Recognizing Local Heroes
Spotlight on Success luncheon, awards celebrate collaboration between LGBT Arizonans and allies
By Liz Massey - Oct. 9, 2014
Along-desired dream of equal collaboration between LGBT Arizonans and their allies has come true for Angela Hughey, cofounder and president of the interactive web and events organization ONE Community.
ONE Community is hosting its fourth annual Spotlight on Success Local Hero Awards ceremony, luncheon and business expo Oct. 17 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.
“We included this event in our original business model,” Hughey said. “Six years ago, we said, ‘someday this room will be half allies,’ and now we are here.”
Honorees are selected based on their pro-LGBT advocacy work in the Valley throughout the year. Hughey added that she was particularly proud that six of the 12 individuals being honored (see sidebar for complete list) were straight allies.
Selections proved particularly challenging this year, she said, as many individuals and organizations rose to challenge the proposed anti-gay “religious freedom” bill, Senate Bill 1062.
“(During SB 1062) everyone of all cultures came out and said ‘this is not the Arizona we want,’” she said. “We still have work to do, but it’s now much easier than it was six, three or even one year ago.”
The luncheon will showcase a video overview of ONE Community’s activities this year and include keynote speakers and a networking break to encourage attendees to get to know each other.
Additionally, the luncheon will be preceded by a business expo and followed by a cocktail reception, both of which are free and open to the public.
With a projected attendance of 600, Hughey called this a “can’t-miss” event, because it offers the opportunity to meet so many of the Valley’s top LGBT and allied leaders in one setting.
While Arizona has not yet reached Hughey’s ultimate vision of success, “a state that respects and protects all its residents,” she said the event is a good place to celebrate the progress made this year.
“We are assimilating into the conversation about what it means to be an Arizonan, and that’s exactly where we deserve to be,” she said. e
VITAL STATISTICS
ONE Community
Spotlight on Success Awards Luncheon
11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 (Business Expo: 9:30-11 a.m.)
Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Hotel
340 N. 3rd St., Phoenix.
Tickets: $100