With spring around the corner, ROSMY is excited to announce the recipients of its 2014 Catalyst Awards. The honorees were chosen based on their work in the community to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Catalyst Award recipients will be recognized at the organization’s annual fundraiser, Springtime: A Magical Evening on Saturday, May 3 from 7-11p.m. at The Tuckahoe Woman’s Club.
The 2014 Catalyst Award recipients include:
- The University of Richmond: UR has become increasingly noted for its commitment to providing an inclusive environment for LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, and alumni and engaging the wider community with this welcoming spirit. UR has dedicated staff and space through its program, Common Ground, to provide wide-ranging support across its campus. UR has also developed lasting partnerships with community organizations including ROSMY. This work continues with two high-profile events in 2014, the Q-Summit: A Southern Queer Youth Gathering and the Campus Pride LGBTQ College Sports Summit. All of these initiatives speak to the University’s leadership in providing empowering experiences for LGBTQ youth.
- Ms. Marge Connelly: Ms. Connelly has been a powerful proponent of LGBTQ rights within the business world and the wider community in Richmond and the UK. Through her many accomplishments, she exemplifies leadership and has inspired many with her commitment to inclusion and social responsibility. Connelly is particularly noted for driving diversity within the workplace. At Capital One, she successfully advocated for domestic partner benefits and for the company’s public support of ENDA, and convinced the company to become ROSMY’s first major corporate supporter.
“ROSMY is dedicated to addressing the evolving needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in our community which can be seen with the recent additions of a middle school support group and suicide prevention programming,” said ROSMY executive director Beth Panilaitis. “Our Catalyst Award honorees inspire us to continue expanding opportunities for LGBTQ young people to thrive. We’re proud to honor their significant contributions to our community at this year’s Springtime event.”
Springtime: A Magical Evening is generously sponsored by UPS, BB&T Wealth, Capital One, Dominion Resources, Lewis Insurance Associates, The Monument Group, Weinstein Properties, Equality Virginia, and Wayne Gauthier of Joyner Fine Properties. Flowers donated by Tom French Flowers; bar sponsor: Escafé.
Tickets for Springtime: A Magical Evening are $125 ($100 early bird price until March 20), with proceeds going to ROSMY’s programming that supports LGBTQ youth. The evening will include a cocktail reception, music by jazz quartet, As If, led by VCU saxophonist, Myrick Crampton, and a silent auction featuring a variety of items from vacation getaways to one-of-a-kind art created by local and regional artists. Get more information and purchase ticket tickets or call 804-644-4800 for more information. For comment, please contact Beth Panilaitis.
ABOUT ROSMY
ROSMY was founded in 1991 to ensure equal opportunities for success for Virginia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth through access to support, education, and advocacy. ROSMY continues to be the only organization in Central Virginia that addresses the unique needs and the healthy social development of LGBTQ youth ages 11-20. ROSMY provides weekly support groups, a leadership program, suicide prevention and cultural activities. Other activities are hosted throughout the year including an annual Alternative Prom that more than 130 youth attended in 2013. Last year ROSMY’s Institute for Equality trained over 1,600 social workers, teachers, and mental health professionals throughout Central Virginia on how to better serve the LGBTQ youth they work with.
