Family Equality Council Announces Honorees, Presenters For Awards Dinner

Family Equality Council, America's foremost national advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) families, today announced the list of honorees and presenters for the organization's annual New York City awards dinner.

The event, which honors individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to helping LGBT families, will be held Monday, April 25, 2011 at Pier 60 in New York.

This year's honorees will include Lisa Cholodenko, screenwriter/director of the Oscar-nominated movie, "The Kids Are All Right"; the cast of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical on Broadway"; and Mary T. Keane, a local foster care, adoption, and youth advocate.
Special guest Zach Wahls, whose speech defending marriage equality in Iowa made him a YouTube sensation, will serve as an awards presenter.

Family Equality Council Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler said the annual awards dinner is an opportunity for LGBT parents, friends and allies to mark the progress made in helping diverse families achieve full equality.

"There are 1 million LGBT parents raising 2 million children in our country today and that number is growing," said Chrisler. "Our honorees have made significant contributions to the issues that matter to our families and they inspire us every day to ensure those parents and children have the same rights and protections as other American families enjoy."

"It's an honor for me to be a part of this event that celebrates the experiences and lives of those LGBT families raising children," said Cholodenko. "Part of the message of my film is that this is not a fringe element in our society, but instead a robust and healthy community of parents, children, husbands, wives, and partners. This event is just one indication that this community is strong and growing."

Tickets for the event can be purchased by visiting. www.familyequality.org/pier. Proceeds from the event help sustain Family Equality Council's educational, advocacy and policy work.

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