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MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miranda Stevens-Miller Recipient of 2000 Human First Award

Contact:
Miranda Stevens-Miller
It's Time, Illinois!
312-409-5489
ItsTimeIL@aol.com

P.O. Box 3932
Oak Park, IL 60303
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Chicago, IL --- March 18, 2000 ---- Each year Horizons Community Services presents the annual Human First Award to those individuals, groups or organizations who have significantly challenged the dehumanization of members of our community, while helping to restore a place for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people within the human family.

The 2000 Human First Award was presented to Miranda Stevens-Miller at Horizons' 11th Annual Benefit Gala on March 18 at the Grand Ballroom of Navy Pier. In presenting the award, Vernita Grey, representing the Board of Directors of Horizons, said "Miranda Stevens-Miller has been an activist for human rights since 1995. Through advocacy and education, she had worked to unify the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community."

In accepting the award, Miranda challenged the crowd of over 800 at the gala dinner to go beyond the mere addition of the letter T to their organizations mission, and to make the support real. She told the crowd that "Five years ago, there was no T in the BLG sandwich. That has all changed. Now, most organizations, like Horizons, have added the T to their mission, and others are wrestling with what it all means."

"But here's where I would like to challenge every one of you who has added transgender to your organization's mission. Make it real! It's easy to add a letter to your name and walk away feeling good about yourself. It is much more difficult to make it meaningful."

Miranda also challenge Horizons to be the leading voice of anti-violence advocacy in Chicago. She said, "A few years ago, Horizons Anti-Violence Project was the leader in Chicago when it came to building awareness of the violence and hate that ravaged our community. Horizons had the credibility to get our indignation heard, and to get action to help curb this epidemic of violence. I challenge Horizons to regain that leadership. We need your voice in City Hall and at Police Headquarters, and we need your credibility to get action to stop the hatred and stop the violence."

As Miranda stepped down from the podium, Roger Doughty, the new Executive Director of Horizons, told her that he would gladly accept the challenges on behalf of the organization.

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