Human Rights Campaign Arizona announces record five individual equality award winners in 2010

PHOENIX, AZ—Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will make history by recognizing five remarkable Arizonans at the 6^th Annual HRC Arizona “Together” Gala on Saturday, March 20, 2010. Unlike years past with only one Individual Equality Award recipient, in 2010 HRC Arizona will recognize five extraordinary individuals that are known as the fathers of the present-day LGBT community in Arizona.

Collectively and more intimately they are known as “The Bills”. “The Bills” have been at the forefront of every major LGBT issue and organization in Arizona since the mid 1980’s individually and as a group. These organizations included groups vital to the community such as the Arizona Aids project, Act Up, and the Arizona Human Rights Fund. They were so entrenched in the community that when something needed to done to advance the cause of the LGBT rights, the cry was simply “call the Bills”. Bill McDonald aptly terms the group as “Fundraising Central” for the monies they helped to raise for over the years that went to these groups as well as the state Democratic party.

“We are thrilled to present ground-breaking activists, supporters and loyal community members that stand out for their dedication to achieve equality for all,” said Nathan Treanor, co-chair HRC Arizona Gala Dinner. “The first ever multi-winner Individual Equality Awards guarantees a memorable celebration that you can not miss!”

F. William “Bill” Sheppard has helped shape the arts community in the Valley and serves as champion for HIV-positive individuals. Attorney and author, Bill Sheppard co-hosted the first openly LGBT political fundraiser in Arizona to elect Terry Goddard as Mayor of Phoenix. He co-founded AIDS Project Arizona (formerly Arizona AIDS Fund–Trust) and served on the Board of Trustees for the Arizona Theatre Company from 1986-1997 and again in 1999–2005. He is currently the board chair of Arizona Action for the Arts.

Bill Lewis, lifelong Arizona resident and philanthropist, is one of the state’s leading political activists and LGBT advocates visible through his leadership and support of endeavors like the Arizona Human Rights Fund, the national Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. Lewis and his longtime life partner Rick Underwood provided the financial support for the Arizona Together campaign to defeat a statewide constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which could have denied thousands of domestic partners access to benefits.

William “Bill” M. Hardin, attorney at Osborn Maledon representing entrepreneurial clients in business transactions and corporate governance matters, is co-founder of Equality Arizona and the Arizona Human Rights Fund, Inc. He has received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Human Rights. He is commissioner of the City of Phoenix Arts Commission and past chair of Art in Public Places Committee. Hardin is on the Institutional Review Board of the Arizona Heart Institute. He serves as director, of the Arizona Economic Resource Organization (AERO) and co-chair of both the Governor’s Council on Innovation and Technology (GCIT) and GCIT Technology Transfer Committee.

The 2010 Together Gala is an annual celebration that brings friends, family, business and community. The annual dinner event is the largest fundraiser of the year for HRC Arizona with special entertainment, a magnificent silent auction, extraordinary awards and invited dignitaries. The celebration begins at 5:30 PM at the Phoenix Convention Center, North Ballroom. Information about sponsorships, donations and tickets is available at www.hrcazdinner.org.