The Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter, based in Western Pennsylvania, will honor Philadelphia’s out Rep. Brian Sims (182nd Dist.) along with openly gay Rep. Mike Fleck (R-81st Dist.) at this year’s Spirit Award Ceremony. The Spirit Awards, from 4-6 p.m. June 13, will be held at the Cambria County Library Community Room, in a ceremony that is free and open to the public. The Keystone Alliance will also present Presidents Awards to local chapter presidents Melinda Ann Bleazer, Spokane Chapter, Wash.; Catherine S. Cox, Altoona Chapter, Pa.; Sue Marie Isbell, Quad Counties chapter, Idaho; Janet Palovich, Johnstown Chapter, Pa.; and Wade Bowers, Cumberland chapter, Md. “We are honoring some of our local chapter presidents, those that have done an outstanding job not only for the organization but for what they are trying to do in their communities,” president John DeBartola said, adding that the recipients “have shown determination to support the issues and the community of the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter. These people have served the organization and their community at no pay with dedication and service to all.” The agency’s membership voted for Sims and Fleck to receive the honors because of their positive representation of and for the LGBT community, DeBartola said. “They have shown courage in the face of hate, in the face of those who probably would have told them that they could not do it, in the face of those that tried to discourage them, in the face of their enemies,” he said. “This award is given to those heroes who are willing to stand up and be themselves and be strong in who they are and say, ‘I can do the job, and it is not relevant what my personal life is like because I am a loving, kind, hard-working individual that represents the community.’” Although Sims will not be present at the ceremony, he said he felt honored to receive the award and regrets not being able to attend. “I am incredibly excited to be joined by Rep. Fleck also, as it means so much to me to share this honor with my colleague across the aisle,” Sims said. Fleck also said he was “honored” by the recognition. State Sen. John Wozniak will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Spirit Awards. DeBartola said Wozniak has been a strong supporter of both the organization and the LGBT community. “Sen. Wozniak was one of the recipients of last year’s Spirit Awards, the other being President Obama,” he explained. “Sen. Woziank has participated in our events in the past, is a strong LGBT supporter and we are thrilled he was able to come and be our keynote speaker this year.” For more information on the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Newsletter or the Spirit Awards, visit www.gaylifenewsletter.com.
