Bishop Gene Robinson, Udi Behr to be honored at 5th Annual Bear to Make a Difference Gala

The Matthew Shepard Foundation this fall will honor a pioneer in the fight for equal rights, and a leading entrepreneur, for their longstanding commitments to the equality and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons.

Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire will receive the “Making a Difference” Award. He has been active particularly in the area of full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Working at the state, national and international levels, he has spoken out in favor of equal protection under the law and full civil marriage rights for same-sex couples. He has been honored by many LGBT organizations for this work, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Equality Forum. Bishop Robinson was invited by the Presidential Inaugural Committee and Barack Obama to give the invocation at the opening of pre-inaugural ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18, 2009.

Udi Behr (left), creator of Love and Pride and a native of Israel, lived through three wars determined to create things of beauty and to promote peace. After learning his trade in the Tel Aviv diamond industry, his fame as an original designer took off upon his arrival in New York in 1983. Behr created the ‘Erase Hate Pendant’ for Judy Shepard, and has now sold pendants worldwide in memory of Matthew. Behr will be honored with the “Essential Piece Award” for his commitment to ‘Celebrating Love’ and ‘Erasing Hate’ within the GLBT community.

The awards are the centerpieces of the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s annual “Bear to Make a Difference” gala dinner and celebrity teddy-bear auction. The dinner, now in its ninth year, takes place at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at the Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Denver.

Hosted by ABC7News Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, the dinner also features a special welcome and remarks from Judy Shepard.

An after-dinner live auction of personalized and autographed celebrity teddy bears provides a critical fundraising component, which supports the foundation’s pro-diversity educational outreach to schools, colleges and corporations. This year’s offerings were contributed by Lady Gaga, Sarah McLachlan, Sharon Osbourne, Madonna, Bobby Flay, Naomi and Wynonna Judd, Meryl Streep, Garth Brooks, Gloria Estefan and many other notable personalities.

The gala event also includes a 5:30 P.M. cocktail reception and a concurrent silent auction, and concludes with an after-dinner party. Tickets and more information are available online at www.MatthewShepard.org or via the foundation office, 303-830-7400.