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.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA—January 26, 2009—The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Arizona, the local committee of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization is pleased to announce that BELIEVE, the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009.  The highly regarded annual event raises critical funds necessary to continue HRC Arizona’s work to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and achieve fundamental fairness and equality for all.

The 2009 BELIEVE Gala is HRC Arizona’s largest fundraiser of the year.  Attendees will enjoy a memorable evening complete with fine dining, a silent auction, guest speakers and a much anticipated appearance by Chelsea Handler, renowned television host, stand-up comedian, actress, and author of two best-sellers.  Ms. Handler is the star of Chelsea Lately on E! Cable Television Network.  Her career spans regular appearances on the Oxygen Network series Girls Behaving Badly and roles on The Bernie Mac Show, The Tonight Show, Weekends at the D.L and The Practice. Festivities begin at 5:30 PM at the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa in Scottsdale.  Information is available at www.hrcazdinner.org.

“We are especially excited to be honoring Chelsea Handler with the Ally for Equality Award for her visible and vocal support in our quest for equality,” said Nathan Treanor, co-chair of the HRC Arizona Gala Dinner.  “Chelsea Handler continues to be an icon in the entertainment world in addition to supporting a worthy cause of equality for all.”

Honorary Co-Chairs for BELIEVE include Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and US Representative from Arizona’s 1st Congressional District Ann Kirkpatrick. The featured guest speaker is HRC’s Chief Diversity Officer, Cuc Vu.

“Our annual dinner is the largest fundraiser each year and the support of the community to HRC Arizona has been outstanding in the past. We are experiencing strong interest again this year with our line up of guest speakers and the featured appearance of Chelsea Handler,” said Kathy Young, co-chair of the HRC Arizona Gala Dinner.

HRC contributed over $150,000 in Arizona in 2008 to its advocacy of equal rights. This included funding the NO to Prop 102 campaign in addition to providing dedicated, experienced staff to work with the campaigns of local candidates supportive of equality and with allied organizations.

To attend the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, visit www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc for tickets or call 800- 494-8497. Individual tickets are $200 if purchased before February 14, 2009 and $250 if purchased after this date. Student tickets are available for $100 with a school ID. Corporate sponsorships also are available. Visit phoenix.hrc.org for more information about HRC Arizona and www.hrcazdinner.org for updates about the dinner.
ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations.

Media Contacts:
Phillip Baker
HRC PR Co-Chair
602-412-1995
phoenix@cox.net

Jamie Glass
Artful Thinkers
602-369-5537
jamie@artfulthinkers.com