Post Release: Lambda Legal's 25th Annual West Coast Liberty Awards

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - June 13, 2017 - PRLog -- Hosted at TAO at the Dream Hotel in Hollywood on June 7^th, 2017, Lambda Legal's 25th annual West Coast Liberty Awards went off without a hitch. The evening was in tribute to those who fight for the rights of the LGBT community and everyone living with HIV. Celebrities were escorted down the red carpet to discuss their involvement in the LGBT community, followed by a robust cocktail and hor d'oeuvres reception, silent-auction and awards presentation. Guests gathered to celebrate two incredible honorees – Toyota Motor North America and Asian Pacific Islander Equality Los Angeles.

Prison Break star and out, gay, Muslim actor and LGBT advocate, Amin El Gamal, hosted the spectacular evening with a truly remarkable performance by America's Got Talent's Brian Justin Crum. Throughout the night, DJ Young 1 brought the party to life.

Lambda Legal CEO Rachel B. Tiven, speaking of the organization's current work for LGBT and HIV impacted communities, opened the evening with a rousing call to arms: "We are stopping what we can stop, slowing down what we can't stop, and publicizing all of it. No one else does what we do on the scale that we do it. We are your lawyers and we are here to defend you."

The Liberty Award is Lambda Legal's highest honor, annually presented to individuals, organizations and leaders whose efforts, advocacy and policies contribute to a world of greater equality for all.

Annually recognized as a "Diversity Leader," and included in DiversityInc.'s Top 50 Companies for Diversity in 10 of the past 11 years, as well as being listed among the Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees, Toyota has led by example. Lambda Legal has long known that justice for LGBT people and everyone living with HIV comes not just through court decisions, but when equality permeates the everyday experiences of LGBT people's families, communities and workplaces, whether they be a customer or an employee – including workplaces like Toyota. While Lambda Legal seeks legal change, we also strive to change public opinion, a cause amplified when companies like Toyota stand up and say no to discrimination.

"Toyota takes seriously its commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and is proud of the recognition we have received because of that commitment," Toyota Assistant General Counsel Ellen Farrell said as she accepted the award. "We are also incredibly proud of the support we have provided Lambda Legal in its fight for equality, and are honored to be recognized here tonight. Thank you very much."

Founded in 2005, API Equality-LA is an LGBTQ rights and racial justice organization that organizes Asian Pacific Islander (API) LGBTQ leaders and builds grassroots community power to create change in the API community. Initially founded to win marriage equality in California, API Equality-LA now leads on API LGBTQ issues ranging from advancing trans justice to winning just and equitable immigration policies and practices. API Equality-LA volunteer leaders have one-on-one conversations with thousands of community members, organize conscious building workshops and trainings, and advocate for social justice through civic engagement, protests, and actions. With an ethnically and linguistically diverse and intergenerational leadership and volunteer base, API Equality-LA has garnered tremendous broad-based support from elected officials, organizations, and the community-at-large. Lambda Legal is proud to highlight the incredible advocacy of this community organization and we celebrate their achievements.

"Thank you for this great honor," API Equality Interim Executive Director Brian Nguyen said. "When we were founded 12 years ago, we were immediately blessed to have the backing from organizations like Lambda Legal, who has mentored, supported, and fought alongside us for equality. As you all know, the path to justice is not without bumps, and as we ride out the current turbulence, we know that with the support from organizations like Lambda Legal, we will prevail. Thank you Lambda Legal for uplifting unheard voices, time after time."

AboutLambdaLegal:

In 1973, Lambda Legal unleashed the first sustained resistance—both in the courts and in the court of public opinion—to fight laws and policies that discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and later, HIV status.

Since then, Lambda Legal's strategic blend of courtroom victories and public policy reforms have transformed America, winning the civil rights and freedoms—as well as the public support—that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community enjoys today.

For more information about Lambda Legal, please visit www.lambdalegal.org