FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2014
Contact: Liz Owen, Director of Communications
[email protected] | (202) 467-8180 ext. 214
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PFLAG National To Honor Ally Sheedy with 2014 Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award
“Ally has been a tireless advocate for our most vulnerable population, homeless LGBTQ youth…”
Washington, DC—PFLAG National—the nation's largest organization for families, friends, and allies of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)—will honor Ally Sheedy with the Straight for Equality in Entertainment award at the sixth annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala. At the event, which will be hosted by comedian/writer/producer Lizz Winstead, PFLAG National will also honor AJWS president Ruth Messinger and Johnson & Johnson.
“Ally Sheedy walks her talk,” said PFLAG National Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby. “She has been a tireless and devoted advocate for our most vulnerable population: LGBTQ youth whose families have not only been unsupportive, but have even thrown these kids out on the streets. Ally is on the front lines of this work through the Ali Forney Center, and her passion has been colored by her love for her own child, who identifies as genderqueer/non binary. And of course, we can’t overlook her fearless, award-winning portrayal of Lucy Berliner in the riveting film, HIGH ART. Ally is an inspiration.”
Straight for Equality—a national outreach and education project created by PFLAG National— focuses on the next generation of straight allies joining together with LGBT people in the effort to achieve equality for all. Straight for Equality Awards are presented to individuals who are transforming the way that LGBT people are understood and treated, using their talents and platforms in their respective fields to empower others to become engaged and outspoken allies for acceptance equality.
Of accepting the award, Sheedy said, “I am honored and grateful. Our community is dedicated to creating a safe world for our LGBTQ kids. Thank you for creating opportunities for our voices to be recognized.”
The Sixth Annual Straight for Equality Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, April 10th in New York City at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Hotel. For more information visit straightforequality.org/2014gala.
Ms. Sheedy is available for interviews. Please contact PFLAG National Communications Director Liz Owen for scheduling.
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Founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG National is the original family and ally organization. Made up of parents, families, friends, and allies uniting with people who are LGBT, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy. PFLAG has more than 350 chapters and 200,000 supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities and rural areas in all 50 states. To learn more, please visit pflag.org.
Straight for Equality is a project of PFLAG National. It was launched in 2007 to invite, educate, and engage straight individuals to have the discussions necessary to move equality forward for their lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender friends in simple, nonpolitical ways. Learn more at straightforequality.org.