Media Release

March 24, 2010

Equality Arizona announces 2010 Awardees

This year, 10 organizations and individuals will be honored at the 19th Annual Equality Arizona Awards Dinner, June 5th at the Scottsdale Fairmont.

The Barry Goldwater Human Rights Corporate Award (National), presented each year to a company/organization with national presence that has demonstrated a commitment and taken specific measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression will be awarded to MassMutual Financial Group.

MassMutual has consistently been awarded the highest marks on the HRC Corporate Index scale.

This year’s Keynote speaker, David Mixner is also recipient of the Barry Goldwater Human Rights Individual Award (National). Mr. Mixner is a prominent figure in the history of the LGBT movement since it began. He is an author, political activist and served in both Clinton administrations. (Click here to view this story on the Public News Service RSS site and access an audio version of this and other stories)

The Equality Arizona Statewide Human Rights Awards, both corporate and individual, have been awarded to Tempe-based PMT Ambulance and long-time supporters and activists Marcy Hewlett and Gail Gamertsfelder, respectively.

Three Community Activists will be honored for their tireless work in their own region of Arizona. Representing Northern Arizona is Sarah Friedmann, community activist and active member of the Equality Team in Flagstaff.

A Yuma activist will be honored for the first time at these awards. Michael Baughman, founder of Yuma County Gay Rights Meetup and The Amancio Project, has worked for nearly 50 years in Yuma, bringing attention and advocacy to southern Arizona. He is featured in the documentary “Amancio… Two Faces on a Tombstone” about the murder and investigation of Amancio Corales.

Phoenix Police Detective Tambra Williams, will receive the Activist Award for Central Arizona. She has been the face of the Phoenix PD in the LGBT community for the last 7 years and has truly been there to serve and protect our interests and safety.

There are two newly created awards this year. The William S. “Bill” MacDonald Leadership Award is being presented to Senator Ken Cheuvront and the Equality Arizona Ally Award will go to the parents of US Representative Gabby Giffords, Spencer and Gloria Giffords from Tucson.

The final award of the evening will be given to Mr. Skip Schrader (posthumously) for his generous financial support to the LGBT movement nationally in order to eliminate LGBT discrimination.

The 19th Annual Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, June 5th at the Fairmont Scottsdale, 7575 E Princess Drive. Tickets and sponsorships are still available at www.equalityarizona.org or by calling 602-650-0900.