Immigration Equality to Honor Congresswoman Barbara Lee

On Wednesday, October 26, Immigration Equality, the nation's leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization, will hold SHINE, its annual women's event. This year, the organization will honor Congresswoman Barbara Lee, New York City Commission on Human Rights Chair and Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis, and Immigration Equality Co-Founder Noemi Masliah.

Each of the honorees will receive a Leading Light Award for their leadership advancing the civil and human rights of LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants. And each of these women has fought relentlessly for our community. Representative Lee is a civil rights icon who was instrumental in overturning the HIV travel ban. She continues to fight to ensure that LGBTQ immigrant families can stay together.

"I am deeply humbled to receive this award from Immigration Equality, an organization that's on the front lines fighting for humanity in our broken immigration system, especially amongst LGBTQ people who are disproportionately at risk," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "For too long, our broken immigration system has callously torn too many families apart. I am proud to stand with Immigration Equality and others as we fight for system driven by justice that recognizes the inherent humanity in every person."

Similarly, in just the past few months, Commissioner Malalis has spearheaded campaigns to help make New York City a safer place for transgender and Muslim New Yorkers.

"I am so honored to accept this Leading Light Award from Immigration Equality, a partner in the fight to advance the rights of LGBTQ immigrants, immigrants living with HIV/AIDS, and their families," said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Carmelyn P. Malalis. "The NYC Commission on Human Rights fights every day to ensure that everyone in New York City, regardless of their immigration status, identity, or orientation, receives the dignity and respect they deserve. And we will not rest until they do."

Finally, Noemi Masliah literally created the field we work in today as a lifelong immigrant rights advocate and co-founder of Immigration Equality. It is a an honor to celebrate these leaders with the Leading Light Award," said Aaron C. Morris, Executive Director of Immigration Equality.

"I am very grateful for this award," said Immigration Equality Co-Founder Noemi Masliah. "I am so incredibly proud of what Immigration Equality has accomplished since we founded the organization in 1994. Look at it now, look at how far it has come, and I look forward to continuing to do together such important work in the years ahead."

SHINE is Immigration Equality's annual event celebrating women's leadership in the LGBTQ immigrant rights movement. Previous awardees have included Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City Council Speaker; Suzanne Goldberg, Columbia Law School Professor and Co-Founder of Immigration Equality; Lorena Borjas, trans activist and founder of the Lorena Borjas Community Fund; and Denise Chambers, Immigration Equality client ambassador and asylum winner from Trinidad.

Immigration Equality is the nation's leading LGBTQ immigrant rights organization. We represent and advocate for people from around the world fleeing violence, abuse, and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. Our legal team has won asylum for hundreds of LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants while maintaining a 99 percent success rate.