Press

MEDIA CONTACT:
Roberta Sklar, Communications Director
(Office) 646.358.1465
(Cell) 917.704.6358
rsklar@theTaskForce.org

Recognizing the importance of California in the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality nationwide, allies will gather Sunday, Sept. 21

What:
2008 Los Angeles Leadership Awards Brunch

Who:
The Task Force will honor Sid Sheinberg, partner of The Bubble Factory and former president of MCA, Inc., for his outstanding work throughout his career on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. The Task Force will also honor the creative team of the film Milk, including director Gus Van Sant, writer Dustin Lance Black and producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks, who are all openly gay. The award to the Milk creative team will be presented by actor Josh Brolin. Rea Carey, newly appointed executive director will provide opening remarks.

When:
Sunday, September 21
11AM–2:30PM
Where: Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Calif.
General admission: $250
(Media — press credentials required)

Why:
It is vital to the Task Force to honor and acknowledge those who play leading roles in working for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The Task Force honors those who support efforts to maintain the freedom to marry in California at this award ceremony. The Task Force is currently working with the Equality for All campaign against a proposed state constitutional amendment that would end the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. California is a pivotal state, and what happens there this year will have national implications. This is a critical and crucial moment, one that will determine the course of the struggle for equal rights for years to come.

Awardees and presenters are available for interview.
For more information please call Roberta Sklar at 917.704.6358.

Sid Sheinberg
Download a high-resolution photo

Photo credit: Phil Bray, Focus Features 2008

Creative team of the film Milk:
L to R: Dustin Lance Black, Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen, Gus Van Sant.

Download a high-resolution photo

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, founded in 1974 as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc., works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. We do this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community. The Task Force Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation incorporated in New York. Contributions to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund are not tax deductible.