New York –
On Monday, November 3, 2003, the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) will host its seventh annual Courage Awards at the spectacular Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan. Each year the Anti-Violence Project selects outstanding individuals, philanthropies and companies who deserve special recognition for their leadership, "courage," and service on behalf of the City's lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and HIV-positive affected communities, and particularly on behalf of victims of hate violence and same-sex domestic violence. The Courage Awards event is AVP's largest fundraiser, and to date has raised over $1,250,000 for the agency.
This year's honorees are Broadway and film actor, writer and activist, Harvey Fierstein, Spanish-language talk show host, Cristina Saralegui, NYC Council Member and former AVP Executive Director, Honorable Christine Quinn, groundbreaking public television new series, In the Life, and cutting-edge media giant, MTV: Music Television.
In addition to the honorees, special guests and presenters include WABC-TV's Sam Champion, MTV's The Newlywed's Nick Lachey, NYPD Blue's Bill Brochtrup, and Frank DeCaro from The Daily Show on Comedy Central. The evening will include a cocktail reception, silent auction and gala dinner for 400 attendees. The program will be hosted by Champion and De Caro.
This year's Courage Awards has attracted generous support from a number of prominent corporations, including ABC-TV, Altria Group, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Virology, Deutsche Bank, HBO, Orrick Herrington, JPMorgan Chase, Showtime Networks, Skadden Arps, and many more.
Ticket prices start at $300, with sponsorships beginning at $5,000. Funds raised from the Courage Awards support AVP's crucial programs and services addressing bias-related, domestic and other forms of violence experienced by lesbians, gay men, and transgender and bisexual people in the City.
For the 7th year, the event is being produced by Patricia Evert Productions (PEP). For more information contact PEP at 212-414-2993 or PEvertProd@aol.com or visit AVP's website: www.avp.org.
The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is the nation's largest service agency for victims of bias crimes against the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected communities. For twenty-three years, AVP has provided counseling and advocacy for thousands of victims of bias-motivated violence as well as for survivors of pick-up crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, HIV-related violence, and police misconduct. AVP documents incidents of bias-motivated violence, educates the public about violence against or within our communities, and works to reform public policies impacting all lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected people. AVP provides free and confidential assistance to crime victims through our 24-hour bilingual hotline (212-714-1141).
