All Eyes on Our Allies

The One Colorado Education Fund wants to recognize our local allies, and they’re enlisting our help.

In the relentless campaign for equality, our community sometimes forgets to stop for a second and thank the non-LGBT folks who are champions of equal rights — allies, as they’re known — for their selfless dedication to LGBT equality. It’s one thing to be an out and proud member of the community who fights the good fight, but to step out into some rough, anti-LGBT territory as an ally … that’s not only courageous and noble — it’s beautiful.

From power-players in D.C to supportive moms and dads right here at home, we’ve got some real backbone propelling us forward, and for that we’re grateful. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

So to honor and celebrate the warriors who suit up alongside us, Denver’s own One Colorado Education Fund will host its signature fundraising event, aptly named the Ally Awards. The evening will culminate with an awards presentation to straight allies who work to advance equality and who make a substantive difference in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Coloradans.

The aim is to celebrate the work of straight allies and their tremendous ability to change the beliefs of fair-minded Coloradans — and because their courage is an incredible asset to their work.

Last year, the Ally Awards was a garden party that honored the University of Denver Hockey, Colorado Medical Society, and Tim Sweeney. This year, the Ally Awards will be a cocktail party with a silent auction, live music, guest speakers and entertainers, a hosted bar, and heavy hors d’oeuvres that will make it an evening to remember.

The money raised from the Ally Awards will help fund the One Colorado Education Fund, which provides educational programming on LGBT issues, conducts research to understand public opinions, mobilizes a community of LGBT people and straight allies, and develops campaigns to build public support for fairness and equality.

This year’s Ally Awards features a People’s Choice category! How are the winners chosen? ​The community will vote! This is your chance to recognize an ally whose bravery has touched an LGBT person or an entire community. Let’s take a look at the nominees:

Blanca O’Leary

Blanca is an attorney, the Chair of the Pitkin County Democrats, and a longtime supporter of LGBT equality. She serves as a DNC member at large and was a member of the 2008 Obama Victory Fund committee. Blanca understands the importance of full and equal protection for all Colorado families, and that’s why she works day in and day out with the Aspen community to help advocate for a fair and just Colorado.

A native of El Paso, TX, Blanca lives in Aspen with her husband and son.

Hillary Hall

Hillary Hall was elected Boulder County Clerk and Recorder in 2006 and began her first term in 2007, and second term in 2011. As Boulder County Clerk and Recorder, Hillary oversees three divisions including elections, motor vehicle, and recording.

Hillary is an active member of the Colorado County Clerks Association. She currently serves as co-chair of their legislative committee. During the 2009 legislative session, she helped champion House Bills 1335, 1336, and 1337, known as the “election triplets.” The bills have improved the election processes across Colorado.

In addition to her legislative duties, Hillary serves on the Statewide Colorado Registration and Election (SCORE) System Advisory Board. SCORE is responsible for the oversight of the statewide voter registration system.

She is being nominated because, following the 10^th Circuit Court decision on Utah’s marriage ban, she began fearlessly issuing marriage licenses to LGBT couples in Boulder. We commend her for standing up for what she thinks is right and interpreting the ruling in favor of Colorado families.

Dr. Anna Wegleitner

Dr. Wegleitner has been nominated for her outstanding trans health care work. She has done so much incredible work, not only creating an LGBTQ-friendly and welcoming practice, but providing competent and high-quality care to transgender and gender nonconforming people in Colorado.

In addition to meeting the needs of her varied family practice patients, she has a special interest in the care of transgender individuals including hormone therapy, disease management, and primary care. Dr. Wegleitner is an active member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). She does not require a letter for
hormone therapy.

Dr. Wegleitner graduated from University of Texas Medical School at Houston and currently practices medicine in Denver.