Comedian Kate Clinton, actor Wilson Cruz, and the acclaimed musical duo the Indigo Girls were honored, as well as E*TRADE president and CEO Kathy Levinson and her partner Jennifer, who made large contributions toward the California fight against the anti-gay marriage Proposition 22.

Also honored was lawyer Lawrence Tribe, who has lent legal advice to many pivotal GLBT civil rights suits, and Clinton administration's AIDS czar Sandra Thurman.

The Awardees

Kate Clinton is perhaps America's brightest political comedian. The monologist's agenda includes political material as fresh as the daily news, savvy send-ups of modern family relationships, and illuminating perspectives on life as a gay American.

Kate Clinton and Wilson Cruz

Wilson Cruz's courageous and honest portrayals of gay characters, notably on TV's My So-Called Life, have helped create a safe and supportive environment.

While the Indigo Girls were unable to attend the event, they sent along an autographed acoustic guitar, which was quickly auctioned off for $3,800. Over a period of ten years of recording inspiring and unabashedly honest songs, the Indigo Girls have bravely committed their voices, time, and money to the issues that concern them most -- among them women's rights, protection of the environment, the rights of indigenous peoples, gay and lesbian rights, and gun control -- creating a presence and impact outside conventional boundaries of the music world.

The generosity and support of the GLBT community that Kathy and Jennifer Levinson have demonstrated is a powerful and instrumental force in bringing our movement into the 21st century. The Levinsons have been important philanthropists, donating to the No On Knight Initiative, the Family Policy Project at NGLTF, and the GLBT center at Stanford. They serve as a model for the GLBT community in their support and nurturing of our movement. Kathy has served as president and chief operating officer of E*TRADE Group, Inc. since January 1999.

Sandra Thurman was appointed in 1997 as President Clinton's AIDS Czar. Before coming to the White House, Thurman served as the executive director of AID Atlanta, the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in the South, from 1988 to 1993.

Lawrence Tribe has been a dedicated attorney and advisor on behalf of our communities. His involvement in Bowers v. Hardwick, Romber v. Evans, and most recently the Defense of Marriage Act, has been invaluable to our community and to efforts of to create a society in which everyone is valued.

NGLTF is the national progressive organization working for the civil rights of GLBT people. NGLTF's vision and commitment to social change is building a powerful political movement in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

NGLTF serves tens of thousands of people in need of resources, training, and technical assistance to pass pro-GLBT legislation. NGLTF helps those fighting for their families, employment, health care, hate crimes, and more.

	Listen now! Barney Frank interviewed. Barney Frank exclusive Ellen DeGeneres Equality Rocks recap Pet Shop Boys The Pink Triangle Rock for gay rights