by Jessica Carreras
SOUTHFIELD –
It was Mother's Day all over again at the Triangle Foundation's State Dinner. Held Oct. 12 at the Westin of Southfield, the night honored several Michiganders who have made great strides forward in the LGBT movement, many of whom gave thanks to dear old mom and dad.
The night began with introductions by Triangle Board of Trustees co-chairs Denise Brogan-Kator and Mary Kator. Mary Kator started out the night on a lighthearted note by giving her speech in the voice of Sarah Palin – complete with "mavericks," shout-outs and reference to "a Joe six-pack lesbian."
"It gives me an amazing thrill to know how many of you I can call friend," Denise Brogan-Kator added on a more serious note.
The dinner was speckled with note-worthy guests, from numerous state representatives and judges to Detroit prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Several members of the Hamtramck city council were also in attendance. On Nov. 4, Hamtramck will vote on a measure that will decide the fate of its human rights ordinance that would protect local members of the LGBT community from discrimination.
Former state Sen. Gary Peters, who is running for Congress in the upcoming election, came to the dinner and spoke briefly. "You win elections is by standing up for what's important," Peters said. "I've never been bashful to say – in fact, I'm very proud to say – that I support full marriage rights."
Throughout a dinner of chicken, redskin potatoes and chocolate cake, attendees heard about some of Michigan's own LGBT mavericks: winners of the Catalyst, Henry Messer and Heather MacAllister Awards.
Detroit Black Pride Society founder Johnny Jenkins was presented with an award for his work with the organization, as well as Grand Valley State University and R Cole Bouck, who works for LGBT equality in the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Bouck unique work with the Department of Corrections earned him recognition after he secured rights for LGBT workers in the prison system.
Bouck was one of several who gave much thanks to his mother for her support of him.
GVSU's award was presented for their work securing domestic partnership benefits for their faculty and staff, as well as developing an LGBT scholarship fund that now offers over $80,000 in scholarships.
Jonathan "Yoni" Siden, an 18-year-old Washtenaw County teen, was presented with the Henry Messer Youth Award for his work protecting LGBT youth in his school system.
Siden also thanked his mother, who was celebrating both her son's accomplishment and her birthday at the Triangle dinner.
Stephanie Sandberg, a Calvin College professor and creator of the play "Seven Passages: Stories of Gay Christians," received the Heather MacAllister Award. Her play, which started as a local production, has recently been released as a film.
One thing not announced at the dinner was the new executive director of the Triangle Foundation. Many expected that the decision would be made by this time. However, Triangle Board Chair Roland Smith told attendees that it would be yet another few more weeks before the decision was made.
The night also included reference to the phrase "That's so gay," and new public service announcements denouncing the use of it were shown at the dinner.
The night ended with an empowering speech by guest speaker Rev. Steven Baines, the director of Interfaith Outreach at People for the American Way. The speech channeled the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., referencing his idea of the "beloved community" and relating it to the idea of accepting the LGBT community fully into the rest of society.
"I have committed my life to creating that beloved community that Dr. King talked about," Rev. Baines said, "because I believe it is still a dream worth achieving."
