Stonewall Columbus celebrated 25 years of service to the central Ohio LGBT community with its annual benefit and awards presentation A Night OUT on October 21, 2006. The evening was filled with surprises: Tarot Readers, Henna Tattoo Artists, and Belly Dancers with lit candelabras balanced on their heads. A surprise LIVE Auction thanks to Steve Shellabarger, landed David Arocho a pair of tickets to the OSU Michigan game! Not only were the 250 guests surprised by the events of the evening so were our Stoney Award winners. Congratulations and thank you for your volunteerism, activism and human rights efforts which contribute considerably to making Columbus a great place to live, work and raise our LGBT families.
The Volunteer Service Award is for outstanding Volunteer Service to Stonewall Columbus.
Suzie Simpson
Suzie has coordinated the entertainment for Pride and produced both Rockin in the Streets and Dancin in the Streets which both have benefited Stonewall Columbus since 1998. She created the Girlz Rhythm and Rock Camp to give young girls, many who attend on scholarship, a chance to learn to create original music and to build self esteem.
The Media Award is for outstanding coverage and support of the GLBT community
The Columbus Dispatch
This is the first nomination that the Columbus Dispatch has ever received by Stonewall Columbus. The publication did many enlightening and positive articles about our community, however on Saturday we highligted two: The front page article about a young man’s first Gay Pride Parade and experience and the cancer series of articles that followed the journey of a lesbian couple battling cancer.
Andy Sterling, assistant features copy desk chief; and Molly Willow, TV writer. accepted the award for the Columbus Dispatch.
The Leadership Award is for exceptional leadership efforts in the GLBT community
Rob Berger
Rob has served on the board of Stonewall Columbus for several years and was the president when the organization began its quest for a community center. He has worked tirelessly to preserve our history by working with the Ohio Historical Society and producing and recording two History Panel discussions during Pride 2006.
The Community Service Award is given to an organization which has made a significant contribution to the quality of life for the GLBT community in Central Ohio
Equality Ohio
Our first statewide organization Equality Ohio mobilized quickly and set a high standard in the fight for our civil rights. Organizing “Lobby Day” which created awareness at the Capital and the “Get Out the Vote” initiative which educated voters on our issues, this organization has proven to be topnotch on every level.
Rhonda R. Rivera Human Rights Award
Bruce Dooley and Paul Cianelli
These two have been advocates and leaders in our community for over 20 years.
As a couple they are to date the largest contributors to PRIDE by giving a house party that raised $6,000 every year for the event. Bruce chaired A Night OUT for several years ensuring its success and advised Stonewall during the purchase of our buildings. Paul demonstrated his civic leadership on the Downtown Development Commission, Victorian Village Commission, Friends of Goodale Park, Victorian Village Society and 1000 Friends. Business First named Paul one of their 40 under 40 achievers in 2001. Paul not only was respected by the GLBT Community but the central Ohio community as well. Although we lost our dear Paul on June 9, 2006, his legacy lives on.
President’s Award
Richard Gallagher
Jim Ford, Stonewall Board of Trustees President honored Richard Gallagher for his commitment to Stonewall Columbus. Rick has continually stepped up every time that Stonewall needed leadership and dollars. Rick is a silent philanthropist who never seeks recognition for his efforts. Stonewall was pleased to honor him on this night.
