Sheriff gets ‘Distinguished Democrat’ title, 5 other awards handed out, new officers introduced at group’s annual Holiday Party
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| JOHN WRIGHT/Dallas Voice Dallas County District Court Judge Lynn Cherry, right, is shown alongside performer Chanel during Stonewall Democrats of Dallas’ Holiday Party at the Round-Up Saloon on Monday, Dec. 8. |
Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez captured the top award from Stonewall Democrats of Dallas during the group’s annual Holiday Party on Dec. 8 at the Round-Up Saloon.
Valdez, who won re-election in November and remains the nation’s only lesbian Latina sheriff, was named Stonewall Democrats’ Harryette Ehrhardt Distinguished Democrat of the Year.
Valdez was one of 30 elected officials who attended the Holiday Party, which drew a total of 200 people.
Others who received awards from North Texas’ largest LGBT political group were:
• Ann Cohn, Buck Massey Member of the Year.
• Kaye Gooch, Christy Kinsler Board Member of the Year.
• Greg Grosh, PL Moore Philanthropist of the Year.
• Eric Moye, "Pink Pump" award.
• Park Cities/Central Dallas Democrats, "Stonewall Ally" award.
Also during the Holiday Party, Stonewall Democrats President-elect Erin Moore introduced members of her new board for 2009, including Vice President Jay Narey, Treasurer Michael McCue and Secretary Kenneth Denson.
Returning to serve on the 2009 board are Ron Ausemus, Patrick Boothe, Kaye Gooch, Jeff Falin, Venton Jones and Kim Ma. New board members include Charles Griffith, Phyllis Guest, Charles Mullins and Omar Narvaez.
The organization’s by-law review committee includes David Bradley, Pam Gerber, Bill Howell, Mike LoVuolo and Scott McMichael.
Stonewall raised $1,500 for the organization through memberships and basket auction sales during the event.
The group also collected nearly 250 household items for charity, benefiting the Legacy Founders Cottage and Legacy Counseling Center.
The cottage and center provide care to HIV/AIDS patients.
Stonewall Democrats of Dallas’ will not hold its regular monthly meeting in December.
The group’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at Ojeda’s Restaurant, 4617 Maple Ave.
Outgoing Stonewall President Jesse Garcia said the group is inviting the community to celebrate President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration at Ojeda’s that evening.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition December 19, 2008.