Youth First TX to honor LGBT heroes during 13th anniversary celebration
To mark Youth First Texas’ 13th birthday, the youth and the board are celebrating the heroes of the community, people who make the difference directly and indirectly for acceptance, justice and human rights for all people, especially young people.
“We often forget to say ‘thank you’ to those who pave the way for all of us to have a better life. We forget that our lives are enriched because of the work of others,” said Board Chair Chris-James Cognetta.
The celebration is on Thursday, Dec. 6, and is open to the public.
Guests may arrive at 6:30 p.m., and the program and recognition ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. Beer, wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. Youth First Texas appreciates a suggested donation of $40 for adults and $5 for youth.
The honorees chosen by the youth and board of directors are: Michael Doughman, Dallas Tavern Guild; David Fisher, Turtle Creek Chorale; Richard Gordon, Matt Hein, Christopher Hendrix and Robert Ivancic, Youth First Texas; Craig Lynch and Jeff Rayne, Uptown Players; Roger Poindexter, Lambda Legal; Jeffrey Paine, The Sharon St. Cyr Fund; Max Rippetoe, J.C. Penney LGBTQA Business Resource Team; Rosie Roetto, Adam Lambert Fan and Ally; David Taffet, Dallas Voice; James W. Tate, GLSEN; Cece Cox, Resource Center Dallas; Paul Jentz, Baylor Medical Center; Tonya Parker, 116th District Court Judge; Alex Ortega and Lisa Waitemon-Moses, AIDS Arms; Gary Allinger, Lipps Larue and Marshall Styers, United Court of the Lone Star Empire; Wayne Davis, The Dallas Bears; Christopher Weinfurter, Dallas Woody’s; and Oliver Blumer, TENT.
Out & Equal elects officers; Jeffrey Gorczynski re-elected affiliate chair
The DFW Regional affiliate of Out & Equal elected officers for the new year. Jeffrey Gorczynski, a vice president at Citi, was re-elected affiliate chair.
“I’m excited by the opportunity to continue leading our group’s important work,” Gorczynski said. “Although things are getting better for many LGBT people, there are still too many places where they cannot bring their entire selves to work. I encourage everyone to join us at Out & Equal in the fight for workplace equality.”
Paul von Wupperfeld of Texas Instruments was the first chair of the Out & Equal DFW Regional Affiliate when it was formed in 2006. In 2011, he helped engage the local community when Out & Equal brought their annual Summit to Dallas. He continues as chair emeritus.
Erza Litton with MetLife will chair community outreach. Sam Seelback with American Airlines is secretary and Nell Gaither with Trans Pride Initiative is treasurer.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 30, 2012.
