The San Diego Democratic Club invites all Democrats – plus liberal-friendly Republicans – to its Freedom Awards 2011, Oct. 1 at The LGBT Community Center (3909 Centre St.). This year’s theme is “Coming Out for Equality.”
A reception begins at 6 p.m. and includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, cash beer and wine bar, as well as a silent auction. The awards begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 for SDDC members, $50 for nonmembers and are available online at sddemoclub.org.
Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) is headlining the Freedom Awards. The author of Seth’s Law, which will require all California School Districts to adopt anti-bullying policies, Ammiano is receiving SDDC’s A. Brad Truax Human Rights Award.
SDDC is honoring its own founder, Bob Lynn, with the Herb King Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to founding and serving as SDDC’s first president in 1975, Lynn has served on the board of directors for the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego County, the Greater San Diego Business Association, Gays and Lesbians for Programming Excellence KPBS Affinity Group, The LGBT Community Center, the California Human Rights Advocates, the Ancient Mariner’s Sailing Society and the Whitman-Radcliffe Foundation.
The club is also recognizing the Community in Unity Redistricting Coalition with the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award; Lorena Gonzalez and Evan McLaughlin of the San Diego County Labor Council with the J. Douglas Scott Political Action Award; Judy “The Beauty” Forman, owner and operator of The Big Kitchen, with the Gloria Steinem Communications Award; and, SDDC’s own Director of Volunteers Cindy Green with the Steven Pope Volunteerism Award.
Two groups are receiving Special Recognition Awards for their activities this year. The Active Duty/Veterans Pride Contingent is being recognized for “organizing one of the most exciting and memorable events of the year,” when active duty LGBT military personnel led the San Diego Pride parade. SDUSD’s Safe Schools Taskforce is also being recognized for its work to make schools a safe and productive learning environment for LGBT, questioning and non-LGBT students.
The San Diego Democratic Club, an affiliate of National Stonewall Democrats, was founded in 1975 and is the largest club chartered with the Democratic Party in San Diego County.
