“Alan has become a refreshingly forthright and direct advocate for the LGBT community, urging more visibility and honesty from his colleagues in the entertainment industry, while cleverly and wisely dispelling stereotypes and hatred,” said Judy Shepard, Co-Founder and President of the Board of Directors of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
DENVER – The Matthew Shepard Foundation this October will honor a gifted and tenacious advocate for the equality and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, as actor, novelist and producer Alan Cumming accepts the “Making a Difference” Award in Denver.
Cumming, most prominently known for roles in “X2: X-Men United” and Broadway’s “Cabaret,” a 2002 novel and a 2009 album of his one-man show, will receive the annual award for his longstanding and strongly visible advocacy for LGBT rights. The presentation will occur at the Foundation’s 11th annual “Bear to Make a Difference” Gala.
“I always think about a little gay boy in Wisconsin or a little lesbian in Arkansas seeing someone like me, and if I cannot be open in my life, how on earth can they?” Cumming asked last year during a highly public media debate on whether entertainers should come out as openly gay, as Cumming himself has.
In addition to the award presentation to Cumming, the gala will also honor Corey Smith and Best Buy with the “Essential Piece” Award, which honors volunteers and corporate partners who have proven indispensible to the Foundation’s mission to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance.”
The awards and special remarks by founder Judy Shepard are the centerpieces of the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s annual fundraising gala and celebrity teddy-bear auction. The dinner, now in its 11th year, takes place at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 13, 2012, at the Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Denver, after a silent auction and reception.
Hosted by ABC7News Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, the dinner also features special video presentations and updates on the Foundation’s work on behalf of equal rights.
An after-dinner live auction of personalized and autographed celebrity teddy bears provides a critical fundraising component, which supports the foundation’s pro-diversity educational outreach to schools, colleges and corporations. This year’s offerings were contributed by Lady Gaga, Sharon Osbourne, Josh Groban, Bette Midler, Nicole Kidman, Celine Dion, the cast of ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey,’ Tim Gunn, and many other notable personalities.
The gala event also includes a 5:00 P.M. cocktail reception and a concurrent silent auction, and concludes with an after-dinner party. Tickets and more information are available online at www.MatthewShepard.org or via the foundation office, (303) 830-7400 xt.16
Current sponsors for the event include Love and Pride, MillerCoors, Lightsource Creative Communications, Best Buy, Orbitz, the Human Rights Campaign, HW Home, OutFront Colorado, State Farm Bank, PopChips, Julius & Simpson L.L.P., Attorneys at Law, Barefoot Wine, O’Brien Advertising, TimeWarner Cablevision, and Hamburger Mary’s Denver.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation:
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story. For more information, please go to www.MatthewShepard.org or our youth resource site, www.MatthewsPlace.com.
History of Bear to Make a Difference Gala & Celebrity Teddy Bear Auction:
In February of 2002 a group of motivated volunteers conducted a silent auction of custom-designed and autographed teddy bears to benefit the Foundation’s resource, outreach and advocacy programs. Many
local Denver notables dressed teddy bears in their likenesses for the event, which raised just over $5,000. Now in its 11th anniversary, the gala has become the organization’s largest annual fundraiser and has grown into a national event featuring celebrity teddy bears from all avenues of entertainment and the media.
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