ASTRAEA LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF ACTIVISM & PHILANTHROPY AT MAY 17 NYC AWARDS DINNER
Honoring activists from Johannesburg, New York and Bay Area;
with emcee Kate Clinton and special performances by Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely
NEW YORK, NY, Tuesday, April 8, 2008—The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice will celebrate its 30th Anniversary Year with a Gala Awards Dinner on May 17, 2008 at the Prince George Hotel in New York City.
Astraea is the world's only foundation solely dedicated to supporting LGBTI organizations the U.S. and internationally. Last year Astraea issued more than $1.9 million in grants to LGBTI organizations around the world working for the empowerment and human rights of all sexual minorities. This coming year, we plan to issue more than $2.4 million in grants.
Honored at the event will be Astraea grantee partners: the Coalition of African Lesbians, working to secure human rights for lesbians throughout Africa; and FIERCE!, fighting for the dignity and safety of young queer and trans people of color in New York City. Also honored will be Marta Drury, a longtime Astraea supporter who has funded an array of groundbreaking women’s and LBGTI projects in the Balkans.
Katherine Acey, Astraea’s Executive Director said, “FIERCE!, CAL and Marta embody the Astraea family— grantees and donors alike. They mirror Astraea’s commitment to racial, economic and gender justice; and they exemplify what it means to give those who are marginalized a voice and a place at the table. Like so many of the thousands of organizations and individuals Astraea has funded over the years, they inspire us. They truly embody Justice In The Making.”
ABOUT THE HONOREES
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Coalition of African Lesbians, Johannesburg, South Africa: The Human Rights and Feminism Award. Comprised of organizations from eleven African countries, the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) is the first non-governmental organization in Africa to work for the equality of lesbians at a continental level. In response to a climate of staggering violence targeting out lesbians and gay men throughout the continent, CAL has worked with the African Commission on Human and People's Rights to challenge homophobic rhetoric and policy, and to incorporate LGBT rights into the African human rights platform. CAL's acclaimed annual Leadership Institutes hone the ideas and skills of lesbians, feminists, gender activists and academics across the continent. www.cal.org.za |
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Marta Drury: The Philanthropic Activism Award. Marta is a socially responsible philanthropist and investor. She is the founder and director of the Heart and Hand Fund, which funds women’s groups working for peace and equity in the Balkans. Marta has served on Astraea’s International Funding Panel for the past seven years and has been an advisor to the Global Fund for Women and to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. In 2005, Marta—as one of the 1000 Women for Peace—was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. |
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FIERCE! New York, New York: The Lynn Campbell Award for Outstanding Leadership; FIERCE! is a community organizing project for transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, queer and questioning youth of color in New York City. FIERCE! uses a mix of leadership development, artistic and cultural activism, political education, and campaign development to organize around critical issues including employment, education, violence, and access to public space. www.fiercenyc.org |
ABOUT ASTREA
Astraea is changing the landscape for lesbians and LGBTI communities around the globe. From the isolated townships of Namibia to the rural mountains of Appalachia; from Bangkok to Boston, Astraea grantee partners are fueling the movement for social change in villages, cities and towns everywhere.
Astraea provides critically needed financial support to lesbian and trans-led, LGBTI and progressive organizations working on behalf of human rights, feminism, anti-racism, and economic justice. Astraea grantees are making enormous strides—often, in the face of hostility and scant resources.
Astraea has supported the first lesbian advocacy organization in Serbia; a San Francisco-based group supporting emerging queer women of color film and video artists; a legal advocacy group fighting for freedom of gender identity in New York; and the first lesbian Palestinian organization in the Middle East. While separated by continents, language, and culture, Astraea grantee partners are collectively transforming our world, seizing opportunities and laying the groundwork necessary for LGBTI people to claim their human rights.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Saturday, May 17, 2008 | 6 PM
Emcee and special performance by Kate Clinton Special performance by Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely
Prince George Ballroom - 15 East 27th Street (Between 5th & Madison Avenues) New York City
6:00 PM Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
7:00 PM Dinner, Award Presentations & Live Auction
8:30 PM Performances
Sign Interpretation available by request in RSVP by April 23rd RSVP by May 1, 2008
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The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for social, racial, and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally. Our grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy programs help lesbians and allied communities challenge oppression and claim their human rights. www.astraeafoundation.org
Contact: Ticket and event info: Jennifer Beaks, 212.529.8021 x17 devoasst@astraeafoundation.orgTo learn more about Astraea: Melissa Hoskins: 212.529.8021 x26 mhoskins@astraeafoundation.org | 
