DETROIT – The Michigan chapter of the Human Rights Campaign will honor longtime volunteer Richard Chizmadia with the George M. Fadiga Award at its annual dinner Nov. 12. The Fadiga Award is presented to a local volunteer who has had a positive impact on the success of HRC's efforts in Michigan and has shown a commitment to the mission and goals of HRC. Chizmadia has provided 15 years of service to the Michigan Human Rights Campaign and served on the national HRC board of governors from 1999 to 2003.
HRC will also honor the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan with the Equality Award. Led by the team of cooperating attorney Deborah Labelle; Thomas Wilczak, Barbara Buchanan, Kurt Kissling and Amanda Shelton; Nancy Katz; Professor Roderick Hills and ACLU staff attorneys Jay Kaplan and Michael J. Steinberg, these advocates for equality successfully argued in defense of 21 same-sex couples named in the lawsuit over Proposal 2 who receive or hope to receive domestic partner benefits. The judge's ruling stated that last fall's constitutional amendment barring marriage between two men or two women does not jeopardize health care benefits afforded such couples.
Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow is also scheduled to attend the dinner. HRC President Joe Solomonese and transgender activist Donna Rose will be speaking.
HRC awardees announced, Stabenow to attend dinner
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