HRC Carolinas Announces 2007 Award winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Bert Woodard, 2007 HRC Carolinas Gala Public Relations/Marketing Co-
Chair, 704-332-9060, woodardbert@...


HRC Carolinas Announces Winners for 2007 Equality Award,
Community Service Award, and Legacy/Trailblazer Award


Charlotte, NC – February X, 2007 – The Human Rights Campaign's (HRC)
Carolinas Gala committee has awarded the 2007 Community Service Award
to Alliance of AIDS Services • Carolinas, the Equality Award to
Rainbow Radio, and the Legacy/Trailblazer Award to Scott Vitez. The
winners will receive their awards at the 12th Annual HRC Carolinas
Gala on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at the Charlotte Convention
Center.

"These awards are the only LGBT recognitions that are truly meant to
focus on the amazing efforts that are happening in the LGBT
communities across the Carolinas," said Robert Dogens, 2007 HRC
Carolinas Gala Awards committee chairman. "So many individuals and
organizations in both states work tirelessly for tolerance, fairness
and equality. Each year we have an open call for nominations to
ensure that we have an opportunity to reflect our diverse community
and the inspirational efforts toward achieving full acceptance and
equality. We are so proud of our 2007 winners."

The 2007 HRC Carolinas Community Service Award recognizes an
organization for contributions at the grassroots level to issues and
concerns of the Carolinas' LGBT community and its allies. Alliance of
AIDS Services • Carolinas (AASC) has been providing compassionate and
non-judgmental care, prevention education, and advocacy services to
persons living with HIV/AIDS, their families, and their communities
for more than 15 years in the Raleigh area. The agency visits such
venues as high schools, health fairs, prisons, nightclubs, college
fraternity houses and churches to educate, minister to and protect
those living with or at risk of infection with HIV/AIDS. AASC meets
the spiritual needs of its clients in an affirming manner as well as
meeting their needs for food, shelter, and medical services.

The 2007 HRC Carolinas Equality Award recognizes an outstanding group
that has furthered the progress of civil rights for LGBT persons.
Rainbow Radio of Columbia was the first broadcast program in South
Carolina to serve the state's LGBT community directly. It continues
to address numerous issues not articulated by mainstream media
outlets including legal, political, religious, mental and physical
health matters. Rainbow Radio is dedicated to relaying the voices of
LGBT South Carolinians and spreading their message in the fight for
equal rights. The broadcast reaches listeners locally and beyond
through a consistently updated website. Rainbow Radio is also
committed to exhibiting a diverse and unprecedented range of
viewpoints.

The 2007 HRC Carolinas Legacy/Trailblazer Award recognizes an
individual who has contributed efforts to improve the lives and
visibility of LGBT people over a long period of time and is seen as a
role model to others. Scott Vitez's desire to bring campy fun to
HIV/AIDS fundraising led him to organize a supporting cast of friends
and in 2000, Gay BINGO was born. His alternate personality, "Miss
Shelita Hamm," and his quick wit kept everyone coming back month
after month. Vitez's goal was not only to raise money but also to
raise awareness of the work of Regional AIDS Interfaith Network
(RAIN), where he serves as a long-time HIV/AIDS CareTeam volunteer
and board member. Gay BINGO became a destination for LGBT and
straight alike to openly mix and mingle and was voted "Best Zany
Night Out" by Charlotte Observer readers.

Founded in 1980, HRC is America's largest civil rights organization
working to achieve LGBT equality. HRC effectively lobbies Congress,
provides campaign support to fair-minded candidates, and works to
educate the public on a wide array of topics affecting LGBT
Americans, including relationship recognition, workplace, family, and
health issues. In addition, the HRC Foundation engages in extensive
research and provides education and programming. HRC currently has
over 500,000 members, including more than 18,000 in the Carolinas.

HRC hosts annual fundraising Galas throughout the country to support
its mission of building an America where LGBT people are ensured of
their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home,
at work and in the community.

For more information and to purchase Gala tickets, e-mail
info@... or visit www.hrccarolinas.org.

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