awards will be given to "Orlando's LGBTQ and Latino second responders." These include Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, MBA Orlando, Zebra Coalition, Two Spirit Health Services, Proyecto Somos Orlando, The GLBT Community Center of Central Florida, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando. "In the aftermath of
Pulse, these organizations and individuals showed incredible leadership and bravery. They immediately sprang into action to do whatever needed to be done, to meet the needs of our community and to help us heal," Equality Florida said of these people and groups who heeded thecallforleadershipandunity. Another service and leadership award will be given to Orlando Health. "As Orlando's only level one trauma center, and only two blocks from Pulse, Orlando Health was the epicenter of the critical care for victims of the Pulse shooting," Equality Florida said. "The staff at Orlando Health saved lives a n d s h o w e d i n c re d i b l e bravery...Recently, Orlando Health, along with Florida Hospital, announced that they would forgive the medical bills of victimsofthePulsetragedy." Finally,aserviceandleadership award will be given to the greater Orlando community. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange
County Mayor Teresa Jacobs will accept the award on behalf of the community. "In the days, weeks and months following the Pulse tragedy, the Greater Orlando community showed the entire world our true colors. We showed thatwearestrong,weareinclusive, wearelove,"EqualityFloridasaid. Tickets to the gala are $100 per person, or $50 per person with a valid student ID. Sponsorship opportunitiesarealsoavailablefor people and organizations starting at $500. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please call (407) 462-9692. To buy your tickets, visit eqfl.org. You will not receive a paper ticket; your name will be held at the door the night of the event for verification purposes instead. SUNCOAST CELEBRATION At the Suncoast Celebration, attendees will enjoy music by DJ Jamaal Day, hors d'oeuvres, open bars, decor in the "magical enchanted forest" style, and a program that includes a “State of
the State� address by Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith. The Voice for Equality Award will be presented to Dr. Nancy L. Wilson, Global Moderator at Metropolitan CommunityChurches. Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy L. Wilson became Global Moderator of M e t ro p o l i t a n C o m m u n i t y Churches in 2005 after the retirement of MCC Founder Rev. Elder Troy Perry. She is the worldwide leader of the LGBTaffirming MCC church group, which offers a spiritual outlet for LGBT Christians who have felt ignored or spurned by other houses of worship. President Obama named Rev. Wilson to the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in 2011. She has been named one of 50 "powerful religious leaders making change in the world" by The Huffington Post and was also the first openly gay clergy member to participate in the President's Inaugural Prayer Service at Washington D.C.'s NationalCathedral. Tickets are $125 in advance and $150 at the door. For more information, visit eqfl.org/suncoastcelebration
Hotspots Media Group is proud to support Equality Florida at a number of gala events across the state each year. For more information on both fundraisers, visit eqfl.org. Hotspots Central Florida HotSpotsCentral.LGBT