Honor 2003 is over. Please join us at this year's Honor!

The Honor Awards

Established in 1988 and first awarded in 1989, the Honor Award recognizes people who have worked for the betterment of the LGBTI community through a single significant effort or a sustained period of transforming work. The D. Bennett Mazur Award, established in 1992 and first awarded at Honor 1993, recognizes those individuals who, at extreme risk to themselves, have nevertheless made sustained and profound contributions to transforming our society. Since it began, with these awards, the Annual Achievement Awards Banquet has acknowledged the extraordinary volunteer work done by more than 125 local activists.

Honor 2003 Award Winners Announced

The New Jersey Lesbian & Gay Coalition and The Personal Liberty Fund will acknowledge six individuals who have distinguished themselves through their efforts to improve the quality of life for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and intersexed community (LGBTI) in New Jersey, at Honor 2003, the groups' 15th annual fundraiser and achievement awards banquet to take place Saturday, October 18, 2003, at the Pines Manor in EDISON, N.J. Honor is a prestigious annual event that recognizes these individuals, who have spent many years working for causes they believe in. These individuals have been activists fighting for social justice to help others in the LGBTI community. The ceremony and banquet takes place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to the honor awards ceremony, the program will include appetizers, dinner, a cash bar, a silent auction, and dancing. More than 200 people are expected to attend, including some politicians.

This year's recipients of the LGBTI Achievement Awards are David D'Amico of TOMS RIVER, Lillian Epstein of PARK RIDGE, Nancy Hillman of TRENTON, Sherri Rase of EDISON, and Robin Renee of ATCO. Donald Proffit of LAWRENCEVILLE will receive the D. Bennett Mazur Award.

Proceeds from this event will benefit The Personal Liberty Fund's educational programs, including reprinting of the well-received Resource Guide for Schools and Youth to help LGBTI or questioning students, and information on domestic partnerships. Last year's fund- raiser helped the Personal Liberty Fund produce and distribute the first edition of the Resource Guide for Schools and will help offset the costs of bringing Judy Shepard to New Jersey to speak, from her very personal vantage, about hate crimes against the LGBTI community.

Sherri Rase (EDISON, NJ) has been active in the gay/lesbian/bi/trans community since arriving in New Jersey in 1994. She not only has volunteered her time, but also takes on active leadership roles. She is currently the Womyn's Net co-chair and recently appointed Activism Chair of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, one of North Jersey's premier organizations; one of the main stage coordinators of Jersey Pride's yearly pride events; part of the editorial staff of the Jersey Pride magazine, The Jersey Gaze; and a board member of Planned Parenthood. She is a tireless worker, providing day-to-day support for organizational activities as well. Sherri constantly works to build community and support among the people she encounters, frequently bringing new volunteers with her to her many activities. Sherri's enthusiasm is contagious in her work to help improve the quality of life for NJ's LGBTI community.

Detective Dave D'Amico (TOMS RIVER, NJ) is a 13-year veteran in law enforcement as an "out" gay officer. He is past president of the NJ Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) and is currently the New Jersey representative to NY GOAL. In his service with the Asbury Park Community Policing Unit, he has been a role model for gay youth and has worked to strike down the prejudices of the "straight" community. As liaison to Jersey Pride during the annual Pride event in Asbury Park, he has provided much needed logistical support. Dave has also conducted Cultural Diversity and Administrative Training to police academies throughout New Jersey. Throughout his career, Dave has been invaluable asset in support of the LGBTI community.

Nancy Hillman (TRENTON, NJ) has been an active member of the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association (TGLCA) since 1997. She has held many leadership positions, as secretary and then president of TGLCA; as coordinator for Gay Night at Trenton's Cafe 2001 and monthly Dinner Night Out; and as committee member for fundraising activities. Nancy has also been involved in the wider LGBTI community, as a member of Gay People Princeton, representative to the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition, member of the Pride Center of New Jersey, volunteer for Jersey Pride and board member of the HIV Consortium. Nancy continues to work for the LGBTI community wherever she finds a need.

Robin Renee (ATCO, NJ) has been active in the GLBTI community for many years, beginning with her activity in the Rutgers GLBT student association. She appeared as the only bisexual in a 1990 video production at Rutgers University, which was shown to college campuses around the country. She was entertainment coordinator for BiNet/USA's regional conferences in 1999; and continues as an active member of BiZone NJ, coordinating events, publications and publicity. Robin is best known as a singer-songwriter, and she doesn't refrain from coming out in her performances. She has performed at many LGBTI music festivals, including her first performance at Jersey Pride's 1992 festival. She is a proud and vocal activist, and a valuable asset to the LGBTI community in New Jersey.

Lillian Epstein (PARK RIDGE, NJ) is the founder of the Bergen County chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P- FLAG). Lillian is a past president and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. She was instrumental in developing a Safe Schools program that has been introduced in numerous school districts around the Bergen County area and which is now helping area schools learn how to comply with the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill adopted in 2002. Lillian has been involved in many aspects of her P-FLAG chapter, including fund-raising, library displays and workshops. As Lillian learned to accept her lesbian daughter, she became determined to reach out to a wide audience to promote acceptance and understanding for all members of the LGBTI community.

This year's honoree receiving the D. Bennett Mazur award is Donald Proffit (LAWRENCEVILLE area, NJ), principal of Lawrence High School. Don is responsible for promoting an atmosphere of acceptance, inclusion and openness among the students, faculty and staff at Lawrence High School. Don showed personal courage in coming out as a gay man to the school community, which helped to empower Lawrence High School students to form a gay-straight alliance to ensure the school remains a safe place for all. Don's message of inclusion goes beyond the gay and lesbian community, however, acknowledging all the diversity of the high school community.

All incoming students participate in "The Freshman Agenda" program, established under Don's leadership. The program encourages the development of community among all the students -- a community that under Don's tutelage practices what has become known as the "Proffit Five" philosophy -- respect, responsibility, fairness, honesty and compassion. Don lives these principles and his dedication to teaching and promoting these values shows each and every day in the spirit of community at Lawrence High School.

The New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition and The Personal Liberty Fund are committed to fighting discrimination based on sexual/affectional orientation or gender identification and to enhancing the quality of lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and interesexed people in the state. The work is accomplished through education, political action, litigation, legal reform and public advocacy. The two groups are based at 1048 Livingston Ave., North Brunswick, N.J. They can be reached at: (732) 828-6772, or via e-mail at mail@njlgc.org.