Kristina Lapinski and Melanie Nathan of GAY U.S.A. the Movie will be at the NCLR Annual party to film the young awardees from the Anoka-Hennepin School District.  Kristina has just returned from a visit to Minnesota where she met and filmed events, activists, representatives, parents and students from the district.

The NCLR annual bash is the lesbian party of the year and should not be missed.  This is NCLR’s 35th Anniversary Celebration—and will be held on May 5, 2012 at the City View at Metreon in San Francisco—where  they will honor seven heroic individuals.

The Anniversary Celebration—often called “the party of the year”—attracts 1,500 people from across the country who gather celebrate victories in the movement for LGBT equality and to honor those who have become role models for thousands of people through their unfailing commitment to justice.

Kate Kendell, Executive Director notes:- “The Anniversary Celebration is a time for us to reflect on how far we’ve come and to celebrate individuals who had the courage to stand up and speak out for justice, becoming role models and examples of true leadership and strength.

We’re pleased to honor six amazing young students who were our clients in a lawsuit challenging a Minnesota school district policy that stigmatized LGBT students and made it hard for teachers to protect them. Just last month, the district agreed to sweeping changes that will make schools safer and prevent the kind of bullying and harassment that Brittany, Damian, Dylon, Ebonie, Kyle, and Kyrstin endured for far too long. You can read more about the victory below.

We will also be honoring the one and only Jane Lynch, who has used her fame as a platform to speak out for LGBT equality, and has blazed a path not only for artists who follow in her footsteps, but for young people everywhere who look up to her.

I especially want to thank you—our champions, the women and men who stand up for equality each day by living your lives authentically and by walking with us in the march toward full justice.”

The honored award recipients and presenters include:

• Jane Lynch, of “Glee” and “Julie & Julia,” will receive the Vanguard Award.
• Six student plaintiffs—Brittany, Damian, Dylon, Ebonie, Kyle, and Kyrstin—from NCLR’s case against Minnesota’s Anoka-Hennepin School District, will receive the Courage Award (Read more about their victory below).
• Wilson Cruz, of “My So-Called Life” and Broadway production of RENT, who will present the Courage Award

And of course the one and only Kate Clinton will return for a command performance as emcee.

The Anniversary Celebration is NCLR’s signature event. This year’s Premiere Sponsor is Wells Fargo. The Gold Sponsor is American Airlines.

Buy your tickets now for the event, which begins at 8 p.m. on May 5, 2012.

Learn more about the 2012 Anniversary Celebration.

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

Other articles about the Anoka-hennepin School District and Minnesota on GAY U.S.A. the Movie.

and gayusathemovie.com/?s=bachmann

gayusathemovie.com/2012/04/minnesota-sen-dibble-amendment-no-funding-for-reparative-therapy-defeated/

and gayusathemovie.com/2012/04/lesbian-filmmaker-prays-the-gay-away-at-bachmann-associates/