RUM
SUMMER RUM YOUR SUMMER
From Our Executive Director
To my Friends and Task Force Family,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2021 National LGBTQ Task Force Gala in Miami, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this wonderful event. If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that there is nothing more important than the people in our lives. We are humbled and honored to be with you as we continue to navigate new ways of being in community.
Since last year’s virtual gala, our staff and board have focused on the work that must be done in our struggle for liberation – from the steps of the Supreme Court to virtual organizing and events to mobilizing our community – in these challenging times.
The Task Force continues to have an impact beyond our expec tations, albeit in different and creative ways. For the past nearly two years the Task Force, our staff and board have been fighting for passage of the Equality Act, working to save our very democra cy from attacks on voting rights, reproductive rights and so much more. Tonight, we welcome the opportunity to show you how your support of the Task Force helps us in all of these efforts.
We are thrilled to present the National Leadership Award to Bil ly Eichner for his groundbreaking contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. An activist and entertainment icon, he recently began shooting BROS for Universal Pictures. BROS makes Billy the first openly gay man to write, star in and produce a comedy for a major Hollywood studio. In 2018, he launched “Glam Up the Midterms”, a Get Out the Vote campaign for the midterm elections – which have historically had lower voter engagement.
We are also proud to honor local hero Robin J. Schwartz, who will receive the 2021 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award. Robin is an activist and community leader who has served the LGBTQ community in multiple capacities over the past 20 years. The many causes she has championed include the advancement of LGBTQ women, support for young people who find themselves homeless, and racial justice.
As we reflect on the 25th year for this event and the Task Force’s upcoming 50th anniversary, it is vital we also honor those in the LG BTQ+ community who are creating change long in the future. To night, we recognize ChangeMaker Jasmine McKenzie, the founder of the McKenzie project. The project uplifts Black trans and non binary folx 18 and older in the South Florida area, with a focus on
those experiencing homelessness and engaging in survival sex work. Jasmine is also co-founder of the inaugural Trans Games in 2022. Given the recent attacks on trans athletes, particularly young people, we are inspired by her work and vision.
Finally, we know this event could not happen without the passion, commitment and hard work of our Gala committee members and the many volunteers. We have done everything possible to cre ate a safe environment to gather after so much time spent apart. I would like to thank our Gala Chair, Dan Marinberg, and Vice Chair, Jeff Oliverio, along with our diverse and dedicated team of staff and volunteers who epitomize the spirit and values of the Task Force. They have created an experience that will feed our spirits and create the kind of energetic, celebratory community space we have all missed so much.
I also would like to thank every sponsor, every table captain, and everyone who purchased a ticket or donated an item to our auc tion. The funds raised at tonight’s Gala will fuel the Task Force’s “All of Me, All the Time” campaign to educate elected officials and the general public about the urgent need for federal non-discrimina tion protections. The Task Force will also make a substantial dona tion to The Miami Foundation’s LGBTQ Community Fund, where like-minded community service organizations are funded through a grant-making process. To date the Task Force has donated more than $3.3 million, and more than 90 local LGBTQ programs have received funding.
As we continue to navigate these challenging times, I feel con fident knowing that we are all in this together. I hope you know your support means the world to all of us at the National LGBTQ Task Force.
Yours in the struggle.
Kierra Johnson (she/they) Executive DirectorTHANK YOU NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE FOR STANDING UP FOR EQUALITY
Vertical Bridge is dedicated to giving back to our respective communities in which we live and work as one of our core values. We believe in supporting the charitable organizations that are meaningful to our employees and clients. We contribute not only time but also nancial resources each year to these organizations, and our employees provide thousands of volunteer hours to help them achieve their missions. In 2020, Vertical Bridge donated over $1.5M to over 149 charities and deserving causes across the nation. www.verticalbridge.com
From Our Gala Chair
Dear Gala Guests,
Welcome to a very momentous occasion for the oldest na tional organization championing the rights of LGBTQ people -the 25th Annual National LGBTQ Task Force Gala. We have all been tested and challenged these last 2 years -- as individuals, as spouses and partners, as business leaders and employees, and as a community. In the uncertainty of the early days of a global pandemic, we came together to help each other, care for each other, and protect each other. We sacrificed our ability to socialize and to see loved ones in an effort to protect them and keep them safe.
This period of loss, fear and isolation weighed on all of us, which is why we are so optimistic and charged to be with you again in person this year. This is a return to celebrating with one another; to enjoying the warmth of our friends and loved ones; to being able to unite the community in one place for a very special night. At the Gala this year we once again stand together to show we are still strong, we are resilient, and nothing can derail our mission of LGBTQ advocacy and progress across the nation.
Through our presence and efforts tonight, we are proudly able to raise funds for the National LGBTQ Task Force to advocate for federal nondiscrimination protections and to donate funds back to our South Florida LGBTQ nonprofits to support their own targeted missions for our community. The Task Force has granted over $3.3 million over the years to youth, arts and cul ture, advocacy, community building, and social services non profits that work to improve the lives of our LGBTQ community. Tonight, we continue that work and legacy. We owe this mo mentous occasion and the celebration that is tonight to our first responders, our medical professionals, our scientists, and to the efforts of our own community to get vaccinated and keep each other safe. Thank you!
For such an important celebration as our 25th Gala, we are ex cited and proud to honor incomparable and inspiring local and national honorees with the Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award and the National Leadership Award, respectively. As you will read in this journal, they are extremely well deserving of their respective recognitions and the thanks of our community.
The Gala and this night would not have been possible without
the tireless work of our volunteer Gala Committee and the Task Force staff. I am overwhelmed by the depth of their devotion and desire to truly help our community, and by their unwavering commitment and leadership. I could not have asked for a more talented, fun, and brilliant group than the one that assembled this year to bring together this event in such uncertain times. The leadership of the Task Force staff, locally and nationally, and our Executive Director, Kierra Johnson, is without parallel.
To the many volunteers who have donated their talents and their personal time to create a magnificent, unforgettable and safe experience for all of us -- thank you! To our sponsors, donors, guests, underwriters, entertainers -- thank you for sup porting us, for putting your faith in us, and for being with us on this important night. When all of us come together and work together towards a common goal and a common dream, it is hard to think of anything we cannot do. Let’s all revel in our collective power and energy, and Imagine…
Sincerely, Daniel Marinberg 2021 Gala Chairon Sundays
About Eddy McIntyre
Sometimes awards are named after people who stand out in the community. The Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award is named for someone who stood out and stood up.
The breadth of Eddy’s interests and contribu tions across this community are legion. It was clear that Eddy understood the society we lived in was ours to create, even as it shaped us. Eddy understood that if he saw some thing needed, he could help make it happen. Eddy understood that community is a partic ipatory and not a passive experience. And, of course, Eddy never sought any personal credit or acknowledgment.
But Eddy had no trouble giving recogni tion to others. As a founding board member of the Dade Human Rights Foundation, it was Eddy, along with his co-board member Rose mary Wilder, who envisioned an annual dinner to acknowledge and appreciate the service of some of the community’s leaders. Thus the Task Force Gala was born, a celebration to honor many who have made wonderful contributions to our community. And though each one likely made his or her contributions without thought of recognition or thanks, they nonetheless received both.
Eddy received neither recognition nor the award, no matter how well deserved it was. He probably would have been em barrassed to receive this honor while alive, seeming to him too unseemly to receive an award he had helped to establish.
But the fact remains that Eddy well belonged in that select group of honorees. So as we go forward, we want to be sure that each of the future’s honorees understands that he or she is in Eddy’s company.
The National LGBTQ Task Force Gala, and the LGBTQ Community Fund at The Miami Foundation, which is funded by the proceeds of this event, therefore named the annual Community Service Award as the Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award. And so by saying “Thank You” to others, we keep alive the spirit, the passion, and the empowerment that Eddy so selflessly shared with us all.
Adapted by Jerry Chasen from his remarks announcing the naming of the Award.
Robin J. Schwartz
2021 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award
The National LGBTQ Task Force is very proud to present Rob in J. Schwartz with the 2021 Eddy McIntyre Community Ser vice Award. Robin is an activist and community leader who has served the LGBTQ community in multiple capacities over the past 20 years. The many causes she has championed include the advancement of LBT women, youth homelessness, and ra cial justice. She has been an outspoken advocate for marginal ized communities, lobbying LGBTQ leaders and organizations to give them a seat at the table.
Robin is one of the South Florida Board of Directors who founded Aqua Foundation for Women, and she served from 2010 to 2014 as the organization’s Executive Director and from 2017 to 2019 as its Managing Director. Her accomplishments at Aqua included: raising $100,000 to launch the first formal program to address LGBTQ youth homelessness; producing TransCon, an annual two-day conference designed to empow er and educate the transgender and non-binary community and their allies; developing the Emerging Leadership Confer ence, a program for Aqua Foundation scholarship recipients that provides them with mentors and informs them on a wide array of topics; and creating the Aqua Family BBQ, an annual event to bring parents and their kids together in a safe space where kids with same-sex parents could see other families that look like theirs.
In the wake of the George Floyd murder last year, Robin se cured funding from Our Fund to provide antiracism training for the leaders of South Florida LGBTQ organizations. She recent ly secured an additional grant to provide for antiracism work shops. During the height of the pandemic last summer, Robin was instrumental in persuading the Miami Dolphins to include local LGBTQ agencies in their program to distribute food to those in need.
Robin has held a number of highly visible volunteer positions in various LGBTQ organizations, including Vice Chair of Miami Beach Gay Pride, Chair of the LGBTQ Advisory Committee for the City of Miami Beach, a member of the Advisory Commit tee for the LGBTQ Community Fund at the Miami Foundation and a committee member of the National LGBTQ Task Force
Gala. Currently she is the Donor Relations and Program Manag er at Equality Florida and serves on the LGBTQ Advisory Com mittee for the City of Miami Beach, and formerly served on the LGBTQ Advisory Board of Miami Dade County.
Throughout her professional life, whether it be for profit or non-profit, Robin takes great pride in being proactive and driv en to achieve results, all with a big heart and a strong voice.
LGBTQ
Force
Billy Eichner
2021 National Leadership Award
The National LGBTQ Task Force is proud to award the 2021 National Leadership Award to four-time Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, writer and producer Billy Eichner. Last month Eichner began shooting BROS, which will premiere in theatres next summer, for Universal Pictures. BROS makes Billy the first openly gay man to write, star in and produce a comedy for a major Hollywood studio. Additionally, he is set to star in and produce Man in the Box, a biopic based on the life of groundbreaking TV icon Paul Lynde.
In 2018 Billy launched “Glam Up the Midterms”, a Get Out the Vote campaign for the midterm elections. He recruited celebrities as well as local leaders and activists from across the country to encourage people to vote in the midterms. He was among six out entertainment professionals chosen to grace the cover of the Variety’s inaugural “Power of Pride” issue in June 2019, where he used the platform to shine a light on homophobia in the industry. He received the Visibility Award at the 2017 HRC San Francisco Gala. More recently, Billy was a Senior Advisor to Swing Left, an organization committed to building a lasting culture of grassroots participation in winning elections for the Left, in the lead up to the 2020 Presidential election.
His iconic, critically acclaimed series Billy on the Street, was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in the category of “Outstanding Variety Sketch Series” in 2018. This was the second of three Primetime Emmy nominations for the series, which was also nominated for a segment Billy hosted with former First Lady Michelle Obama. The series is now on Netflix, and clips from it have garnered over 100 million views online. Billy has over 2 million Twitter followers, which has made him a longtime social media force to be reckoned with.
Previously, Billy co-starred on two seasons of Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series, American Horror Story, as well as Hulu’s critically acclaimed series Difficult People. He most recently co-starred in Disney’s live-action remake of The Lion King as the voice of Timon, opposite Seth Rogen, Donald Glover and Beyoncé Knowles.
Billy can currently be seen as the infamous Matt Drudge in American Crime Story: Impeachment, alongside Sarah Paulson, Beanie Feldstein, Edie Falco and Clive Owen.
Jasmine McKenzie
2021 ChangeMaker Award
As we celebrate a quarter-century of uniting communities, honoring heroes and advancing equality, the Task Force is pre senting – for the first time – a ChangeMaker Award. This award is intended to recognize someone who embodies our vision for a society where LGBTQ+ people are free to be themselves, who works to remove barriers for the LGBTQ+ community, and who is committed to transforming society for future generations.
Jasmine is a Black transgender woman who is dedicated to changing the community by making sure other Black transgen der and nonbinary people have a safe and amazing future and fighting for equity for her community. She is currently working to build a drop-in center that caters to the needs of Black trans gender and nonbinary people in South Florida. Jasmine is also a passionate and active member of the South Florida Ballroom community and serves as the Mother of the iconic House of Eb ony. She is also co-chair for 2021 Trans Pride Fort Lauderdale. In her spare time Jasmine enjoys designing pageant wear and avant-garde hair art. In 2016 she established her own business, Color N Raw, which is a black LGBTQ+ photography and mod eling studio located in Dania Beach, Florida, and is patronized by the Ballroom and Black South Florida community.
Jasmine and her allies are also planning the 2022 Trans Games, an indoor/outdoor sporting event for transgender and nonbinary people from throughout the United States to come together under one roof to compete against one another.
BDO is Proud to Support the National LGBTQ Task Force
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Your Hosts for the 25th Edition Gala
CHRISTINA BIANCO
We are thrilled to welcome Christina Bianco to Miami Beach this year after her show-stopping rendition of our sponsor thank you song during the 2020 Virtual Gala.
From stage to screen, Christina’s singular voice and comedic charm have brought audiences around the world to their feet. She captured international acclaim as a YouTube sensation with her impression videos, gaining over 25 million views. Dubbed ”The Girl Of A Thousand Voices,” she’s performed on major television programs including, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Today Show
A two-time Drama Desk Award nominee, Christina made her West End debut in For bidden Broadway. New York credits include The Marvelous Wonderettes, Appli cation Pending (which earned her a Drama Desk nomination), Newsical the Musical, and Forbidden Broad way Goes to Rehab (another Drama Desk nomination). Most recently, Chris tina played the iconic role of Fanny Brice at the Theatre Marigny’s celebrat ed production of Funny Girl in Paris, earning unanimous rave reviews. Next she’ll star in the upcoming UK tour of The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, be ginning March 2022.
Television credits include POPtv’s Impress Me, Hallmark’s Signed Sealed, Delivered, and frequent voice RuPaul’s Drag Race.
has performed her critically ac claimed concerts across the U.S. and abroad, including two UK tours and extended runs in London, Scotland, South Africa and Aus tralia at the Sydney Opera House. She fre quently performs as a soloist with major US and Canadian symphonies. Her live album, , was released in 2018.
KENNEDY DAVENPORT
We are proud to welcome one of the hottest enter tainers to come out of the state of Texas, Miss Ken nedy Davenport. As an en tertainer who takes female impersonation as a true art form and means of expres sion, Kennedy has spent years training in different forms of dance, including ballet, jazz, modern and Af rican dance. She appeared on stage in the play Some times it Snows in Atlanta.
After capturing her first major title, Miss Texas Newcomer of The Year, she went on to capture Miss Black Texas 2000 and Miss Southwest Universe 2001. Her club titles include Miss Met ro (Dallas), Miss Brick (Dallas) and Miss Azucar 2005 and Mr. Azucar 2007 here in Miami.
After relocating to the sunshine state of Florida, by way of the United States Navy, Kennedy’s career took off as she simultane ously served her country! With her high energy dance numbers she performed all over the United States, Jamaica, and the Ba hamas while continuing to win title after title.
Kennedy appeared on America’s Got Talent and season 3 of Skin Wars. In 2018 she placed as the runner up in season 3 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. She kept that momentum going in to 2019 by becoming Miss Oklahoma Bold and Beautiful and Miss Pride South Florida. She also obtained a career-long dream of earning the title Miss Gay US of A 2019/2020. In 2020 she appeared in the Netflix limited series AJ and the Queen. She currently stays busy with online shows and cameos and traveling (when Covid restric tions don’t interfere) and meeting and interacting with all of her beloved fans in the U.S. and world-wide.
MELINDA DOOLITTLE
Our third host for the evening is soul–stirring songstress Melin da Doolittle. She is a flawless vocalist with irresistible artistry and effortless style compelling her audiences to keep listening.
Tone deaf as a child, Melinda’s choir teacher would plead with her not to sing but just silently move her mouth. Undaunted, her love of singing drove her to enter a talent show in the sev enth grade where she stunned the audience with her miracu lously spot-on vocals and beautiful voice.
Melinda graduated with a Bachelors in Music from Bel mont University in Nashville, Tennesse. She became a highly sought-after background vocalist singing for musical icons in cluding Michael McDonald, Aretha Franklin, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Aaron Neville and Jonny Lang.
Melinda became a household name during season six of American Idol in 2007. She came in third in the voting and Si mon Cowell called her his “personal favorite.” In 2009, she released her debut album Coming
The New York Times hailed her as one of the most “phenomenally gifted” singers in years. In 2013, she released her sophomore album You’re The Reason. Peo ple Magazine stated, “Her voice is a slinky purr then a mighty growl that will keep you coming back for more.” In the middle of her album releases, she penned her book Beyond Me: Finding Your Way to Life’s Next Level. Melinda was also the well-loved co-host of TV Line’s Reality Check
Melinda continues to thrill au diences everywhere from the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame to The White House, from the Copa Room to Carn egie Hall. She is currently headlining her own soulful show Great Ameri can Soul Book
TRACY YOUNG
Imagine… After the Gala DJ
2021 marks the debut of the reimagined dance portion of the Gala, and we’re honored to have one of our community’s most beloved DJs, Tracy Young, providing the music! Tracy is a Grammy Award-winning producer, remixer, DJ, composer, and owner of Ferosh Records. Young has “officially remixed” for over 100+ musical artists, including 14 exclusively for Ma donna. She has racked up over 60 #1 U.S. Billboard Dance Club Chart hits since 2000.
Of the 14 tracks on which they’ve collaborated to date, Ma donna and Tracy’s most historic collaboration is the anthemic “I Rise” (Tracy Young Pride Intro Radio Remix), which won a Gram my at the 62nd Annual Awards. The Grammy marks Tracy as the first woman to win and be nominated in the “Best Remixed Recording” category since its inception in 1998.
The City of Miami Beach awarded Tracy with a Proclamation Ceremony on December 11, 2019, officially naming “Tracy Young Day” in Miami Beach.
Tracy produces both originals for her Ferosh Records label and reimagined dance remixes with various artists and labels. A complete list of collaborations with artists like Cyndi Lauper, Be yoncé, Stevie Nicks, k.d. lang, Idina Menzel, Christina Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Cher, Debbie Gibson, P!nk, Rhianna, Lady Gaga and so many more are on the Discography page of her website.
Active in the studio, Tracy is working on new music with releas es expected throughout 2021. For more information please visit www.tracyyoung.com.
We,ve got your back, Florida.
Florida Blue is proud to support the good work of our neighbors.
For over 75 years, Florida Blue, your local Blue Cross Blue Shield, has been among the many businesses dedicated to helping Floridians.
We’re proud to support the National LGBTQ Task Force as a part of our ongoing commitment to helping people in Florida stay healthy.
With our partners, we will continue to serve 5 million members, and all our communities, in the state we love to call home.
Friends,
With great pride it is my honor to welcome you back to Miami Beach for the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala. Your work is so vital and we our privileged to host you in our community.
We are defined by our commitment to social justice , which is why our City doesn’ t just check the boxes; rather we create the boxes that other cities check. We fly our Rainbow Flag every day because the march toward equality requires an everyday commitment. Since you were here last, we christened our beautiful and brand new “Pride Park ,” and named one of the streets abutting it after Harvey Milk.
A special call out to local hero Robin Schwartz who is to be honored with the 2021 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award. I know Robin, and Eddy was a friend from our days in law school together. I believe he would be so proud that Robin received this high honor bearing his name.
Thanks to the many activists and community leaders who work tirelessly each year to put on this successful event. Please enjoy your time in our beautiful city.
Sincerely, Dan GelberGrant Recipients
Since its inception, the Task Force Gala has provided vital funding for organizations serving the South Florida LGBTQ community. When the National LGBTQ Task Force assumed responsibility for the Gala and for Winter Party Festival in 2004, it committed to re turning a significant portion of the proceeds from these events to local service organizations through a grant-making process adminis tered by The Miami Foundation. To date, the Task Force has donated over $3.3 million to the Foundation’s LGBTQ Community Fund!
As the COVID-19 pandemic was first impacting our community in spring 2020, the Task Force and The Miami Foundation collaborated to expedite the distribution of funds from the 2019 Gala and the 2020 Winter Party Festival to the following organizations:
ALLIANCE FOR LGBTQ YOUTH
ARIANNA’S CENTER
EQUALITY FLORIDA INSTITUTE
FREEDOM FUND NETWORK
LATINOS SALUD
MAVEN LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE
PRIDELINES YOUTH SERVICES
SAFE SCHOOLS SOUTH FLORIDA
SAVE FOUNDATION, INC.
SURVIVORS PATHWAY
YES INSTITUTE
In January of 2020, the Task Force made an additional donation of $50,000 to the LGBTQ Community Fund. Grants from that donation were awarded to:
ARIANNA’S CENTER
FOO SOCIETY
MAVEN LEADERSHIP COLLECTIVE
NATIONAL VOICES FOR EQUALITY, EDUCATION, AND ENLIGHTENMENT (NVEEE)
SURVIVORS’ PATHWAY
YOU
Thank you, Robin J. Schwartz, a friend and longtime partner of The Miami Foundation, for many years of strengthening our community and advocating for equity in Miami.
As the Mayor of one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse destinations, I am so proud to stand in full support of our LGBTQ community.
On behalf of the people of Miami-Dade County, we are committed to standing up for our LGBTQ friends and neighbors and speaking out against injustices wherever possible.
out against injustices wherever possible.
While we still have much more work to do and many more hearts and minds to change, we continue to see great wins and progress – thanks in no small part to all of you.
While we still have much more work to do and many more hearts and minds to change, we continue to see great wins and progress – thanks in no small part to all of you.
Congratulations to the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala and to all the honorees. The work you do makes our community and our country more inclusive, welcoming, and equal for all.
Congratulations to the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala and to all the honorees. The work you do makes our community and our country more inclusive, welcoming, and equal for all.
Never stop fighting the good fight. With pride,
Never stop fighting the good fight. With pride,
Mayor Daniella Mayor DaniellaGreetings!
Friends,
With great pride it is my honor to welcome you back to Miami Beach for the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala. Your work is so vital and we our privileged to host you in our community.
We are defined by our commitment to social justice , which is why our City doesn’ t just check the boxes; rather we create the boxes that other cities check. We fly our Rainbow Flag every day because the march toward equality requires an everyday commitment. Since you were here last, we christened our beautiful and brand new “Pride Park ,” and named one of the streets abutting it after Harvey Milk.
As the proud Mayor of one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse communities, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you to the 2021 National LGBTQ Task Force Gala. The work that you do to promote LGBTQ rights across our community and beyond has truly helped to make the world we live in a better one. On behalf of Miami Dade’s nearly 3 million residents, we’re so grateful for your service and advocacy.
A special call out to local hero Robin Schwartz who is to be honored with the 2021 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award. I know Robin, and Eddy was a friend from our days in law school together. I believe he would be so proud that Robin received this high honor bearing his name.
I also want to commend and celebrate this year’s award recipients, as well as Robin Schwartz, whose tireless activism continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of countless members of our LGBTQ community.
Thanks to the many activists and community leaders who work tirelessly each year to put on this successful event. Please enjoy your time in our beautiful city.
Sincerely,For those of you visiting Miami Dade County for this occasion, I encourage you to take advantage of all that South Florida has to offer, including our world class beaches, fantastic restaurants, and unique neighborhoods. To ensure a safe and successful event and keep our community safe, please remember to wear a facemask when indoors and maintain social distancing.
I’m proud to continue working alongside all of you to build a more tolerant, diverse, and thriving Miami Dade and world.
All the best,
Dan Gelber375
www.markmigdal.com
MM&H is proud to celebrate 25 years of vision, passion and advocacy for equality FOR ALL
Congratulations to our friend and comrade, Robin Schwartz, for her years of tireless work for the LGBTQ Community of South Florida
Contact: Don Hayden, MM&H founding partner and board member of the National LGBTQ Task Force (305) 374-6620 don@markmigdal.com
Auction Donors
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American Airlines
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Barry’s Bootcamp Miami Beach
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National LGBTQ Task Force
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The Standard, East Village
The Standard, Miami Beach The Trellis House
Tom Healy and Fred P. Hochberg
Toscana Divino
Tucci
TWIST Sobe V76 by Vaughn Vacaya Villain Theater W Fort Lauderdale Wabi Sabi Weissmann & Mehrel Dermatology
Wet International Whittall & Shon Xavier Cortada Zachary & Allison Julius Zammy Migdal Studio
Ryder is proud to support the National LGBTQ Task Force, and applauds the work of this year’s honorees as we work together to create the life and world we imagine: Where you can be you.
a
YOUR IMAGINATION IS YOUR PREVIEW OF LIFE’S COMING ATTRACTIONS.
– Albert Einstein
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We are proud to support the 25th annual National LGBTQ Task Force Gala and commend your efforts to advance LGBTQ rights across the country.
Celebrate Educate Change
TD Securities is proud to sponsor the 25th National LGBTQ Task Force Gala in support of the LGBTQ community and the journey towards true equity.
Introducing Truist Wealth
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To learn more, contact:
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Faren-Oliverio Group of Truist Investment Services, Inc. 954-765-7416 arthur.g.faren@truist.com
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Faren-Oliverio Group of Truist Investment Services, Inc. 954-765-7417
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PROUDLY ENDORSED BYAbout Task Force
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, jus tice and equality for LGBTQ people. We’re building a future where everyone is free to be themselves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we’ve made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in
Boards of Directors
CANDY COX (CO-CHAIR) Herndon, VA
DR. ANIKA SIMPSON (CO-CHAIR)) Washington, DC
ERIK MORIN** (ACTION FUND CHAIR) Sherman Oaks, CA
RODNEY MCKENZIE, JR. (SECRETARY) Washington, DC
COLGATE DARDEN* (TREASURER) Miami, FL
JUAN PEÑALOSA* Miami, FL
(AF Secretary/Treasurer)
Miami Beach, FL & Asheville, NC
PETER CHANDLER* Washington, DC
LIEBE GADINSKY (CO-CHAIR) Miami Beach, FL
MONISHA HARRELL** Seattle, WA
DON HAYDEN Miami Shores, FL
ROSE HAYES San Francisco, CA
every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, health care, retirement, and basic human rights. These barriers must go. That’s why the Task Force is training and mobilizing mil lions of activists across our nation to deliver a world where you can be you.
JEFFERY HOYLE Denver, CO
DAN MARINBERG Miami Shores, FL
HEZ NORTON** Boston, MA
DAVID PEREZ Washington, DC
JEREMY RYE* New York, NY
CANDELARIO SALDANA Charlotte, NC
ALMAS SAYEED Los Angeles, CA
STEPHEN SEO Los Angeles, CA
ANDREW SOLOMON* New York, NY
KIM STONE Miami, FL
JASON TESTER San Francisco, CA
KEVIN WANG Seattle, WA
* serves on both c3 & c4
** serves on c4 only
Special Thanks
Leadership Council
We extend a heartfelt thanks to our Leadership Council mem bers for their continued support of the Task Force and the Task Force Action Fund. Leadership Council members make an an nual gift of $1,500 or more and give the Task Force the flexibili
Current Leadership Council Donors as of June 30, 2021
Thank you to our individual donors
PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE ($100,000.00 + )
Janet M. Edwards
Andrew Solomon & John Habich Solomon
Howard Solomon & Sarah Solomon
VICE PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE ($50,000.00 + )
Steven Holley
Emily Rosenberg & Darlene deManicor
Weston F. Milliken
EXECUTIVE CIRCLE ($25,000.00 + )
Anonymous
Liebe & Seth Gadinsky
Stanley Newman & Brian Rosenthal
Jeffrey P. Oliverio
AMBASSADOR'S CIRCLE($10,000.00 + )
Ralph Alpert Anonymous
Kristin Ehrgood & Vadim Nikitine
Mary E. Harper & Marigene Arnold
Donald J. Hayden & Brian H.
Thompson
David A. Holmes & Anthony Montoya
Eugene Kapaloski
Daniel Marinberg & Carlos Canasi
Jim G. Pepper
John Peters Sara M. Stone
Jason Tester Roger F. Thomson & Jim Tyrrell
DIRECTOR'S CIRCLE ($5,000.00 + )
John M. Allen & Stephen P. Orlando
Susan E. Anderson & Jo Zeimet
Joseph Arena & Thomas D'Eletto
Alberto A. Arias Jr. & David W. Kinnard
Rachel Beda & Joseph Beda
Scott Bennett
Gregory N. Brown & Linton D. Stables III
Bradley R. Carlson
Suman Chakraborty
Candy S. Cox & Reverend Debra L. Peevey
Colgate W. Darden IV
James M. Foreman & Francisco De Leon
Jeff & Kate Haas
ty to build grassroots LGBTQ political power across the nation. If we have inadvertently omitted or incorrectly listed your name, please contact Dr. Ashawnda Fleming, Chief Development Of ficer, at afleming@thetaskforce.org.
H. S. Huizenga
Mitchell Karp & Barry Katz
David W. Kinnard & Alberto A. Arias Jr.
McCall Langford
James D. Marks & Mark Scott
Kevin D. McCarty & Henri Vezie Rev. Rodney W. McKenzie Jr. Barbara J. Meislin
Raj Mirchandani & Dianne Palermo
Jin Oh & Karl H. Smith
Nancy D. Polikoff
Cindy T. Rizzo
Mark M. Sexton & W. Kirk Wallace
Ronna Stamm & Paul Lehman
Kevin Wang
Gerald Wentland & Jean-Paul Michaud
ADVOCATE'S CIRCLE ($2,500.00 + )
Meg Baesmith & Sarah Baesmith
Glenn Barcheski & Bill Dollaway
C. David Bedford
David S. Berg & Laura Butzel
Robin M. Bergen & Janine Hackett
Benjamin Bowler & Thomas Firpo
Rea Carey & Margaret Conway
Diane Cary & James Parriott
Peter H. Chandler Jr.
Lisa Corrin
Nicole Cypen & Wayne Cypen
Pamela H. David
George J. DeBolt
Dennis Edwards & Mark Steinberg
Jorge L. Garcia
Erwin G. Gonzalez
Janine Hackett & Robin M. Bergen
Benjamin & William Hamilton
Edgar Hernandez & Glenn E. Petersen
Steven C. Hill & Jonathan A. Herz
Robert Holgate Henry Hurd
Lawrence R. Hyer
Harold L. Ivey
Steven Jacobs & John M. LeBedda II
Mark Jones & Andrew Tagliabue
Matt Kaczmarek & Aaron Ordower
Michael J. Kaplan
Jody Laine & Shad Reinstein
Franklin Levine
Jeffrey Mandler
Vincent G. Merceron & Daniel Da Silva
Thank you to our individual donors
Naomi E. Metz & Jennifer Foley Darlene Nipper
Glenn E. Petersen & Edgar Hernandez
David J. Price & Juan C. Rodriguez
Daniel L. Rabinowitz & Ann F. Thomas
Thomas A. Raffin & Martin Tian
Sayre E. Reece & Reverend Kathleen Campisano
Erik Richard Morin
Erick Rivero
Russell D. Roybal
Josue Santiago & Matthew Dzwonkiewicz
Stephanie Sylvestre & Ms. Janice Navatkoski
Brian H. Thompson & Donald J. Hayden
Deric Walters & Jesse Lehrhoff
Beth L. Zemsky & Chris Heeter/ Beth Zemsky Family Foundation
DELEGATE'S CIRCLE ($1,500.00 + )
Alan T. Acosta & Thomas Gratz
Mario A. Acosta Jr & Christopher A. Russell
Gary A, Baier
Juan J. Battle & Michael D. Bennett
Frank Benedetti & Gary Trowbridge
Alan Bernstein Lewis Black
Gay S. Block & Billie Parker Sean Boileau
Leslie & Matt Bosson Dennis Breen
Gina Calvelli & Lorri L. Jean
Arrington Chambliss & Hez G. Norton
Virginia C. Chase
Jerry S. Chasen & Mark Kirby
Darrel Cummings & Tim Dang
Michael L. Curtis & Eric F. Thom
Daniel Da Silva & Vincent G. Merceron
Robert P. Denny
Anne Drennan & Gary Kohler
Robert J. Dutton & Sunil Narayan
Amy S. & James R. Easterling
Ruth Eisenberg & Letitia A. Gomez
Kevin J. Farrelly & Stephen Klein
Klayton F. Fennell & Dr. Valentine Vigil-Fennell
Dwight A. Foley
Annette M. Gardner
Aimee Gelnaw & Emily D. Howe Julie N. Goodridge
J B. Guess & Jim R. Therrien Ebonie M. Hall
Thomas W. Harshman & Stanley D. Gwyn
Jeff Hawkins & Janet Strauss
Ernest C. Hopkins
Kent J. Johnson & Cody Blomberg
Lorraine Jones & Libby Halstead
Paul Kawata
Jeremiah F. Kelly & Paul F. Oostenbrug MD
Paul N. Kelly
Curtis A. Lipscomb
Richard Lynch & Frank Steil Steven Maginnis & Kai Chen
Roberta Mandel & Joan L. Schaeffer
Jan S. Marks
Gary Martin & Patrick J. Owens Alan Mason
Douglas Mateyaschuk II & Evan Wolfe
Veronica McCaffrey & Barbara A. Frank
Robert R. McCrae & William Newhall
Albert R. McMeen III & James Davis
Robert F. Miailovich Bonnie Michaels
Martin Milligan & Jordan A. Ellison
Inca A. Mohamed
Sunil Narayan & Robert J. Dutton
Thank you to our Institutional & Corporate Donors
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE ($100,000.00 + )
American Endowment Foundation
E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Hawthorn PNC Family Wealth
Carlos Noble & Georgia Penn Noble
Tami L. Olson & Monisha R. Harrell
Patrick J. Owens & Gary Martin
Joseph L. Pallant
Shilpen Patel MD & Yuming Chiu
Donna M. Patrick & Michael Patrick
David Perez
Michael J. Piore & Rodney Yoder
Marjorie Press
Samantha Randby & Fruzsina Nyeso
Peter S. Reed & Alden Y. Warner III Alejandro Roark
William Rodgers & Gary Kuchta
Lee Rubin & Jim Walker
Marianne G. Seggerman
Stephen Seo & Nicholas J. Caldarera
Peter J. Shomer
Lawrence J. Simpson
Janice E. Thom
Albert V. Thompson & Kenneth Smith
Richard Wall & William Wilson
William Wilson & Dr. Richard Wall Rene Wolfsenberger
Scott A. Woodfill
Marc H. Wright
Amelie S. Zurn-Galinsky
Horizons Foundation
Marguerite Casey Foundation NoVo Foundation
The Arcus Foundation
The Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr., Fund
The Ford Foundation
The Freeman Foundation The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
VICE PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE ($50,000.00 + )
Actblue Civics, Inc. Amalgamated Charitable Foundation
Fox Rothschild LLP
Leadership Council
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
MAC AIDS Fund
New Venture Fund
The Bauman Family Foundation
The Vertical Bridge
Tides Foundation
EXECUTIVE CIRCLE ($25,000.00 + )
Anonymous
BDO USA, LLP
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Comcast Corporation GlaxoSmithKline
Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Hilton Worldwide Irving Harris Foundation
JP Morgan Chase Foundation
Laughing Gull Foundation
Mark Migdal & Hayden
Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority
Miami-Dade County
Department of Cultural Affairs
MISTR
Morgan Stanley Morton & Barbara Mandel
Family Foundation
Newpol Foundation
Run the Merch LLC c/o Level Group LTD
Ryder Charitable Foundation
The Miami Foundation
Truist
Viiv Healthcare
Wild Geese Foundation
AMBASSADOR’S CIRCLE ($10,000.00 + )
AIDS United Akerman LLP
B.W. Bastian Foundation
Barr Foundation
City of Miami Beach - Miami Beach Convention Center
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
Ernst & Young LLP
Fetzer Institute
Flamboyan Foundation
Florida Blue
MAC AIDS
McCabe Family Foundation
Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Northern Trust at The Chicago Community Foundation
Open Society Foundations
Our Fund Foundation
Paul Anderson Foundation
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
The Johnson Family Foundation
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
The Windhover Foundation
Unity
Viiv Healthcare
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Wells Fargo Foundation Worth Avenue Yachts
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ($5,000.00 + )
American Airlines
Anthem Inc
Bercow Radell & Fernandez, P.A.
Clear Health Alliance / Simply Healthcare
Consumer Reports
Everytown for Gun Safety
Evok Advertising
Fly On the Wall Entertainment Frosene Spirit of Hope Foundation, Inc
Greenspoon Marder
Hilton Capital Management
Impact Assets
K&L Gates LLP
Master Entertainment Inc Miami-Dade County
Commissioners
Morgan Stanley
Parkway Motel & Marina
Rutgers Presbyterian Church
Santander Private Banking
Tiger Baron Foundation
UBS Financial Service
Walgreens
Winston & Strawn
ADVOCATE’S CIRCLE ($2,500.00 + )
Avita Pharmacy
CMGRP, Inc.
Kaufman Rossin + Co
Metro Inclusive Health
Miami Dolphins
RSF Social Finance
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Skillset / CERA
Sulzberger Capital Advisors
TD Bank
DELEGATE’S CIRCLE
($1,500.00 + )
Survata Inc.
The Harrington Agency
Williamson Cadillac Buick GMC
Legacy Circle
The Task Force thanks the following people for naming the Task Force as a beneficiary in their estate planning.
David I. Abramson
Alan Ace* Henry van Ameringen*
Clarence E Anderson Living Trust
Jake Arnell
Barckley Family Trust
Michael Bath
William Bebermeyer*
Bertram H. Behrens*
Em Olivia Bevis*
Jillian K. Bishop
Bisordi-Schofield Revocable Trust
LeClair Bissell* David A. Bjork
Marsha C. Botzer
Thomas Boyd
Shirley Brodigan*
Matthew Brown
Herman J. Brown-Stepan
Jennifer M. Buchwald
Phillip A. Bulliner*
Margaret A. Burd
Susan Burnside
Bradley R. Carlson
John L. Chamness, Jr.*
Julie A. Childs
Stephen D. Clover*
Daniel Cook & Herbert I. Cohen*
Gerald & Veronica Colfer*
Winifred Cottrel*
David E. Dassey
James A. Davidson*
Donald E. Davis
George J. DeBolt
Craig M. Desoer
James N. Devillier*
Sarah A. Douglas
Ross Draegert
Sabrina K. Duckett
Alice Dyer*
Bert Easter
Orton L. Ehrlinger*
Jonathan Elwell*
Luke F. Farrell*
Nina Feirer
John P. Fludas*
Richard Fremont-Smith*
Liebe Gadinsky
Brook Glaefke*
Stephen A. Glassman
Joe Goenaga
John R. Harper*
Mary E. Harper
Daniel A. Harris
Finas Harris*
Sheila Healy*
John R. Hoffman*
Richard Homan*
Earle Raymond Hopkins*
Diane M. Hopsia*
John Hubschmitt
Darrill Hudson*
Rachel Hurst
Kent J. Johnson
Steven D. Kaeser*
Robert L. Kehoe*
Ronald Kendall Kenneth E. Kesselring*
Linda Ketner
Harold D. Kooden
Kayeton J. Kurowski*
Brianna J. Lambert
Marilyn Lamkay
Craig H. Lindhurst*
Dr, Norma Jack Lindsey*
Peggy Lipschultz
David Littell
Lester H. London
Alyxia D. Loney
James W. Lundberg Philanthropic Trust
Wayne McCaughan*
Legacy Circle
Rita A. McGaughey*
Edith MacGuire Charitable Trust
Ed Madden
Joseph J. Maio*
Donna Marburger
Ellen Martin
Sean Melton
Lawrence J. Messenger*
Henry D. Messer*
Naomi E. Metz
Robert F. Miailovich
Erik Richard Morin George Nemeth*
James Nonnemaker
Fleet E. Nuttall*
John O’Leary*
Lee Ormsbee
Austin L. Parrow
Martin C. Patterson
David Lee Peterson*
Julia Lorillard Pell*
John Perez
Neil B.Pomerenke*
Addison T. Pressley
Ken Ranftle*
Sayre E. Reece
Charles W. Robbins
Anthony Rominske
Lee S Ross*
James E. Rolls*
Harry R. Rowe, M.D.* Russell D. Roybal
William A.K. Ryan* Kenneth Sancier*
Jennifer A. Santana Heather C. Sargeant
J Schmidt Harry Seagal*
Marianne G. Seggerman
Karl-Ludwig Selig*
Andrew Sendall
Elliott R. Sernel
Dale Norris Shaw*
Larry Siegel
Andrew W. Solomon
Robert J. Starshak
William J. Stein
James J. Stroumbos*
James L. Tanner*
Marc A. Triebwasser*
John Tynes*
Josef Van Der Kar*
Loet VanDerveen
Donald E. Watson*
Scott J. Weber
Ric Weiland*
Jeffrey E. White*
Officer, at aflemoing@thetaskforce.org
Robert S. White*
Douglas Wingo Harry K. Willwater Walt Witcover*
Jacob Lee Withers, Jr.*
Craig J. Witt*
Benton Wong
Roy Glenn Wood* James B. Wozniak*
Victoria K. Elliott York
Morgan Young* Beth L. Zemsky
William Zilko*
Daniel R. Zillmann
Jaroslav E. Zivney*
Harvey Zuckman
CONGRATULATIONS
Robin Schwartz
On receiving the 2021 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award
All of Me, All the Time, A Campaign on the Path to Liberation
Here at the Task Force, we boldly seek liberation for LGBTQ+ people. We continue to wage an all-out campaign to win es sential and enduring non-discrimination protections for Black and Brown people, women and LGBTQ+ folks. Our campaign plan centers on Executive Director Kierra Johnson meeting with key federal policymakers. Our Field and Faith Work teams recruit persuasive constituents, too: faith leaders and, where possible, Black, Brown and transgender people whose lived experiences are stories that people with power must hear.
In meetings, Kierra teaches federal policymakers about dis crimination and how it’s a real problem that wreaks real harms on real queer people. Faith Leaders share their faith-based commitment to ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ peo ple, countering conservative political leaders’ arguments and pretense that there exists one (negative) monolithic religious
view. Bringing considerable voting booth power to the meet ings are policymakers’ constituents. Policymakers understand that they ignore their states’ voters at their own peril.
Our Communications team pushes out powerful voices on ending the scourge of discrimination as well as reports show ing why these long-sought protections are mission-critical for the queer community. Whether it is Kierra and Deputy Execu tive Director Mayra Hidalgo Salazar speaking out on the dis proportionate levels of discrimination faced by LGBTQ people of color, or our staff providing technical assistance to local ac tivists from Jacksonville and Orlando, our help means they can share their stories of discrimination in their local mainstream media. By amplifying the lived experiences of diverse LGBTQ people to move hearts and minds, we increase support for an enduring federal non-discrimination policy.
Some ask, “Isn’t the Supreme Court’s 2020 Bostock decision that the term “sex” includes sexual orientation and gender identity enough to fully protect LGBTQ+ people? Sadly, the answer is no. We need to win public accommodations pro tections nationwide, which Bostock could not cover because existing federal civil rights law doesn’t protect anyone from discriminate as consumers/visitors to places like health care offices, restaurants, retail establishments and the like.
We must keep fighting hard to win, working harder than our hardworking opponents who seek to block and turn back the clock on our progress. Their latest ugly act is ensuring that 20 states filed a joint lawsuit in Tennessee seeking the right not to comply with the Bostock decision, meaning seeking permis sion to discriminate against transgender and gender non-bi nary people. They want to send this Tennessee case up to the Supreme Court with its unfortunate conservative majority who are making some horrific decisions, like the one in Texas where five justices outrageously (and in an unsigned opinion) let stand a law that empowers anyone – even someone from out of state – to become a lawsuit vigilante to prevent preg
nant women/people from exercising their fundamental right to reproductive choice. Yes, this does sound like something right out of the dystopian book/television series The Hand maid’s Tale. Do we think that the justices who let the Texas woman-hating state law go into effect can be trusted to pro tect LGBTQ+ people’s rights to be free from discrimination?
This is why our All of Me, All the Time Campaign (AMAT) is so critical. AMAT promotes the enactment of federal non-dis crimination policies, emphasizing that LGBTQ people also face discrimination based on a range of factors such as race, class, and ability. This is why we collaborate with LGBTQ, ra cial justice, women’s groups and others to develop effective strategies. The campaign also seeks to equip the LGBTQ community and our allies with knowledge and tools to reach out to their federal policymakers. We see the finish line ahead, a future where LGBTQ+ people can be open, honest and safe – at home, at work, and in the community. With your support through the Task Force Gala, we wage the All of Me, All the Time campaign to end anti-LGBTQ discrimination. For sup porting our campaign to win, we thank you with full hearts.