Out Brunch 2023 Program

Out Brunch Sponsors

PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION

Table Sponsors

ADP

Alexander | Carrillo Consulting

Andrés for Arizona

Cynthia Garcia

Desert Life Pharmacy

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health

John Jackson

LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund: A Fund of the CFSA

Old Pueblo Community Services

Reveille Men’s Chorus

Southern Arizona Senior Pride

Scott Koenig

Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to Out Brunch

I am so excited to welcome you to the 6th Annual Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation Out Brunch! We are all so thrilled and thankful to be back in person, sharing this space together to celebrate some very special allies and friends in our community, and to celebrate with one another. We are proud and pleased to salute our awardees; Andrés Cano for the Richard Elías Public Servant Award, Tom Litwicki for the Jean Baker Ally Award, the Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce, or the “Gaymber” Board of Directors for the Steven Hall Award, and Natalie Perry for the Godat Award. We also come together today to remember two people who have long been powerful, passionate members of our community, Doug Noffsinger and Pat Merrill. Their passing will be felt for a long time to come.

As we come back to enjoy this day, our mission and the gift of our community supporters, we also want to lift one another up in joy and love, bringing our community close, in the spirit of service and dedication to the LGBTQ+ community and all those we serve each day. Thank you for joining us!

Teresita Flores, JD, SPHR Interim CEO

SAAF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fred Ronstadt Chair

OFFICERS

Julia Wieland President

Lauren Smith

President-Elect

Scott Koenig Treasurer

Melissa Vito Secretary

DIRECTORS

David Elder

Cynthia Garcia

Joel Isais

Beth Myerson

Joe Trejo

Brian Williams

Schedule of Events

WELCOME

DR. JEAN BAKER COMMUNITY ALLY AWARD

Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce, aka The Gaymber

STEVE HALL AWARD

Natalie Perry

GODAT AWARD

Tom Litwicki

RICHARD ELIAS PUBLIC SERVANT AWARD

Andrés Cano

THANK YOU

Out Brunch Award Categories

Steve Hall Award

The Steve Hall Award is given to an individual/organization who makes outstanding volunteer contributions to further the mission of promoting freedom, equality, safety, and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in Southern Arizona. Honoring the dedication and consistent commitment of the volunteer’s life to the LGBTQ+ community, the Steve Hall Award honors the past work and promotes the future volunteer endeavors of the recipient. The award is named after Steve Hall, a pioneering volunteer who served the LGBTQ+ community with tireless dedication.

Godat Award

The Godat Award was inaugurated in 1998 to recognize extraordinary long-term contributions by an individual to Southern Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community. Recipients of this prestigious award have shown keen leadership in the LGBTQ+ community and advocated throughout their careers for the advancement of the whole community. Ken Godat, after whom the award is named, was the first recipient. Since its inception, the Godat Award has celebrated the personal commitment and public advocacy of Southern Arizona’s LGBTQ+ leaders.

Dr. Jean Baker Community Ally Award

In 2001, an award was created to honor a straight ally who has made significant contributions to advance the freedom, equality, safety, and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in Southern Arizona. Knowing that the work of so many in the LGBTQ+ community is aided and furthered by our straight allies. The Dr. Jean Baker Community Ally Award shines a light on the faithful and indefatigable efforts of an ally working with Southern Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community.

Richard Elías Public Servant Award

Inaugurated last year, the Richard Elías Public Servant Award will be presented to public or government servants who have made significant or extraordinary contributions to the equality, equity, health, and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community of Tucson and Arizona. This award is named after Representative Richard Elías for his long time support to both the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS community, and other marginalized groups.

2023 Out Brunch Honorees

Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce Board "The Gaymber" Steve Hall Award Recipient

The LGBT Chamber of Commerce (AKA the Gaymber) approaches advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community through an economic lens. They believe Inclusive Business is Good Business, and because they know the LGBTQIA+ community is a vital part of America as business owners, employers, employees, and consumers, they work tirelessly to support Tucson’s local LGBTQIA+ and allied business community. The Gaymber has provided an inclusive space for Tucson’s queer and TGNC professionals to network and build their businesses while simultaneously educating allies since the mid-90’s, though it’s only in the last few years that they’ve found their stride with a special mix of large and small group networking - with the right amount of structure - to foster the organic and diverse relationships that the Tucson business community is truly based on.

Natalie Perry Godat Award Recipient

Natalie arrived in Tucson in the late 70s and became actively involved in the Tucson gay community, as a member of the Tucson Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee (TLGPC). TLGPC was the force working to obtain the anti-discrimination proclamations from the city and county and providing liaisons with the police departments. The early 80's saw the beginning of the AIDS crisis. Natalie sat on the Health sub-committee of TLGPC from which Tucson AIDS Project (TAP), the 1st AIDS service organization in Tucson, evolved. In 1986, Natalie and Michael Griffin founded The Shanti Foundation of Tucson, and facilitated training for over 1,000 peer counselors to advocate for and emotionally support, people living with and dying from AIDS. Natalie personally knew and attended to many of the first 300 people who died of AIDS in Tucson and fought for anonymous HIV testing at PCHD and the State and fought for funding for prevention and education, marching on Washtington in the late 80s. Natalie continues to serve the LGBTQ+ community today, as a founding member of Tucson Queerstory. The mission of TQS is to collect, archive, preserve, exhibit and celebrate the diverse queer history of Tucson.

2023 Out Brunch Honorees

TOM LITWICKI

Dr. Jean Baker Community Ally Award Recipient

Tom has served in the human services field since 1990, with the last fifteen years of service to persons experiencing homelessness in Tucson. Tom has a master’s degree in Counseling and Human Relations from Northern Arizona University and is a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor. He currently serves as CEO for Old Pueblo Community Services, a not-for-profit community agency that provides evidence-based housing and support services to persons experiencing homelessness. Tom resides in Vail Arizona with his partner, Darcie, and is father to two wonderful adult children.

ANDRÉS CANO

Richard Elías Public Servant Award Recipient

Andrés Cano is the Democratic Leader in the Arizona House of Representatives. He is a consensusbuilder, a pragmatist, and a lifelong public servant. Raised by a single mom, Andrés, 30, saw a path for advancement in Arizona’s public schools. He is a first-generation college graduate and a native Tucsonan. Prior to elected office, Andrés served as a senior aide to Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías from 2012 to 2018. In this role, Andrés prioritized juvenile justice reform, public health, and neighborhood relations. His extensive community engagement has been recognized by the Center for the Future of Arizona (2016, Emerging Leader,) the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2017, 40 Under 40,) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (2020, Young Alumnus Award.) Andrés is a Gates Millennium Scholar, an inaugural member of the Human Rights Campaign’s HIV360 Fellowship, and a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State & Local Government program. In his non-legislative role, Andrés is the Director of the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund, a philanthropic initiative of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.

Steve Hall Award

2001 Steve Hall

2002 Jim Sincox, PsyD

2003 Lavina Tomer

2004 David Eyde

2005 Kathy Altman, PA-C, MPH

Godat Award

1998 Ken Godat

1999 Jean M. Baker, PhD

2000 Colette Barajas

2001 Ana “Bertie” Lozano

2002 Bob Ellis

Past Out Brunch Honorees

2006 Kevin Maxey

2007 Reflection on 10 Years of Wingspan Awards

2008 Shirley Snow & AngieRose Tilghman

2009 Elliott

2010 Helen H. Anderson, PhD

2011 Ana Jimenez & Alex Lopez

2012 Noel de la Tierra

2013 Randy Spaulding

2015 Rick Jorgenson

2017 Dea Brasgalla

2019 Robert Bell

2020 Curt Beall

2021 Mike Steinberg & Alan Taylor

2022 Southern Arizona Senior Pride

2003 Alexander John Goodrum

2004 Alan Storm

2005 Mae Krueger

2006 Craig Snow

2007 Reflection on 10 Years of Wingspan Awards

Dr. Jean Baker Community Ally Award

2001 Ernesto Portillo Jr.

2002 George Miller

2003 Rev. David Wilkinson

2004 Dr. Kevin J. Carmichael

2005 Tim Rupel

2006 Donna Rochester

2007 Reflection on 10 Years of Wingspan Awards

2008 Mary Ellen Beaurain

2009 Raúl Grijalva

2010 David “Fitz” Fitzsimmons

Richard Elías Public Servant Award

2021 Richard Elías

2022 Karin Uhlich

2008 Noel Matkin, PhD

2009 Maurice Grossman

2010 Kayla Boyer, DVM

2011 Jennifer Hoefle

2012 Joyce Bolinger

2013 Beverly Seckinger

2015 Rick Jorgenson

2017 Kent Burbank

2019 Dr. Ravi Shah

2020 Erin Russ

2021 Liane Wong

2022 Scott Blades

2011 Mari Herreras

2012 Sharon Schubitzke

2013 Jonathan Rothschild

2015 Richard Elías

2017 Laura Alexander

2019 Naomi Cramer

2020 Dr. Tracey Kurtzman

2021 Lizette Trujillo

2022 Dr. Kay Bauman

For us, equality is more than just a cause.

Northern Trust is proud to support the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation. For more than 130 years, we’ve been meeting our clients’ financial needs while nurturing a culture of caring and a commitment to invest in the communities we serve. Regardless of which community you call home.

A Special Thanks to all of our community partners that helped make Out Brunch possible: Creatista Studio

Commotion Studios

HighWire Premier Bar & Restaurant

FlowerBee

TO LEARN MORE VISIT

Clint Mabie Senior Relationship Manager 3450 E Sunrise Drive, Suite 100 Tucson, AZ 85718

CM453@ntrs.com; 520-615-2351 northerntrust.com

LGBTQ+ PROGRAMS

Arizona's Life Links for Youth (ALLY)

Arizona's Life Links for Youth focuses on reducing the rate of attempted and completed suicides among Arizona's LGBTQ+ youth. This program utilizes both Sources of Strength curriculum for youth and Question, Persuade, & Refer training for the community.

Anti-Violence Project (AVP)

AVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within the LGBTQ+ communities of Southern Arizona. Through crisis intervention, AVP case maagers provide emergency housing, support, and empowerment to victims of violence.

Bread & Roses

SAAF and Old Pueblo Community Services have partnered to bring the first transitional housing facility in the county for LGBTQ+ youth. The objective is to provide youth the support needed at every step, so that they can permanently leave the streets, secure stable housing, and build a self-sufficient, and fulfilling life. Bread & Roses is part of Coordinated Entry.

Eon Youth Lounge

Eon, housed in the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th, is a program that is held every Thursday. Eon also supports local high school Gender and Sexuality Alliance clubs and is building satellite sites for more nights of programming coming soon.

SAAF is proud to act as a fiscal sponsor for the following LGBTQ+ focused community groups:

World AIDS Day, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day

Lighthouse

Lighthouse is a safe space where folx 18+ can access linkages to housing services, mental health and substance use treatment, as well as recovery support groups, referrals and community events for LGBTQ+ young adults and their straight allies. Lighthouse offers LGBTQ+ 101 trainings.

Link

Link, is a sexual violence prevention program for middle and high school students. Using the evidence-based Safe Dates curriculum, youth dissect what constitutes healthy and abusive relationships, the causes and consequences of dating abuse, and develop the skills necessary to advocate for themselves, their partners, and their peers.

Spectrum

SPECTRUM is a health and wellness program empowering youth with sexual and relationship health knowledge so they can make informed decisions to protect themselves, their partners, and be a resource to their peers. Wellness is more than education, so Spectrum includes the option for youth to enroll in a UArizona research component, connecting them to free HIV testing, mental & behavioral health counseling, and individualized resource navigation.

Youth Empowerment Leadership and Lifeskills (YELL)

SAAF runs a Youth Empowerment and LGBTQ+ Leadership coalition that focuses on substance-abuse prevention by delivering informative presentations about risk-taking directly to youth. LGBTQ+ youth also get the opportunity to lead the discussion and implement solutions through YELL.

INVESTING OUR TIME TODAY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

At GEICO we strive to give back by building strong communities, investing in education and promoting equity and inclusion. We call it our insurance plan for the future and it’s a policy we’re proud of.

SAAF’s Monthly Giving Club is an exclusive membership of people who care the most about promoting health, well-being, and social justice for those living with HIV, LGBTQ+ individuals, and communities marginalized by society.

Members of this special group make a monthly gift to SAAF through an automatic charge on their credit card. For most of us, this is an easy and convenient way to make a significant gift.

If you want to join, you can set up a monthly gift online at www.saaf.org/ways-to-support/monthly-giving-club. You can also contact Fred Rodriguez, Associate Director of Development, at frodriguez@saaf.org or by calling 520-547-6107.

This June, in conjunction with Pride Month, SAAF wishes to invite the Tucson community to celebrate together. Ways you can do this are:

Hold a fundraiser for SAAF during June

Attend one of our events

Ask friends and family to donate to SAAF

Reach out to businesses you know and ask them to hold a fundraiser for SAAF

Share our content on social media

If you're interested in partnering with SAAF during Pride month or any other time of the year, please contact Fred Rodriguez, SAAF's Associate Director of Development at 520-547-6107

A irming care for LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities at no cost.

HEALTH

SAAF Health offers clinical services at no cost to those who are not currently engaged with our health care system, reducing barriers, improving access, and improving health for some of our community’s most vulnerable. Some of the full spectrum primary care services include, but are not limited to:

• Acute Care Visits

• Basic Wound Care

• Chronic Care Management

• Prevention Care

• Sexual Health

• Gender Affirming Care

For more information, email SAAFHealth@saaf.org

We'll see you at next year's Out Brunch! Your love and support empowers our community’s LGBTQ+ and allied youth.

Thank You for Joining Us

To make a donation to SAAF, click on this page.

...and don't forget to join us for

...happening Saturday, May 6th