HORIZONS FOUNDATION TO HONOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE BARNEY FRANK AND ADVOCATE KATE KENDELL WITH VISIONARY AND LEADERSHIP AWARDS AT ANNUAL GALA

October 6th Gala will feature honorees, bringing together Bay Area LGBT community for an evening of recognition, celebration and awareness

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 13, 2012) – Horizons Foundation will honor two prominent national leaders – U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) and National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. – with its most prominent awards for their lifelong work and advocacy for the LGBT community.

Representative Frank will receive the Horizons Foundation Visionary Award and Kendell will receive the Leadership Award.  The awards will be presented at the Annual Horizons Foundation Gala, which will be held on Saturday, October 6th at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.   The event will bring together more than 700 supporters from the Bay Area LGBT community for an elegant evening to recognize, celebrate and raise funds to support the important work of Horizons Foundation. 

Horizons Foundation Visionary Award Honoree:  Throughout his 32 years serving in Congress, Representative Frank has demonstrated courage, determination and leadership on issues important to his constituents and the LGBT community. He has been a leading advocate for civil rights, an outspoken advocate for equality and always willing to stand up for what is right.  Last year Representative Frank married his long-time partner, James Ready, becoming the first member of Congress to marry someone of the same gender while in office.  He will retire from Congress in January 2013 when his term expires.

“Representative Frank’s stalwart commitment to LGBT equality is but one of the many important progressive issues he has championed during his time as an elected official,” said Roger Doughty, Horizons Foundation’s Executive Director. “We are honored to recognize the courage, determination and fearless leadership that Congressman Frank has demonstrated throughout his 32 years in the US House of Representatives, and for what he has done for the LGBT community in both deed and by example.”

Horizons Foundation Leadership Award Honoree:  Since 1996, Kendell has served as executive director of the NCLR.  Throughout her career, Kendell has litigated many high-profile cases focusing on all aspects of civil liberties.  Under her leadership, NCLR’s programs, budget, and impact have grown exponentially, and the issues facing the LGBT community—from homophobia in sports to immigration policy—have taken center stage. 

“Kate Kendell and the word “advocate” go hand in hand,” said Doughty. “Though she captains one of the most important organizations working in the LGBT movement – NCLR – she is dedicated to organizations in the LGBT movement advancing together.  She really understands that the rising tide lifts all boats, and her commitment and her vision, are about collaboration and partnership of the most powerful kind.”

In addition to honoring Congressman Frank and Kate Kendell, the October 6thHorizons Foundation Gala will include a special performance by Toshi Reagon - a one-woman celebration of all that’s dynamic, progressive and uplifting in American music.  An elegant sit-down dinner will be followed by a decadent dessert buffet and casino-themed after-party in the legendary Tonga Room.  Supporters will also have a chance to bid on a range of donated items that include vacations, fine dining, wine, and more. Leading up to the event, Horizons will host an online auction at www.horizonsfoundation.org, which opens September 27, 2012.

Sponsorships and tickets are still available for individuals and organizations wishing to participate. 

Information on purchasing tickets and other details about the gala and its sponsors can be found at www.horizonsfoundation.org/gala or by calling 415.398.2333 x115.

About Horizons Foundation: Horizons Foundation fuels the LGBT movement by increasing support for diverse San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits that help thousands of people each day. Horizons’ work strengthens organizations and their leaders, mobilizes donors and funders to inspire giving, and actively secures the LGBT community’s future for generations to come. Founded in 1980, Horizons was the world’s first community foundation focused exclusively on LGBT issues. Since its beginning, Horizons has provided more than $22 million in financial support to community organizations and causes in areas ranging from civil rights advocacy to support for youth, elders, LGBT arts and culture. For more information, visit www.horizonsfoundation.org or call 415.398.2333.

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CONTACT:
Deb Stallings
415.398.2333 x103
dstallings@horizonsfoundation.org

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