FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The National Center of Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced that they will be honoring San Francisco 49ers Offensive Assistant Coach Katie Sowers with their Trailblazer Award, presented by pro-athlete and transgender activist Chris Mosier, at the NCLR 2020 Anniversary Virtual Celebration on Saturday, May 30 at 6 pm (PST). Also being recognized during the annual celebration livestream event will be actress and comedian Gina Yashere, who will be receiving the LGBTQ legal nonprofit’s Voice and Visibility Award, presented by comedian Dana Goldberg.

The all-virtual event, the first in the organization’s 43-year history, will welcome NCLR’s new Executive Director, Imani Rupert-Gordon, at her first Anniversary Celebration since joining the NCLR staff in March 2020, along with special guest video appearances, musical performances, signature cocktails, and a raffle. Special Guests that have been announced for the Virtual Celebration include celebrity emcee and comedian Dana Goldberg, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), sports icon and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King, comedian, writer, actor, and podcasterCameron Esposito, performer Sandra Bernhard, stand-up comic Rhea Butcher, musician Be Steadwell, and actor Theo Germaine.

In addition, the Anniversary Virtual Celebration will include inspiration and entertainment from U.S. Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, Josh Klipp & the Kliptones, Silvi Alcivar & the Poetry Store, and a special dance party to follow with DJ Lamont Young.

NCLR’s Trailblazer Award is awarded yearly to an individual who has paved the way for LGBTQ people and who has stepped out to be visible and set a tone in their respective field, while the Voice & Visibility Award honors an individual who has used their talents, stardom, and platform to stand up for and with LGBTQ people, making the world more compassionate and equitable for us all.

The NCLR 2020 Anniversary Virtual Celebration will stream on via private link on Saturday, May 30 at 6 pm (PST). Any individual who makes a donation of any size to the organization by the time of the event will receive a link to view the livestream.

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The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. https://www.nclrights.org