As Federal politicians continue their wrangling around marriage equality, the cohesive approach of the NSW Parliamentary LGBTI Cross Party Working Group is set to be recognised at the 2016 Honour Awards, NSW’s annual celebration of outstanding achievements within, or contributions to, NSW’s LGBTI community.
Now in their tenth year, the Awards are a gala fundraising event for ACON – NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI health organisation – and for LGBTI charity Aurora.
Established in 2012, and with the original aim of advancing marriage equality within the NSW Parliament, the Cross Party Group involves members from all sides of politics working together to champion issues affecting the LGBTI community. Comprising Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith, Labor MLC Penny Sharpe, Greens MP Jenny Leong, Nationals Legislative Council Deputy President Trevor Khan, independent MP Alex Greenwich and Legislative Council President Don Harwin, the Group will be honoured with the ACON President’s Award for their ongoing commitment to legislative reforms that benefit LGBTI people and their families.
The Group’s members have worked together to successfully advocate for a range of issues including expunging historical homosexual offences, abolishing the ‘gay panic’ legal defence, delivering an parliamentary apology to the brutalised participants of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and generating support for NSW’s strategy for ending HIV.
The President’s Award is in addition to eight other awards being contested by 34 finalists at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney on Thursday 29 September.
ACON President Justin Koonin says the Cross Party Working Group is a worthy recipient of the special award. “The Group’s contribution to our community has been exceptional and it’s particularly timely to acknowledge their collection achievements,” Koonin says.
“The important outcomes they have helped achieve are testament to their capacity to put political partisanship to one side and to work together to secure a better future for LGBTI people and their families. They set the gold standard as to how parliaments across the country should work to support their LGBTI constituents and so ACON is proud to be acknowledging their contributions in this way.”
“We expect the evening will be a truly memorable occasion for our political friends as well as our inspirational finalists who we’ll be honouring with a wonderful celebration of our community.”
Guests will be treated throughout the evening to quality wines and beers, delicious gourmet canapés and great music. Guests will also be able to pick up a bargain at the amazing silent auction which features over $100,000 worth of luxury items.
WHAT: Honour 2016 – Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Party
WHERE: Ivy Ballroom, 330 George St, Sydney
WHEN: Thursday 29 September 2016, 7pm – 11pm
COST: $85 per person (inc. quality wines and beers, delicious canapés)
INFO/TIX: www.honourawards.com.au
Community Partners: ACON | Aurora Group | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras | SX Magazine | Event Partners: Foxtel | Merivale/Ivy | GLYDE Health | CrowdComms | Chase Gallery
