Gay Men's Chorus Of Los Angeles Honors Ana Navarro At 7th Annual Voice Awards

Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), one of the nation's largest and longest-running LGBTQ arts organizations, will present political strategist and LGBTQ ally Ana Navarro with its 'Outspoken Voice Award' when it hosts the 7th Annual Voice Awards on May 5 at the Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood.

"With the current political climate, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles felt it important to honor someone whose voice rings loud and clear across both sides of the aisle. No one exemplifies this straight-forward candor more than Ana Navarro," said GMCLA Executive Director Jonathan Weedman. "She has been outspoken on many LGBT issues including marriage equality and her vehement opposition to so-called 'bathroom bills.' And it's especially fitting that we are honoring Ms. Navarro on Cinco de Mayo. In addition to her LGBT advocacy, she has long been a champion of immigrants' rights. We are thrilled she will join us at the Voice Awards."

A recognizable face on CNN, CNN en Espanol, Telemundo and ABC News, and a recurring panelist on ABC's 'The View,' Navarro is known for her often direct, forthright and at times even fiery commentary regarding current political events. GMCLA selected Navarro to receive its 'Outspoken Voice Award' based on her impassioned advocacy of pro-LGBTQ causes - particularly her support of same-sex marriage - especially when it has not been politically popular in her role as a Republican strategist.

During the evening's awards ceremony, GMCLA will also honor 17-year-old Crescenta Valley High School Senior Zach Johnson with the first-ever 'Rising Voice Award' for using his voice to advance LGBTQ causes and better the lives of fellow LGBTQ youth.

Johnson serves as Senior Class Vice President, and coordinated this year's Ally Week with the Gay-Straight Alliance, which invited GMCLA to bring its Alive Music Project to the school. Most recently, Johnson organized and led his school's walkout against gun violence, following the shootings in Parkland, Florida.

He has used his moving story of coming out at 15 through the power of social media to raise funds for The Trevor Project, and educate others in an upcoming documentary series entitled, Room To Grow.

This year's Voice Awards sponsors include Presenting Sponsor: Foresters Financial; Gold Sponsors: AHF; Athens Services; Charles Company; Latham & Watkins; Merrill Lynch; SoCal Gas; The Arts Club; Troy Jones & Jason Ball; and The Witkoff Group; Silver Sponsors:Barrett Porter; City National Bank; Demitri Samaha, Lawrence Legg & E.T. Legg & Associates, Ltd.; Faring Capital; IAC; and Mark Sneddon & Michael Lewis; Bronze Sponsor: MedMen.

The Voice Awards honor individuals and institutions who raise their voice to advance social justice and equality. The proceeds of the Voice Awards gala go to support GMCLA's pioneering and groundbreaking youth and community outreach programs, including the Alive Music Project, which has reached over 50,000 LA-area middle and high school students and Arts for Incarcerated Youth, which brings music and music education to youth in juvenile detention facilities.

http://www.gmclavoiceawards.com

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