One Colorado honors allies

Everyone deserves a little recognition when they do community work, which is why One Colorado is honoring allies in a big way at the second annual Ally Awards.

Out of the hundreds of nominations received, One Colorado honors four organizations for their work and support of the LGBT community. One Colorado received hundreds of nominations for individuals and organizations that have been powerful allies for the community and four were chosen for their powerful and undeniable work for the LGBT community.

The four winners this year are The Girl Scouts of Colorado, Companeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center, CH2M Hill’s Vice President and Director of Inclusion Faye W. Tate and Director of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Dr. Christopher Urbina. These winners have each made pushes towards equality whether it is the advocacy of LGBT health or becoming a voice for equality for a company. From the Girl Scouts’ inclusion of transgender youth to Companeros’ loss of funding for supporting LGBT immigrants, each group deserves recognition for the stand they have made for the community.

The Ally Awards will be held at The Cable Center at the University of Denver and will start with an outdoor cocktail party complete with appetizers, a buffet and a bar with Colorado’s finest spirits, wine and beer. There will also be a silent auction and live, local music. The award ceremony will take place inside The Cable Center with dessert and guest speakers, including Rep. B.J. Nikkel.

All of the ticket sales go to the One Colorado Education Fund, which helps to secure and protect LGBT rights and equality in Colorado. The group provides programs that educate the community on LGBT issues, as well as conducting research on these issues. They also build campaigns that develop support towards equality while mobilizing the LGBT community and their allies to act.

Although One Colorado has put a lot of work into this event, they are also putting energy into other projects, including the LGBT People’s Caucus. The LGBT People’s Caucus is a two-day caucus in Colorado Springs that will help LGBT people and their allies to realize the power they have through discussion on issues of immigration, trans inclusion and racial and economic justice. The caucus will also teach attendees how to impact their community and the coming election for a pro-equality legislature.

One Colorado’s work does not stop there. The organization is actively involved in the coming November election. By making phone calls and knocking on doors, the LGBT advocacy organization is pushing for a pro-equality majority in the Colorado legislature.

On top of all that, One Colorado is continuing its work towards equality. Through community involvement, they are changing minds. As LGBT people continue to be open and honest with the community, more and more people are realizing that there are shared values between straight and LGBT people.