MIAMI, Fla. — The National LGBTQ Task Force has announced that Steve Rothaus will receive the 2016 Eddy Mclntyre Community Service Award at the 20th National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami. The annual fundraising event honors leaders for their outstanding contributions to securing basic rights and protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. This year’s gala will take place Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida, 33140.
“For over 30 years, Steve has dedicated his work to elevating the voices of LGBTQ people in South Florida and beyond,” said Russell Roybal, National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director. “As one of the very few journalists covering LGBTQ news at a major newspaper, his leadership has been instrumental in increasing public awareness and support for issues affecting LGBTQ people.”
In 1985, Rothaus joined the Miami Herald staff and took the bold move of coming out at work two years later. While serving as a board member of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA), he founded the association’s Newsroom Outreach Project. Throughout his career, Rothaus has conducted trainings and led discussions at newspapers, television stations, and college campuses on LGBTQ news coverage and workplace issues. In 1998, he received the GLAAD Media Award for outstanding newspaper columnist for his coverage of LGBTQ issues. Rothaus has also shared two Miami Herald Pulitzer Prizes and been awarded the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year Award and Equality Florida’s Voice for Equality Award. This year, Miami-Dade College inducted him into its 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2014, Rothaus legally married his partner, public affairs consultant Ric Katz, in New York City on their 29th anniversary.
“Steve is an indispensable advocate and South Florida hero, and we’re excited to honor him at this year’s National LGBTQ Task Force Gala—Miami,” said Charles Million, who is serving as a co-chair of this year’s gala along with Bill Hahne. “The Task Force gala is South Florida’s most anticipated LGBTQ event — and you certainly won’t want to miss out on it this year.”
Tickets to the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami include an intimate cocktail reception, silent auction, sit-down dinner, awards ceremony, live entertainment and dancing. Proceeds from the Miami Gala and Winter Party Festival support the National LGBTQ Task Force’s work to advance full freedom, justice, and equality for LGBTQ people and their families. A significant portion of the proceeds also funds organizations serving the LGBTQ community in South Florida.
For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Donnie Luehring at dluehring@thetaskforce.org or 305-576-7300.
