2016 GREATER GAINESVILLE GALA TO BE HELD ON MAY 14TH

State House Representative Clovis Watson, Jr. to be honored
at annual Equality Florida Greater Gainesville Gala

Equality Florida, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights group, will be honoring State House Representative Clovis Watson, Jr. and lifetime community advocate Linda Bassham with the 2016 Voice for Equality Award at the annual Greater Gainesville Gala on May 14th.

The award is Equality Florida’s highest honor, given annually to a person or group who has shown courage, passion, and support for the cause of LGBT equality.

State House Representative Clovis Watson Jr. has been a steadfast voice for equality in Tallahassee. During his tenure in the State Capitol, Rep. Watson has championed a range of issues critical to Florida’s families, including expanding access to health care, protecting women’s reproductive health care, supporting public schools, and advocating for the passage of the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (FCWA), a law which would ban LGBT discrimination in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations statewide.

Linda Bassham’s dedication and achievements around equality-issues has spanned more than forty-five years and continues today. She began her advocacy career in the early 1970s, as part of The National Organization for Women (NOW); since then she has led, founded, and volunteered for countless social justice organizations, and currently serves as Co-President of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida (PCCNCF). Linda’s life-long commitment to women’s rights, worker’s rights, civil rights, minority rights, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to social justice, intersectionality, and equality for all.

In Greater Gainesville and cities around the state, Equality Florida’s galas bring together leaders and activists from politics, business, and the community. The 2016 Greater Gainesville Gala is expected to break its previous fundraising record, and welcome over 250 guests. The Gala’s honorary host committee includes legislators, as well as county and city commissioners including newly elected Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe. Equality Florida co-founder and CEO Nadine Smith will provide a “State of the State” address.

The gala will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6 Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601.

Tickets are $75, available at eqfl.org/gainesvillegala or 813-870-3735.