The Boston-based GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) will present their 2022 Spirit of Justice Award to Nadine Smith, cofounder and executive director of Equality Florida, at the 23rd annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner.
The Dinner will be held on Thursday, October 27 at the Boston Park Plaza.
“For over three decades Nadine Smith has provided passionate advocacy and strategic leadership in the LGBTQ movement both in her home state and nationally,” said GLAD Executive Director Janson Wu in a press release.
“Florida has frequently been at the center of the struggle for LGBTQ equality, from fights over anti-discrimination laws and adoption bans, to the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ law enacted this year. Nadine and Equality Florida are leading the fight against dangerous state laws aimed at erasing LGBTQ people and families in public schools. As we confront escalating anti-LGBTQ legislation and rhetoric and see our community increasingly targeted by those who want to restrict our freedoms, Nadine’s leadership at the eye of that storm in Florida truly epitomizes the Spirit of Justice. It’s an honor for GLAD to celebrate her inspirational life-long advocacy for human rights and LGBTQ equality with the 23rd annual Spirit of Justice Award.”
“At the most perilous times in history, our fight for full equality has always been buoyed by our commitment to locking arms and doing the work together,” said Nadine Smith.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by GLAD this year and is a testament to the dedicated team of volunteers, colleagues, and supporters I have the privilege of working with at Equality Florida,” Smith said. “Our state is again standing at the epicenter of a bigoted and extremist assault on LGBTQ people, fueled by a governor intent on building his political career on the backs of our community. But this fight is not simply Florida’s fight — it is a struggle to secure true equity, safeguard the progress we have made and protect our democracy from the onslaught. Our fight continues in earnest and it is a fight that needs all of us.”
GLAD’s 23rd Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner is co-chaired by Ray Cheng and Jamie Bergeron and will take place Thursday, October 27 at the Boston Park Plaza. The evening’s program will also be streamed from the venue for those who are unable to attend in person. The venue is mobility accessible and CART interpretation services are provided. GLAD is committed to celebrating safely and proof of COVID vaccination is required to attend in person.
For more details, go to the event webpage.
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