Previous Award Winners

Congratulations to our ECCOPAC Award winners! At each dinner, we're reminded of what a great community we have and that a special thanks is always owed to all of our attendees and volunteers for making the night such a success!

2010

JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Hon. John Perez, Speaker of the Assembly

ECCOPAC ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT HERO AWARD

Crystal Chappell, star of NBC-TV’s "Days of Our Lives" and star, co-creator and co-writer of the web series, “Venice”, and Kim Turrisi, co-creator and co-writer of the web series "Venice"

ECCOPAC LEADERSHIP HERO AWARD

Hon. Gerrie Schipske, Long Beach City Council Member and
Executive Director, Democratic Party of Orange County

ECCOPAC LIFETIME HERO AWARD

Dr. Max Schneider and Ron Smelt, LGBT Community Activists

ECCOPAC EDUCATIONAL HERO AWARD

Stephen Jimenez, Project 10 Specialist, Office of General Council, Los
Angeles Unified School District

ECCOPAC SCHNEIDER-SMELT COMMUNITY HERO AWARD

Irvine United Congregational Church, Rev Paul Tellstrom. Minister &
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, Rev Dr Karen Stoyanoff,
Minister

---

2009

JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Hon. Jose Solorio, CA Assemblymember, 69th Assembly District

LGBTQ COMMUNITY VISIONARY

Eric Bauman, CA Democratic Party Vice-Chair

POLITICAL COURAGE

Lt. Dan Choi, West Point Graduate & Iraq War Veteran

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Rev. Wilfredo Benitez, Founder St. Anslem of Canterbury (Garden Grove)

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Rev. Lillian Lobb, Founder Christ Chapel of Laguna (Laguna Beach)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Marc Solomon, EQCA Marriage Director (former MassEquality Political Director)

---

2008

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Gavin Newsom — Mayor of San Francisco

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Shannon Minter — NCLR Lead Counsel in the California Marriage Equality decision

CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD

Sal Rosselli — President of SEIU (United Healthcare Workers — West)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Michel Martenay — Developer of the Laguna Beach AIDS Memorial Garden of Peace and Love

---

2007

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Assemblymember John Laird, Chair of the LGBT Legislative Caucus

SPECIAL GUEST AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Susan Eggman, Stockton City Councilmember

JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Alicia Berhow

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Lighthouse at Southern California Edison

CIVIL RIGHTS & EDUCATION AWARD

California Teachers Association

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Peg Corley

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ivy Bottini

---

2006

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND 1st ANNUAL JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Hon. Joe Dunn, California State Senator

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Greg Willenborg — Willenborg Productions

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

Rev. Kristin Hawkins — Namaste Church of Long Beach

TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Hon. John Duran, West Hollywood City Councilmember

MARRIAGE EQUALITY AWARD

Jenny Pizer — Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund

---

2005

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Phil Angelides, California State Treasurer

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Fred Provencher — Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force, Former ECCO Chair

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Nikki Yocham — The Center OC

HEALTH SERVICE AWARD

National Diversity Council — Kaiser Permanente

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Religion and Faith Program — Human Rights Campaign

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Assemblymember Tom Umberg

COURAGE AWARD

Charlene Nguon and Trang Nguyeni

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Gene Littlefield — Orange County Community Activist, PFLAG (Posthumous)

---

2004

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Assemblymember Mark Leno

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

David Bohnett Foundation

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Tim Hanlon — Wells Fargo Foundation

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Pam Woody — PFLAG

HEALTHCARE AWARD

Laguna Beach Community Clinic

HEALTHCARE AWARD

Korey Jorgensen, M.D.

---

2003

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Michael Adams — Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund

BUSINESS SERVICE AWARD

American Airlines

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Orange County Sheriff Mike Corona

HEALTH SERVICES AWARD

Sister Mary Elizabeth — AEGIS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Brad Brafford

---

2002

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Sharon Davis, First Lady of California

BUSINESS SERVICE AWARD

Joe Hodulik — Framer's Workshop

BUSINESS SERVICE AWARD

Mark DePalma, Alford Harrison, Dan Ketelaars — Woody's at the Beach

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Paul DeGeorge — The Center OC

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Bob Tucker — Pride at Work, ERDC

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Sandra Hartness — Human Rights Campaign

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Jean Harris — CAPE

EDUCATION AWARD

Kevin Jennings — GLSEN

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Pearl Jemison-Smith

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Max Schneider, M.D.

---

2001

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Russ Vollmer

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Disneyland Resort

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

ocdm Marketing

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Brad White — Human Rights Campaign

---

2000

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Assemblymember Antonio Villaraigosa

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Steve May

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Jon W. Davidson

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

H.E.R.E Union, Local 681

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Althea Ingram

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Pat Walsh

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Richard Leyva — ERDC

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Rick Silver

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Craig Sannum

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Morris Kight

---

1999

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Urvashi Vaid

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Audrey Prosser

HEALTH SERVICE AWARD

Woman's Health Alliance

MEDIA SERVICE AWARD

Bill LaPointe — Orange County/Long Beach Blade

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Eric Bauman

---

1998

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman Barney Frank

HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD

Jorge Rodriguez, M.D.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Rebecca Chadwick

---

1997

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Senator John Vasconcellos

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Meg Robinson

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Howard Hay

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Del Martin

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Phyllis Lyon

---

1996

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Chris Bull

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

John Gallagher

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Janice Barrett

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Julie Tanit

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

John Good

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Walter Carnwright

HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD

Jim Lacy

---

1995

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AWARD

ECCO Moments, presented by Libby Cowan Robert Rios, Pearl Jemison-Smith

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Bonnie Castry

CORPORATE AWARD

PacifiCare Health Systems

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Scott Westerfield

---

1994

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Sheila James Kuehl

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Neil Purcell

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Manny Ortega

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Jeordan Legon

ELIZABETH CATY STANTON AWARD

Gloria Kapp

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Gene White

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Jeff LeTourneau

DONALD G. HAGEN AWARD

Robert Gentry

---

1993

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Representative Neil Abercrombie

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Representative Tom Campbell

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

David B. Mixner

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Elizabeth Ann Cowan

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Valerie Gold-Neil

EDUCATION AWARD

Del Weber

---

1992

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Secretary of State March Fong Eu

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Barbara Jackson

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Michael Losquadro

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Dana Parsons — Los Angeles Times

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Dianne Klein — Los Angeles Times

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Dr. Penny Weismuller

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Gene White

DONALD G. HAGEN AWARD

Supervisor Tom Riley

DONALD G. HAGEN AWARD

Supervisor Harriett Wieder

---

1991

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman Gerry Studds

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

John J. Duran, Esq.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

John Flake

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Lily Badalamenti

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

K. Bradley Hudson — Spectrum News

---

1990

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Joseph C. Steffan

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Pat Callahan

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

George Raab

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Joseph Bell — Los Angeles Times

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Reverend Fred Plummer

AWARD OF SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Rick Heckenliable (posthumous)

---

1989

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Arlene Sontag

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Richard Reinsch

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Barbara Muirhead

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Orange County Human Relations Commission

---

1988

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman John Miller

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congresswoman Pat Schroeder

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

The City of Laguna Beach

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

The City of Irvine

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Carroll Leslie

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Barbara Strauss

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Ed Miskevich

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Robert Walden and the cast of Brothers

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Charles A. Robertson, M.D.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

PFLAG Speakers Bureau

---

1987

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman John Miller

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congresswoman Barbara Boxer

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Don G. Hagan, M.D.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Alex Wentzel

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Devron Kelly Huber (posthumous)

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Pearl Jemison-Smith, R.N.

ELIZABETH CADY STANTON AWARD

Gloria Allred

---

1986

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Lt. Governor Leo McCarthy

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Lisa Kaye

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Tim Miller

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Ivy Bottini

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

AIDS Services Foundation

MEDIA AWARD

Bob Emmers, The Orange County Register

---

1985

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Senator Art Torres

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Assemblymember William Filante

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Assemblymember Maxine Waters

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

M. Dan Wooldridge

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Georgia Garrett-Norris, Esq.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Mel Lewis, M.D.

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Randy Pesqueira

---

1984

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Senator Ed Davis

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Assemblymember Art Agnos

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Bob Gentry

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Pat Paddock

MEDIA AWARD

Jim Boone

ECCOPAC 2010 Endorsements

As part of ECCOPAC's 27th Annual HERO Awards Dinner, ECCOPAC released it's Endorsement Slate for the 2010 California General Election. Working with community members and activists, ECCOPAC continues a long tradition of endorsing progressive issues and candidates that encourage and support the advancement of LGBTQ Civil Rights. ECCOPAC thanks all of the participants in this year's endorsement process - candidates for seeking our endorsement, and community members for giving us input during the process.

ECCOPAC 2010 California Proposition Endorsements
Click image to enlarge

ECCOPAC 2010 Complete Endorsement Slate
Click image to enlarge

ECCOPAC 27th Annual HERO Awards

ECCOPAC, one of California’s oldest LGBT Political Action Committees, invites you to join us for our 27th Annual Community HERO Awards Dinner at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.

This event, attended by 300+ of Southern California’s most active LGBT community members, suporters and activists, is an opportunity for us to honor our community HEROs from politics, community advocates, arts & entertainment, education, and businesses.

This year ECCOPAC honors:

• Crystal Chappell, star of NBC-TV’s "Days of Our Lives" and star, co-creator and co-writer of the web series, “Venice”, and Kim Turrisi, co-creator and co-writer of the web series "Venice"
  ECCOPAC Arts & Entertainment HERO Award
  
• The Honorable John Perez, Speaker of the California Assembly
  Joe Dunn Award for Political Leadership
• The Honorable Gerrie Schipske, Long Beach City Council Member and Executive Director, Democratic Party of Orange County
  ECCOPAC Leadership HERO Award
  
  
• Dr. Max Schneider and Ron Smelt, LGBT Community Activists
  ECCOPAC Lifetime HERO Award
  
  
• Stephen Jimenez, Project 10 Specialist, Office of General Council, Los Angeles Unified School District
  ECCOPAC Educational HERO Award
  
• Irvine United Congregational Church, Rev Paul Tellstrom. Minister & Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, Rev Dr Karen Stoyanoff, Minister
  ECCOPAC Schneider-Smelt Community HERO Award
  
  

Each of this year's recipients has demonstrated integrity, leadership, and has distinguished themselves in their life and profession. We proudly salute each of these HEROES.

This year's dinner is being held on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel Orange County/Costa Mesa. Rooms are available for $99/night using the discount code CAT.

Our VIP Reception and silent auction, with and open bar and hors d'oeuvres, begins at 5:30pm. The standard reception and silent auction begins at 6:00pm. Dinner will begin at 7pm.

Space is available in our full-sized Dinner program. Ad rates:

• Inside front or back cover = $700
• Full page = $400
• Half page = $250
• Quarter page = $125
• Business card = $65

For advertising, please call 1.949.498.8771 or email Denise Penn.

We look forward to sharing this evening with you.


Tickets prices are:
$150 (Reception and Dinner)
$200 (VIP Reception and Dinner)

Judge rules California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

(CNN) -- A federal judge in California on Wednesday overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, saying the voter-approved rule violated the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians.

The decision, issued by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco, is an initial step in what will likely be a lengthy legal fight over California's Proposition 8, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

At stake in the trial was whether California's ban on same-sex marriage violated the constitutional rights to equal protection and due process of two gay couples that want to marry.

The case was watched closely by both supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, as many say it is likely to wind its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. If it does, the case could end in a landmark decision on whether people in the United States are allowed to marry people of the same sex."We are thrilled with today's ruling, which affirms that the protections enshrined in our U.S. Constitution apply to all Americans and that our dream of equality and freedom deserves protection," said Geoff Kors, executive director for Equality California, shortly after the decision.

Kristin Perry and Sandy Stier, along with Jeffrey Zarrillo and Paul Katami, are the two couples at the heart of the case, which if appealed would go next to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before possibly heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Outside a San Francisco courthouse, a small group of same-sex marriage supporters waited for the decision. They waved flags and carried signs that read: "We all deserve the freedom to marry." Rallies were planned for later in the day Proposition 8 is part of a long line of seesaw rulings, court cases, debates and protests in California over the hotly debated issue of same-sex marriage. It passed with some 52 percent of the vote in November 2008.

Prior to Wednesday's decision, Rick Jacobs, founder of the Campaign Courage, which supports same-sex marriage, said he was hopeful about the possibility of victory, but prepared for a long legal battle.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in five U.S. states and in the District of Colombia. Civil unions are permitted in New Jersey.

"The significance of the case is earth-shattering," said Jacobs.

ECCOPAC 2010 Califonia Primary Voter Guide

Subscribe to ECCOPAC updates & endorsements and receive our voter guide as an email as soon as it is published.

Gay rights group demands apology from Newsweek

AP – FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2010 file photo, 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy arrivse at the InStyle/Warner Bros. …
By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen, Ap Entertainment Writer – Wed May 12, 10:12 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – A gay rights group is demanding an apology from Newsweek magazine for a recent story that the group says suggested gay actors can't play straight characters.

"An actor's personal life should not be a factor in their believability in a role," said Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. "That would be tantamount to audiences not buying Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl as lovers in their upcoming film 'Killers' because the two are happily married to different people in real life."

GLAAD spokesman Rich Ferraro said the magazine has not offered the apology sought by the group, but that the topic was discussed with Barrios and Dustin Lance Black, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of "Milk," during a Q&A with Newsweek on Wednesday. He said he believed that discussion would be published in the next issue.

Some Hollywood stars blasted the magazine and writer Ramin Setoodeh for an April 26 story that said it was OK for straight actors to play gay roles, but "it's rare for someone to pull off the trick in reverse."

In the story, Setoodeh criticized Sean Hayes' latest leading-man performance on Broadway, writing that the openly gay actor "comes off as wooden and insincere, like he's trying to hide something, which of course he is."

Ryan Murphy, creator of the hit Fox series "Glee," called for a boycott of the magazine until it apologizes to its gay readers, Hayes and "and other brave out actors who were cruelly singled out in this damaging, needlessly cruel and mind-blowingly bigoted piece."

Kristin Chenoweth, who stars opposite Hayes in "Promises, Promises" on Broadway, defended her co-star and denounced the Newsweek article in a letter to the editor.

"No one needs to see a bigoted, factually inaccurate article that tells people who deviate from heterosexual norms that they can't be open about who they are and still achieve their dreams," she wrote.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, however, defended the magazine and its writer in an essay published Wednesday by The Huffington Post website.

Sorkin blamed the tabloid-fueled drive to know every detail about performers' personal lives and the institutionalized homophobia found in the American military, and national marriage and adoption laws.

Newsweek did not respond to a call and e-mail seeking comment Wednesday.
___
Online:
Newsweek, http://www.newsweek.com

ECCOPAC announces candidate endorsements

~ ECCOPAC is PROUD ~

~ to endorse the following candidates for public office ~

We invite you to join with us and vote for

these candidates who support our community!

Phu Nguyen for 68th California Assembly District

Dave Jones for California Insurance Commissioner

Jordan Brandman for Trustee, Anaheim Union High School District

ELECTION OF DELEGATES FOR 2010 CAMPAIGN

OCTOBER 2009

Orange County Town Hall / Regional Representative Election

October 6, 2009

6:30 PM

Teamsters Hall

140 S. Marks Way

Orange, CA 92868

Help elect YOUR representatives to the statewide Grassroots Council. At the Town Hall you will elect YOUR Orange County Regional Representatives (or perhaps be elected!) to the Statewide Advisory Panel of 'Restore Equality 2010.' It is vital that all of us get involved to make our voices heard.

This will also be an informational meeting on the plan and progress to date of the 2010 ballot effort.

Rules:

1. Every attendee has the right to vote.
2. Orange County has been divided into 3 regions from which we will elect our 3 Regional Representatives.
3. A candidate may run for only one Regional Representative position.
4. The candidate must have community ties to the area and must either live or work in the region.
5. The candidate may not be part of the IAG Responsibilities of elected Regional Representatives

Responsibilities of elected Regional Representatives

1. The elected Regional Representative will be the district field organizer for all the local signature hubs created in their district.
2. The Regional Representative will be the primary contact for their local hubs.

OC has been allotted 3 Regional Representative positions, dividing the county into 3 regions;

• Region 1 - North OC: West of the 55,5 and 57 freeways;
• Region 2 - Central OC: East of the 55,5, and 57 and West of 133, 241 and 91 freeways;
• Region 3 - South OC: East of the 133, 241, and 91 freeways Maps will be posted to the group page shortly.

If you are interested in being a delegate or hosting a hub, it is recommended that you read the Davis Plan

http://www.restoreequality2010.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/The_Davis_Plan.pdf

If you are going to run for a delegate position, it is recommended that you post your info to the facebook group page and share a little bit about why you believe you will make a good rep for Orange County.

Please come out and support this effort, find out why it these groups are going back to the ballot in 2010, learn how you can help, and/or run for a regional representative position.

To see more details and click RSVP or follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/event.php&eid=290074080602&mid=12bd1c1G4c9a077cGee4807G7

26th Annual ECCO Awards Dinner

Join ECCO as we honor our community's finest!
ECCO's 26th Annual Awards Dinner
TICKET PRE-SALE EXTENDED TO OCT 1, 2009

ECCO is proud to announce that this year's honorees* include:

• Joe Dunn Political Leadership Award: Hon. Jose Solorio, CA State Assemblyman
• GLBT Community Visionary Award: Eric Bauman, CA Democratic Party Vice-Chair
• Political Courage Award: Lt. Dan Choi, West Point graduate and Iraq veteran
• Social Justice Award: Reverend Wilfredo Benitez, Rector of Saint Anselm
• Community Spirit Award: Reverend Lillian Lobb, Founder of Christ Chapel of Laguna
• Lifetime Achievement: Marc Solomon, EQCA Marriage Director and former MassEquality Political Director

In addition, we are privledged and fortunate to have as our keynote speaker Torie Osborn, author, longtime activist, Durfee Foundation Stanton Fellow, Former Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington DC, former Executive Director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, former senior advisor to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and current Chief Civic Engagement Officer for United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

Event Details:

• Saturday, October 3rd from 6-10 p.m.
• Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa CA 92626.
• Ticket prices are $175 - but act now and you can get your tickets at the pre-sale price of $150.
• Tickets are available for purchase direct from ECCO or by either using the PayPal or ActBlue
  

RSVP to 949-975-0866 or eccodinner@yahoo.com

*Nomination for an ECCO award does not necessarily constitute endorsement of ECCO

ECCO
Announces New Organizational Structure,
Seeks New Board Members

Santa Ana, CA - September 21, 2009 - As ECCO prepares for its annual awards dinner and fundraiser, the organization elected its leadership structure for 2009-2010, and announces it is seeking applicants to fill existing vacancies.

2009-2010 Board of Directors:

• Chair - Jim Rogers
• Eugene Hedlund - Vice-Chair
• Scott Miller - Treasurer
• Secretary - Marisa Thomas
• Bryan Choate - Development Director
• Eric Dills - Donor Relations Director
• Misha Houser - Public Affairs Director

A new Political Director will be announced at the October 3rd "Don't Stop Believing" Community Awards Dinner on October 3rd. Assemblyman Jose Solorio, Lt. Dan Choi, California Democratic Party Vice Chair, Eric Bauman, Equality California Marriage Director Marc Solomon, Rev. Wilfredo Benitez, and Rev. Lillian Lobb will be honored.

The dinner will be held at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 92626, 6-10 pm. Tickets may be purchased through the ECCO ActBlue webpage or PayPal [links also available at www.eccopac.org] or sent directly ECCO at:

ECCO
2321 E 4th Street, #C438
Santa Ana, CA 92705

ECCO Chair Jim Rogers commented, "We're excited at ECCO about what the future holds. We're preparing for what we hope will be our most successful Annual Dinner ever! This reorganization better reflects the strengths and interests of the Board Members and the future direction of ECCO. We are dedicated to increasing ECCO's influence and impact while serving our diverse communities."

ECCO is already gearing up for the next election cycle, the issues we will confront, and the candidates who will be seeking our support and endorsement.

About ECCO:

ECCO is California's oldest and ONLY Federal and State LGBTQ Political Action Committee whose mission is to locate and educate local politicians and candidates on issues of importance to the LGBTQ community, including Civil and Human Rights, HIV/AIDS, as well as Women's, Progressive and Labor issues.

ECCO's Statement of Principles:

ECCO's Board practices principles of transparency and good governance. We meet regularly to discuss and deliberate issues and candidates that affect our community. Decisions are made only after a through vetting of the issue and candidate's support and knowledge of our core issues. Board members having personal or financial interest or perception of a conflict of interest, are precluded from deliberations on those issues or candidates in which they may have a stake.