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411 Hillsborough Street • Raleigh, NC 27603

When presenting the award at First Friday on March 2nd, Executive Director James Miller said: “Matt Mirarchi joined the LGBT Center of Raleigh in January 2011. He started as a front desk volunteer before becoming a part of the First Friday committee. As part of the committee, Matt provided the extraordinary baked goods for all of our First Friday receptions. Recently, Matt assumed the role of First Friday Program Chair and is the featured artist for March 2012.

“A dedicated, passionate advocate for the community, Matt has become an integral part of the Center’s success. He spoke eloquently in front of the Wake County Board of Commissioners against Amendment One and is active in many of the Center’s community initiatives.

“Any organization would be happy to have a volunteer with Matt’s unparalleled commitment and hard work. We are very fortunate that he has made our Center his home.”

Join us for the 17th Annual HRC North Carolina Gala & Silent Auction to be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Charlotte Convention Center. This annual fundraising event brings together the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight ally communities while benefiting the Human Rights Campaign.

Award recipients this year include CNN News Anchor Don Lemon with the HRC Visibility Award and the LGBT Center of Raleigh with the HRC NC Trailblazer Award.

When purchasing your ticket, the system will ask you which table you want. Please be sure to go to the list and click on “LGBT Center of Raleigh.”

Dress: Optional Black Tie/Festive Attire

For more information please visit www.hrccarolina.org.

411 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 832-4484
www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: James Miller, Executive Director
(919) 832-4484

THE LGBT CENTER OF RALEIGH RECEIVES HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN ‘TRAILBLAZER AWARD’

RALEIGH, NC, December 20, 2011 - The LGBT Center of Raleigh is pleased to be the recipient of the Human Rights Campaign ‘Trailblazer Award’ for 2011. The award will be given at the annual North Carolina Gala, held this year in Charlotte.

The LGBT Center, a Community Center that supports the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals within the Triangle and beyond has filmed their informational video to be shown at the Gala, explaining why they think the HRC selected the quickly growing organization for such a prestigious award.

James Miller, the Executive Director of the LGBT Center, expressed excitement as he heard the news of the award. “Being on the ground level every day with programs at the Center, I know exactly why we were selected as a Trailblazer – the things this Center has done in the few years it has been around is incredible. This award stands as a tribute to how dedicated we are to our diverse community.”

The LGBT Center of Raleigh has engaged in groundbreaking programming, such as Gay & Gray, an initiative that works with individuals over the age of fifty to reduce social isolation and increase awareness of culturally and age appropriate services in the Triangle. Furthermore, positive programs such as the Transgender Initiative and N.A.I.L. (No Accidents in Life) target historically unrepresented individuals in our community, making sure everyone has a voice.

“The Board of Trustees at the LGBT Center is also extremely excited to receive this award. Board Chair Glen Medders states, “It is an honor and privilege for the LGBT Center to win the HRC Trailblazer award this year. It is a tribute to the many people who have worked so hard to make the Center the success it is. The community of central North Carolina has truly come together to build a Center they can be proud of.”

In the past two years, The LGBT Center of Raleigh has reached new heights within the community and has gone from a great idea to a fully operational community center offering services for the Triangle and the entire state of North Carolina.

For more information on The LGBT Center of Raleigh, visit www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.

The LGBT Center of Raleigh is a 501(c)3 Community Center that strives to strengthen individual and community development through social and educational activities, facilitate the incubation of supportive services and groups, and identify needs and advocate for resources benefiting the diverse population of lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual people, their friends and supporters within and beyond central North Carolina.

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