UM for Equality again early this year, partnering with SAVE Dade and many statewide organizations in the fight against anti-gay Charter Amendment 1 in Gainesville. In working together, the amendment was defeated. UM for Equality will serve as a model for future partnerships with colleges. Young volunteers are vital in the fight for equality, as they will be the face of the LGBT movement for the next 10 years. SAVE Dade honors the students of UM for Equality as one of the strongest partnerships SAVE Dade has ever formed.

Join us in recognizing these community leaders on Wednesday, May 20 for the Champions of Equality Awards and Silent Auction from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Karu & Y Ultralounge 71 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33136. Tickets are $75 per person.

To purchase tickets, or for more information on the event, please go to www.savedade.org/champions.html