Human Rights Campaign announces the recipients of the 2012 Equality Awards

Three awardees include lesbian, transgender and allied women.

PHOENIX—At the 2012 Human Rights Campaign Phoenix Gala, the organization’s biggest event of the year, three women will be commended for their contributions to the LGBT community as recipients of the HRC Individual Equality Award.

Dr. Rebecca Allison, Angela Hughey and Nicole Stanton represent the diversity of the support of gay rights—whether a transgender person, lesbian or allied individual, they all have contributed immensely to the LGBT community.

This year will mark the organization’s eighth annual celebration, bringing together an array of local supporters to “Be a Part of Equality,” the 2012 gala’s theme. Allison, Stanton and Hughey will be honored at the gala on Sat., March 24, beginning at 5:30 PM at the Phoenix Civic Plaza, North Ballroom. Along with the award ceremony, there will be fine dining and entertainment. There will also be chances to win exciting items donated by the generous Phoenix community at a silent auction.

OVERVIEW OF AWARD RECIPIENTS:

Dr. Rebecca Allison

Allison, a Mississippi native, moved her cardiology practice to Arizona after deciding to begin the process of transition. After finding much success in Phoenix, Allison decided to share her story of transitioning, creating a blog about her experiences and other issues important to transgender people. The website became a resource for people looking to find a therapist to aid in transition and for those seeking to have the information changed on their birth certificates.

In 2004, Allison was elected to the Board of Directors of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, and served as GLMA President from 2009 to 2011. In 2011, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

Angela Hughey

Hughey is the co-founder and President of ONE Community, an interactive web and events community for gay, lesbian and allied individuals and businesses. Her rich background in media has helped her succeed in uniting the LGBT community. Past positions include co-founder and president of Filling the Gap, a home entertainment company that focused on LGBT programming for home video markets; vice president of acquisitions/national sales for Spectrum Entertainment; sales manager for Desert Mountain Media; a position at Clear Channel with a focus on Hispanic outreach; and as Director of Sales and Marketing at Latino Perspectives.

Hughey has won awards for her work as an independent filmmaker and was recently inducted into Echo Magazine’s Hall of Fame. She has sat as chair on many committees and boards dedicated to supporting LGBT and Hispanic issues.

Nicole Stanton

Stanton is a well-respected member of the Phoenix law community and is partner at Quarles and Brady LLP. A graduate of University of Arizona, she is listed in Best Lawyers of America’s 2012 edition for malpractice law. Stanton is a distinguished lecturer, author and activist, with many contributions to the Phoenix community.

As the wife of Mayor Greg Stanton, she has adopted an agenda of her own—launching an anti-bullying initiative. The issue is close to her, as her brother was gay and bullied in high school. Though he was not out at the time, football players beat him for displaying effeminate mannerisms and asking for funds for the arts. She is concerned about the rise of cyberbullying and its growing effect on children.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.