The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today announced the line-up for the 10th Annual Palm Springs Garden Party on Saturday, November 7. Judy Shepard, executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation and member of the HRC Foundation board of directors, will receive the Ally for Equality award for her work to pass hate crimes legislation.
Recently out actress Kelly McGillis, star of 'Top Gun' and 'Witness', will also be honored with the HRC Visibility Award.
“We’re grateful to Judy and the Shepard family for their tireless advocacy against hate violence,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This is a critical time in our movement and our push for equal rights. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and DOMA are still on the books and an inclusive ENDA has yet to become law. Real families are left without protections and people living with HIV and AIDS aren’t getting the care they need. Students are being bullied in school because they’re different and bi-national couples are treated like they’ve never met. We need our community to be involved and to become citizen lobbyists.”
