Minnesota Students, Lynch Honored by NCLR

Imagine the social and political atmosphere for members of the LGBT community in 1977.

Openly gay employees risked termination in every state, adoption was impossible for openly gay applicants, custody loss for openly gay parents was common, same-sex marriage was hardly on the horizon, and there were no openly LGBT government officials at the national level.

It was also the year that attorney Donna Hitchens founded what would become the National Center for Lesbian Rights, a nonprofit legal firm that protects the civil and human rights of LGBT people and their families. This year marked the organization's 35th anniversary, which was celebrated during a gala dinner at the Westin St. Francis and at an after-party at the Metreon on May 5. (Hitchens recently retired from the San Francisco Superior Court, where she served for many years as a judge.)

At the annual event, NCLR awarded actor, singer, and comedian Jane Lynch with the Vanguard Award for using her fame as a platform to promote LGBT equality. Lynch's advocacy for LGBT youth, integrity, and authenticity as an out lesbian were also recognized.

"From the very first moment I met Jane, she was so down-to-earth, accessible, and lovely," NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell said in an interview with the Bay Area Reporter .

"This is a woman that's never been in the closet and has never tried to trade in on heterosexual privilege. She's unapologetic about being a lesbian. It's a part of who she is along with being a singer, an actor, six-foot-one, and honest with a sense of self that is refreshing. She's a role model in a vast number of ways - not just to the LGBT community," Kendell said.

Lynch, a star of the award-winning television series Glee , was presented with the award by her wife Lara Embry, whom she met at NCLR's 32nd anniversary celebration. That year, Embry received the Justice Award for her role in a same-sex custody case undertaken by NCLR. Lynch and Embry were married in 2010.

The Courage Award was also presented to six students from Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin School District for bravery exhibited during a 2011 sexual-orientation and gender discrimination lawsuit.

NCLR clients Brittany Geldert, Damian McGee-Backes, Dylon Frei, Kyle Rooker, Ebonie Richardson, and Kyrstin Schuette filed the lawsuit in response to the school district's policy-backed refusal to protect them from anti-LGBT bullying. According to NCLR, nine student suicides have occurred in the same district in recent years, four of which are believed to have been caused by anti-LGBT harassment, exemplifying the district's need for change. The case was resolved earlier this year after the district agreed to an LGBT-friendly policy overhaul.

"I'm really excited and proud," Frei, 15, told the B.A.R. "To me it means a lot because now I have support when before I didn't."

Frei is now being homeschooled as a result of the traumatic abuse he experienced at school.

Out gay actor and LGBT youth advocate Wilson Cruz presented the students with the award during the anniversary dinner in front of 1,100 applauding guests. Cruz, best known for his roles in My So-Called Life and Noah's Arc, has worked with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

"I'm so incredibly proud of these young people who really put themselves out there and with the support of their parents and families helped change the face of their school district, Cruz said in a brief interview. "I can't say enough about how much courage it takes. I'm truly honored to be here honoring them."

While Lynch was honored and grateful for her award, she emphasized that recognition should be forwarded to the six students.

"I should be honoring them," she said in an interview. "Sometimes just writing a check feels like an empty gesture. But when you come to these events and hear the stories and talk to the kids - it's really wonderful."

Hosted by comedian Kate Clinton, the anniversary dinner raised $150,000 for the organization.

"It was one of the most, if not the most, successful dinners we've ever had," Kendell said.

Between the gala dinner and the after party, around 2,000 people celebrated NCLR's 35th anniversary.

To donate or learn more, visit nclrights.org http://nclrights.org.