Rob Reiner, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson Set for Family Equality Council's LA Awards Dinner

Family Equality Council, which connects, supports, and represents the one million lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) parents raising two million children in the U.S., today announced the honorees for the 2012 Los Angeles Awards Dinner on February 11 at Universal Studios' Globe Theatre.

The 2012 Awards Dinner will mark the beginning of a year-long national celebration of Family Equality Council's 30^th anniversary and demonstrate the organization's renewed commitment to create a better world for the  parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, friends and allies, who are part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.  

The 2012 Honorees will include: Chad Griffin, Co-founder and Board President of the American Foundation for Equal Rights - the group behind the effort to overturn California's Proposition 8; former Pennsylvania Representative Patrick Murphy, who helped lead opposition to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy; and Todd Parr, the award-winning children's book author.

Acclaimed writer/director Rob Reiner and "Modern Family" star Eric Stonestreet are among the award presenters for the evening.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Broadway performer and star of "Modern Family," will perform.

Family Equality Council Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler said this year's event has special significance because it comes as the organization marks its 30^th anniversary.

"Over the past 30 years we have worked to build our community to support parents and children, share our stories to open hearts and minds, and raise our voices to create social justice for all families," said Chrisler.  "This year, we will celebrate the positive changes that have made the world a better place for those 1 million families with parents who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender."

"Through their tireless efforts, our honorees have worked to create that world – a place where not only our families, but all loving families can be recognized, respected, and protected."

Now in its 8^th year, Family Equality Council's premier West Coast event is aimed at connecting the growing Los Angeles community of LGBT-headed families and supporters as well as advancing efforts to create equality for all families.

Previous presenters and honorees have included Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes, Cynthia Nixon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Savage, and Terry Miller as well as the plaintiffs in the case challenging Proposition 8.

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