FROM A NEWS RELEASE
HETRICK-MARTIN INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH GALA AND A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO HARVEY MILK
Honoring Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Harvey Milk High School Co-Founder Dr. Joyce Hunter, Evening Hosted by Kimora Lee Simmons with appearances by Cory Booker, Rosie O'Donnell, Dustin Lance Black and Cleve Jones
NEW YORK, NY — OCTOBER 30, 2009 - The Hetrick-Martin Institute celebrates its 30th Anniversary at the 2009 Emery Awards on November 10 with a special tribute to Harvey Milk led by Academy Award winning writer of "Milk" Dustin Lance Black and longtime activist Cleve Jones.
This year, Hetrick-Martin presents Emery Awards to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for his support of the agency during his first two terms and Dr. Joyce Hunter, co-founder of the Harvey Milk High School with the institute's founders, Dr. Emery Hetrick and Damien Martin. These awards, given annually for the past 23 years, honor individuals and corporations that exemplify Hetrick-Martin's mission of providing a safe and supportive environment for all young people — regardless of their sexual orientation or identity — as well as those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within our community. Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Rosie O'Donnell will present the Emery Awards to Mayor Bloomberg and Dr. Hunter, respectively. Life in the Fab Lane'sKimora Lee Simmons hosts this year's gala.
"We are extremely proud to present this year's Emery Awards to Mayor Bloomberg and Dr. Hunter," says Rob Smith, Emery Awards chair and executive vice president at Macy's, Inc. "Dr. Hunter's role in the founding of Harvey Milk High School and Mayor Bloomberg's role in helping make it the success it is today, honors the legacy of Hetrick-Martin's founders and ensures the agency's future achievements, even in difficult economic times."
"This is a momentous occasion as we recognize the nation's oldest and largest LGBTQ youth serving agency," said Hetrick-Martin Institute Executive Director Thomas Krever. "Through the incredible vision of our founders Hetrick and Martin and the courage and conviction of the man that was, and the legacy that remains, Harvey Milk, the lives of youth around the world have been significantly improved and will be for generations to come. Their message of hope for our world is profound."
Also in attendance will be Harvey Milk's nephew, Stuart Milk, and the newest Hetrick-Martin ambassadors Cheyenne Jackson, Heather Matarazzo, and B.D. Wong.
The gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street, begins with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m., and the program and dinner at 7:00 p.m., followed by an after party with DJ Lina spinning music. There will also be a live auction to benefit the Hetrick-Martin Institute and its various initiatives.
Macy's is presenting sponsor for this year's Emery Awards with support from Levi's as Platinum Sponsor and Polo Ralph Lauren as Contributing Sponsor.
For information about purchasing tickets or tables to the Gala benefit, please call Jude Domski at 212-674-2600, ext. 265, or email jdomski@hmi.org . For more information, visit www.hmi.org .
About Hetrick-Martin Institute
The Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School, believes all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. Hetrick-Martin creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth between the ages of 12 and 21 and their families.
Through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth development. Hetrick-Martin's staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services and uses its expertise to create innovative programs that other organizations may use as models.