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LAHR PRISM Award winners 2005

Compiled by Dawn Wolfe Gutterman

LANSING – The Lansing Association for Human Rights held its 2005 Prism on Oct. 12 at the Temple Club.
According to the group's website, the awards have been given for over a decade to Lansing area LGBT leaders, community volunteers, activists and allies.
"This year's event was just wonderful – much shorter than last year, but retaining all the quality," said LAHR Co-President Matt Weingarden. "We appreciated the generous support of our Corporate sponsors: General Motors Corporation, The Temple Club and Senator Virg Bernero."
Student activist LaJoya Johnson received the 2005 Prism Award. Johnson's work includes her initiation of a grassroots campaign to raise awareness of the tragic murder of Sakia Gunn, organizing a MSU LGBT students of color scholarship and serving as a leader within the MSU campus community. Johnson was recently honored in the national magazine Curve as one of the "Top Ten Dyke Activists Under 25."
The 2005 Ally Award went to Sue Busnardo. An MSU Police Officer, Lt. Busnardo has been an ally to the MSU LGBT Community ever since she was assigned to work with the MSU Alliance of LBGT Students as a part of a community outreach program. Since that time, Lt. Busnardo has built lasting relationships with the LGBT student community, participating in annual Pride Marches, assisting with event planning and serving as a liaison in the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. Busnardo holds the distinction of being one of the first women in a leadership position in the MSU Police force.
Mary Dettloff, a reporter from northern Michigan, was given the 2005 Advocacy Award. In addition to serving as a media relations specialist for the Michigan House of Representatives and assistant press secretary for the House Majority Press Office, Dettloff served as Deputy Press Secretary for Governor Jennifer Granholm. Dettloff has proudly been a visible presence of Michigan's LGBT community for those inside and outside of state government. In 2003, Dettloff stood on the Capitol steps and read the first state proclamation declaring June as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month in Michigan.
Peter Morse, Artistic Director of the Greater Lansing Gay Men's Chorus, was given the 2005 Community Award. Under Morse's guidance, the GLGMC has steadily increased membership and performance opportunities. In 2004, the GLGMC held its first concert with Sistrum, the Lansing Women's Chorus and began the first of many joint ventures.
The 2005 Humanitarian Award was presented to Cindy Whittum. Whittum has worked to bring women's issues to the forefront in a variety of areas. She is chair of the local Women's Economic Development Outreach conference steering committee, Program Coordinator for the Lansing Athena PowerLink, Program Coordinator for the Lansing chapter of the National Association of Career Women, and a Board member of SIREN Shelter in Eaton County. Additionally, Whittum is an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters Clinton-Ionia County, and the Capital Area Michigan Works center.

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