(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by Michael Lamb – Echelon Magazine

Two extraordinary LGBT individuals honored

As part of its ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and responsible banking, Union Bank, N.A., joined  KCETLink to honor 12 extraordinary individuals at the 16^th Annual Local Heroes Awards.  The honorees included LGBT community leaders Thomas T. Carpenter, Esq. and Kalil Cohen, who both received tributes for their dedication to making a difference and enriching the lives of others by improving their communities and the world.  The 2013 Local Heroes Program, a year-long celebration of diversity, culminated with the awards ceremony held at Club Nokia at L.A. Live on October 22, where recipients were formally recognized. The event will air on KCET November 25 and 28, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Thomas T. Carpenter, Esq. is currently co-chair of the Forum of Military Chaplaincy and former board member of Service members Legal Defense Network (SLDN).  Mr. Carpenter drafted white papers and organized military personnel until “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was repealed.  He organized SLDN’s Military Outreach Committee, and was a member of its Military Advisory Council.  Mr. Carpenter also helped establish and merge OutServe-SLDN, the non-profit organization that defends and empowers LGBT service members, veterans and their families.  He is currently an attorney at LaMontagne and Amador, LLP and Conegy Consulting.  Mr. Carpenter frequently blogs about LGBT issues in outlets such as LGBT POV and the Huffington Post.  He has received numerous awards for his outstanding work.

Kalil Cohen is the founder of the Los Angeles Transgender Film Festival (LATFF), an event that includes international film screenings, an awards ceremony and panel discussions.  Mr. Cohen’s dedication to the LGBT community is featured through his short films, “The Next Gender Nation” (2010) and “Queerer Than Thou” (2008).  He is an assistant programmer of Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, and also serves as director of the Southern California region of The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring (WC/AR). Mr. Cohen is a contributing writer of the blog, “Oy Gay,” and has been featured in outlets such as “The Progressive” and “Democracy Now!”  Mr. Cohen received The Pride Award for Service and Dedication to the Transgender Community from Trans-Unity Pride.

For more information about the Local Heroes program, or to nominate a 2014 local hero, please also visit unionbank.com/heroes.

The post UNION BANK AND KCETLink HOST 16TH ANNUAL LOCAL HEROES AWARDS CELEBRATION appeared first on echelonmagazine.com.

Media Provided by the GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network.
To republish this post please visit UNION BANK AND KCETLink HOST 16TH ANNUAL LOCAL HEROES AWARDS CELEBRATION