Gala Fundraiser by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Draws 600 Guests
MIAMI, FL, October 23, 2008—More than 600 affluent members of South Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, business and political leaders attended The Miami Recognition Dinner on Saturday, October 18th, at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Miami. Hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the gala cocktail and dinner event recognizes the leadership and contributions of individuals who have made significant contributions in the fight for LGBT equality. The evening, which grossed more than $250,000, was emceed by writer//comedian Bruce Vilanch. This year’s honorees were The L Word creator and producer Ilene Chaiken, out journalist and former President Clinton advisor Keith Boykin and local activist and fundraiser Joan Schaeffer.
“Our partnership with the community here through the Miami Recognition Dinner and Winter Party Festival – and especially through the Dade Community Foundation – is one of our most meaningful relationships at the Task Force,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “With your support, much needed dollars flow to important organizations here in Miami- Dade. Since the beginning of our partnership with the Dade Community Foundation just four years ago, we have given more than $600,000 back to the community, and you are stronger for it,” she added.
The gala was co-chaired by Cindy Brown and David J. Price; local dignitaries in attendance included the mayor of Mayor Matti Bower, Miami Beach City Commissioners Saul Gross and Richard Steinberg and Miami Chief of Police John Timoney. Major sponsors included Brinker International, Burger King Corporation, Dade Community Foundation, Cîroc Vodka, Greenberg Traurig, P.A., Halo, South Florida Blade and James G. Pepper.
About the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force was the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organization and remains the community’s uncompromising progressive voice. They fight for equality and justice by building grassroots power through training, advocacy, organizing and forward-thinking research and expertise. They challenge not only the status quo in mainstream America, but politics as usual within the LGBT community, and refuse to make political compromises that would leave anyone behind. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation is a 501(c)(3) corporation. More information is available at www.theTaskForce.org.
Beneficiaries:
The Task Force retains only one-third of the net proceeds from the Dinner and returns the other two-thirds to Miami-Dade LGBT organizations through Dade Community Foundation. Established in 1967, Dade Community Foundation is Greater Miami’s permanent philanthropic endowment for enhancing the quality of life of all Miami-Dade County residents. In 2004, the Foundation established the GLBT Community Projects Fund to distribute the funds raised by the Dinner and Winter Party Festival. Grant recipients since the Fund’s inception include: ACLU Foundation of Florida, Aqua Foundation for Women, Creative Arts Enterprises, Equality Florida, Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Miami Gay Men’s Chorus, Museum of Contemporary Art, Pridelines Youth Services, Safe Schools South Florida, South Beach AIDS Project and Stonewall Library and Archives.
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