M E D I A   R E L E A S E For Immediate Release November 4, 2003 AVP Holds Seventh Annual Courage Awards Community, Media and Entertainment Leaders & Allies Honored at Gala New York – Last night, the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) hosted its seventh annual Courage Awards at Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan. This year, as in year's past, the Anti-Violence Project selected an array of outstanding individuals, philanthropies and companies who were recognized 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 last night, the event surpassed projections and raised $230,000. Since its inception, the Courage Awards has brought in over $1.5 million for the agency. Last night's honorees were Broadway and film actor, writer and activist, Harvey Fierstein, Spanish-language talk show host, Cristina Saralegui (who because of a taping conflict was unable to attend, but sent a heart-warming video presentation), NYC Council Member and former AVP Executive Director, the Honorable Christine Quinn, the groundbreaking public television news series, In the Life, and cutting-edge media giant, MTV: Music Television. In addition to the honorees, special guests and presenters included WABC-TV's Sam Champion; Nick Lachey from MTV's Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica; NYPD Blue's Bill Brochtrup; writer and comedian Frank DeCaro; and Ted Allen and Jai Rodriguez from Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. US Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton, unable to present Councilmember Quinn's award in person, sent an endearing letter read by long-time Quinn friend and former AVP Co-Chair, Ken Monteiro. The evening included a cocktail reception, silent auction and gala dinner for 400 attendees, and was hosted by Champion and DeCaro. This year's Courage Awards attracted unprecedented support from a number of corporations, including WABC-TV, Altria Group, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Virology, Deutsche Bank, Gilead, HBO, Orrick Herrington, JPMorgan Chase, MTV: Music Television, Showtime Networks, Skadden Arps, and many more. Funds raised from the Courage Awards will be used to 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 was produced by Patricia Evert Productions (PEP). 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).