2011
Special thanks to this year’s sponsors:
Local Sponsors
National Sponsors
Special thanks to these outstanding Table Captains.
André St. Pierre & James Christian
Andy Broder & Jimmy Yianmias
AZ Frontrunners
Becky Allison & Margeux Schaffer
Brian Stranghoner
Claudine M. Sanchez & Kelly Wessel
Dan Mallar
Daniel Miller
Elizabeth J. McConnell
Gary Egan
HERO
Katherine Wagner/Joel Sundstrom
Kathy and Jessica Young
Kelley Densham
Linda Elliot & Carolyn Lane
Maureen Harrop & Jane Schroeder
Mayan Tahan/Hank Arens
Nathan Rhoton
Patrick Gamble
Scarlett Spring
Shaw Sheppard
Sheila Kloefkorn
T.J. Sirrine
The Phoenix HRC Steering Committee and Gala Co-chairs Claudine M. Sanchez & Patrick Gamble invite you to the 7th Annual Arizona Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner.
Join us on March 19th as we celebrate the most recent major accomplishments in LGBT equality. From the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to the passage of Hate Crimes legislation, our honored speakers and guests have been at the forefront of the LGBT rights movement. You won’t want to miss what is sure to be a memorable evening of fine dining and entertainment complete with an always-exciting auction.
Included in the year’s auction is a Lady Gaga experience, wine packages from several Napa and Sonoma vineyards, accommodation packages at boutique hotels across the country as well as a host of luxury home décor items. We’ve even got a chandelier!
Saturday, March 19, 2011 Phoenix Convention Center – North Ballroom 100 N. 3rd Street Phoenix, AZ 85004
5:30 p.m. | Auction Room Opens for VIP Reception
6:00 p.m. | General Admission in Auction Room
6:40 p.m. | Seating Begins
7:00 p.m. | Dinner Program Begins
Don’t miss the chance to be part of a memorable celebration of fine dining, entertainment, an extraordinary silent auction and important guest speakers.
Dress: Festive/Black Tie Optional
Regular Price
$200.00 Student $100.00 (valid student ID required at registration) AZ Federal Club Member $75.00
Purchase Your Tickets Today! or call Box Office Tickets at 800-494-8497
Need a hotel room? Book your stay at the Holiday Inn Phoenix Downtown North for the HRC Gala. Call 602-595-4444 and ask for the “2011 HRC Dinner” Block (Rate Code: HRC). You can click on this link HRC Rate
For more information please contact Claudine M. Sanchez & Patrick Gamble at 407-697-4589 or email dinner@hrcarizona.org.
Interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor? Download the 2011 Sponsorship Brochure, and Contact André St.Pierre at 602-722-5777 orandre@hrcarizona.org
2011 Guest Speakers Ana Ortiz Ally for Equality Awardee
She’s sassy, she’s supportive and she’s coming to Phoenix! Most notably known as Hilda Suarez from ABC’s hit comedy Ugly Betty, Ana Ortiz is an award-winning actress, proud mother and a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. Among her many accomplishments and accolades, Ortiz has earned ALMA and Imagen awards for her work on the Golden Globe award-winning Ugly Betty. With recurring roles on ABC’s acclaimed Boston Legal, FX’s Over There and as star of the ABC series A.U.S.A. and Kristen, Ortiz is a face you’re sure to recognize! HRC Arizona is proud to honor Ortiz with the 2011 Ally for Equality award.
Judy Shepard Keynote Speaker
In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Matthew’s death moved many thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew’s legacy. The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew during his life: social justice, diversity awareness & education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Honored Guest Daniel Hernandez
Credited with helping to save Rep. Gabrielle Gifford’s life, Daniel Hernandez, Jr. is a hero to many. A recent recipient of the LULAC Presidential Citation Award, Hernandez serves on the Tucson City Commission for GLBT Issues.
Congressman Jared Polis Featured Speaker
Jared Polis is a successful innovator and entrepreneur. He has founded several successful internet companies, including Proflowers.com and bluemountain.com. He was named Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000, the same year he ran for and was elected to the Colorado State Board of Education, where he served as both Chair and Vice-Chair during his six year tenure.Further applying his entrepreneurial spirit to the field of education, Polis founded two innovative charter schools in Colorado, the Academy of Urban Learning and the New America School. He later served as superintendent of the New America School, a public charter school with four locations in Colorado and New Mexico that helps new immigrant students learn English.In 2008, Polis was elected to the 111th Congress, representing Colorado’s second congressional district. He currently serves on the House Education and Labor Committee, Judiciary Committee, and the Rules Committee. He is a charter member and vice-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Coalition, the Chair of the Immigration task-force of the Progressive Caucus, and a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
Eric Alva Retired Marine Staff Sergeant
The first American to be wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and a Purple Heart recipient, Eric Alva, has served as the national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign’s successful fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Linda Elliott Individual Equality Award
From acting as the driving force and founding member of HRC Arizona to serving as a long time member of the board of Body Positive/Southwest Center for Aids, Linda Elliott is one of the hardest-working and most recognizable faces in the Phoenix LGBT community. It is because of Elliott’s pioneering efforts on behalf of HRC and the entire LGBT community in Arizona that we are honored to finally have the opportunity to present her with the 2011 Individual Equality Award.
Joe Solmonese HRC President
Under Joe Solmonese’s leadership, the Human Rights Campaign has been an effective, strategic and creative force in LGBT rights advocacy. Solmonese knows that to promote a better life for all of America’s LGBT people and their families, HRC must make inroads not only in legislatures, but in workplaces, communities, religious congregations, schools, universities and media outlets. A dynamic speaker with a powerful message, Solmonese is one of the most sought-after political voices in progressive politics today.
Live performance by Matt Annecharico
An award-winning musician, Matt Annecharico has gained critical acclaim for both his sultry sound and for his positive messages to youth, especially those suffering from Muscular Dystrophy. All profits from his version of “You Are Not Alone” are being donated to The Trevor Project to help LGBT youth.
Special Thanks to our 2011 Silent Auction Donors
HRC Arizona is hosting its 7th Annual Gala Dinner. This year’s dinner theme is “Freedom: No Excuses” and will be another spectacular evening of celebration, entertainment and guest speakers. In addition to the dinner, HRC will again host an incredible silent auction with an always exciting array of exquisite merchandise, luxury services and amazing art. With your continued support and generous donations for our 2011 event, we will continue that Arizona tradition. We would be delighted if you would join other Arizona and national businesses in contributing one or more items to our 2011 Human Rights Campaign Dinner Silent Auction.
Silent auction donations are an excellent opportunity to showcase your product line and/or services and show your support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Current donors include nationally recognized companies such as Nike, Harrah’s and The Mitchell Gold Company, as well as many local favorites like artist Ellen Wagener, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, Camelback Inn & many other businesses committed to helping HRC achieve our mission of equality. All auction items and donors will be prominently featured in our Dinner Auction with select items featured at our auction preview party and on our dinner web page – www.hrcazdinner.org – for visitors to preview.
For silent auction inquiries, please email us at auction@hrcarizona.org or call 602-689-1980. Thank you for your continued and generous support of the Human Rights Campaign Arizona Dinner.
Sincerely,
Michael Karcher and Kelley Densham
HRC Arizona 2011 Silent Auction Co-Chairs
