Outreach Annouces 2008 Award Winners

RESERVATION DEADLINE FRIDAY, July 11, 2008!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Cris Derrick, Development Assistant
OutReach, (608) 255-8582,
nikkib@lgbtoutreach.org

Steve Starkey, Executive Director

Madison — OutReach is excited to announce the winners of its 2008 Community Achievement Awards.

* Although the circumstances surrounding her death were both tragic and shocking, it is the life of Madison activist Felicia Melton-Smyth that we will remember, warmly and with a genuine sense of loss with the 2008 OutReach Courage Award.

Felicia refused to hide from her transsexual identity. As an activist with the Madison Area Transgender Association (MATA) and at OutReach, she prodded more cautious members of the lesbian and gay community to include the B for bisexual and the T for transgender people. Felicia was also a famous drag performer in the 90?s, and more recently, an outstanding activist for AIDS organizations.

Her fellow MATA activist Michelle Eldridge recently said, “Her friends knew her as a woman who suffered many, many hardships in her life. However, her past rarely dissuaded her from expressing her energetic spirit, warm charismatic caring smile, and the kind giving of her time and devotion to those around her. ”

* This year’s David Runyon Man of the Year Award goes to Brian Wild, Artistic Director of Madison’s own lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender (LGBT) youth-centered Proud Theater. Under Wild?s leadership as Artistic Director, Proud Theater produced four immensely successful shows including Proud Theater: R Evolution (2005), Proud Theater: Unplugged (2006), Proud Theater: Plugged In (2007) and most recently Proud Theater: Loud and Clear (2008).

In addition to Proud Theater, Wild has been an active member of Broom Street Theater for over 16 years, starting his career with the company as an actor in 1992. Of the 55 shows Wild has done for Broom Street Theater, he has acted in 18, written 11, directed 11, composed music for 13 and has also worked in dozens more as a designer of sound, lights, set, programs, posters, and stage management.

* The Susan Green Woman of the Year Award will be presented to Bonnie Augusta, who has seemingly dedicated her life to LGBT Youth. As the LGBT Resource Teacher for the Madison Public School District, Bonnie has given 100% to her position and to her unwavering belief that all kids should have the love and support that they need to flourish. Bonnie’s interest in the well-being of LGBT youth extends past her paid job, it seeps into every aspect of her life ?including her service on the Board of GSA for Safe Schools.

Bonnie has used her superb diplomacy skills to balance the needs of her position. She has advocated for and educated LGBT youth, their families and the community at-large, while also defending her position, which has annually been under attack of the budget-cutting ax. If you fight what is right and fair, you will want Bonnie in your corner.

* We proudly announce our Allies of the Year, Bill and Linda Keys. This dynamic duo, individually and as a couple, have made positive differences in the lives of LGBT people. As one of their nominators wrote, “they are the ultimate one-two punch.” Linda brings solid administrative skills, a sense of humor, fierceness and clarity of thought to all the organizations for which she serves –affiliations with GSA for Safe Schools and Mental Health of Dane County being two among many.

Bill’s imprint on our community cannot be understated. As a teacher, as the President of Madison Teachers Inc., (MTI) — where he won domestic partner benefits –, and as a long time Madison School Board member he consistently has stood up for what was right, but not necessarily popular. Possessing incisive wit and a sharp tongue, Bill has obligated several generations to become bright and critical analysts and has always stood tall against public pressure.

* The 2008 Organization of the Year Award goes to Diverse and Resilient, whose mission is the healthy development of LGBT people in Wisconsin through the development of groups and communities to take action. With a focus on capacity building in LGBT organizations statewide, Diverse and Resilient?s vision, leadership and passion has made a significant impact on the health and well being of underserved groups, LGBT Community Centers network, and many individuals. Diverse and Resilient is committed to being a statewide agent of change for our communities.

* Wayne Gathright will receive the OutReach Volunteer of the Year Award for his long-term significant contributions to MATA and our transgender programming, our Speaker’s Bureau, Earl Greeley Memorial Library and operations of our IT systems. As a volunteer, Wayne is always quick with a helping hand, whether it is transporting panels to speaking engagements or preparing the computer recycling run. Wayne functions in the best tradition of OutReach as a volunteer, and he does so without a great deal of fanfare.

* OutReach extends its Special Recognition Award to Jasmine Christian for her outstanding work with youth programming. Jasmine joined forces with OutReach in Fall of 2007, after a long and active history as a youth volunteer with GSA for Safe Schools and Briarpatch. OutReach is honoring Jasmine for her sustained and energetic efforts in youth programming work and her contributions to our Speaker’s Bureau. Her joyful intensity, sunny demeanor and articulate manner have been extremely effective in developing our fledgling 18-24 year old youth program OutThere, and educating the general public about her experiences and perspectives as a young queer woman of color.

Please join us for OutReach’s 16th Annual Awards Banquet and 35th Birthday Celebration on Friday, July 18, 2008, in the Grand Ballroom of Monona Terrace. We will recognize our 2008 Award Winners, as well as celebrate “35 years Under the Rainbow” — three and one half decades of serving the LGBT communities of Madison and South Central Wisconsin.

This year we will welcome Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin as our keynote speaker. Tammy will address health issues of the LGBT communities. Susan Siman of WISC-TV will be back by popular demand in the role of emcee, and State Representative Mark Pocan will entertain us with the popular ‘Year in Review’ report.

Tickets can be purchased by stopping in at OutReach (600 Williamson St. Suite P-1) or calling (608) 255-8582. Please check out our website at www.outreachinc.com for the meal selections. The cost is $60 per person and $110 per pair (two people, no other criteria necessary). The rate for students and limited income people is $30.00, and we offer a sliding scale as well.