By BTL Staff
WARREN – The 20th Annual Pride Banquet and Awards Ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 6 p.m. at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren.
Over 400 LGBT community leaders and allies will spend the evening celebrating the LGBT community and recognizing leadership.
The event is sponsored by Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, Affirmations Lesbian & Gay Community Center, Triangle Foundation, Ruth Ellis Center, and Detroit Black Gay Pride.
"This is the twentieth annual GLBT banquet and has been the longest running annual gay community event in the region," said Craig Covey, MAPP CEO. "We hold it every year in June to celebrate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion which occurred in 1969. It is one of the few events that is put on collaboratively by several different GLBT organizations."
Awards will be given to members of the community in eleven different categories:
Rising Star Award – given to a newcomer with leadership potential
Political Award – to an individual working for LGBT equality through the political process
Business Award – to an LGBT friendly and supportive business
Media Award – to an individual or organization responsible for truth and accuracy in reporting on LGBT issues
Cultural Award – to an organization or individual that helps to raise awareness of the LGBT community's cultural diversity
Pride Award – to an LGBT individual who embodies pride in his or her life
Spirit of Detroit Award – given on behalf of the city to individuals who promote unity and collaboration in the Detroit region
Sports Award – given to an individual or organization making a contribution to athletics
Unity Award – to an individual who works with a multitude of organizations and promotes unity
Volunteer Award – to an individual who has volunteered extensively in the community.
MAPP will also give an award.
Nominations are now being accepted and are due by May 13. All are invited to nominate someone for an award. The nomination form is available at www.pridesource.com or can be picked up at Affirmations (195 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale).
