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Safeguarding American Values for Everyone (SAVE) and the SAVE Foundation have announced their 2021 Champions of Equality Awards Gala to honor community achievers, elected officials, and dedicated foundations who have distinguished themselves in the fight for LGBTQ equality, safeguarding democracy, and providing critical support to South Florida residents in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gala will take place on Sept. 23 at the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center in Miami Beach. The awards presentation will be streamed online for those who are unable to attend in person.
SAVE established the Champions of Equality awards in 2005 to honor people who have significantly advanced the cause of equality for the LGBTQ community in South Florida.
“Although this poignant year has brought a paradigm of shifting events, we continue to advocate for LGBTQ rights at the local, state, and national level and are thrilled to announce our annual gala to acknowledge the individuals and organizations who stand for fairness and equality for our community,” said Orlando Gonzales, SAVE executive director.
“These Champions of Equality have shown great influence and determination in South Florida and beyond.”
The honorees will be recognized in two categories: safeguarding democracy and COVID-19 relief efforts. This year’s honorees include:
Safeguarding Democracy
David Ciciline, United States Congressman of Rhode Island, chair of the Congressional LGBTQ Caucus, and lead sponsor of the Equality Act;
Shevrin “Shev” D. Jones, Florida state senator;
Eileen Higgins, Miami-Dade County commissioner, and
Edel Rodriguez, artist and illustrator.
COVID-19 relief efforts
Kevin Cho Tipton, APRN, South Florida critical care nurse practitioner, and Florida Air National Guard Captain;
The Miami Foundation LGBTQ Community Fund, and
Our Fund Foundation
In addition to the awards ceremony, the evening will include welcome drinks, musical performance by Miami-bred singer and songwriter Robbie Elias, a cocktail-style dinner, and an online silent auction.
Tickets for the event can be purchase at www.save.lgbt/champions. For those who cannot attend the event in person, the online streaming of the event will be at no cost, but donations are kindly encouraged and appreciated. All proceeds from the event will support SAVE’s work to protect people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) against discrimination.
SAVE’s mission is to promote, protect and defend equality for people in Miami-Dade County who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Established in 1993, SAVE Dade accomplishes this mission through education initiatives, outreach, grassroots organizing, and advocacy. SAVE continues to lead the fight for LGBTQ equality through grassroots action focused on civil rights, parental rights, and relationship recognition through political advocacy, community outreach and candidate endorsements. SAVE and its education arm, the SAVE Foundation, help raise awareness about rights and protections for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
