4 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE September 23, 2011

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Nash, Downing receive Freedom Awards

by John Farina

Cleveland-The Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, Northeast Ohio's largest partisan LGBT political organization, is hosting their eighth annual Freedom Reception on Monday, September 26. This year's reception will be held at Dragonfly Cleveland in the Ohio City neighborhood.

The event is held each year to raise funds to support the organization's political action committee and has netted over $50,000 since its inception in 2003. Funds from the PAC are used to offer financial support of CSD endorsed candidates. A full list of the 2011 endorsed candidates is available on the organization's website.

Each year the Freedom Award is given in recognition for outstanding service by a public official, government body or com-

munity activist for exceptional work on behalf of LGBT equality. Past honorees have included Gov. Ted Strickland, the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus, activists Robert and Joyce Strommen and the city councils of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights. As a tribute to longtime friend of the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats and the LGBT community, the Freedom Award was named in honor of Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones in 2008.

The 2011 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Freedom Award is being given to transgender activist Jacob 'Jake' Nash-honoring a member of the trans community for the first time in CSD history. In addition, the organization's Leadership Award will be presented to community leader Timothy J.

obituaries

Kevin Sullivan

Springfield, Ohio-Kevin Sullivan, longtime AIDS activist, advocate and executive director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition, died September 5. He was five days short of his 61st birthday.

"This is sad news, and a deep loss to our community and our work," said Bill Hardy, CEO of AIDS Resource Center Ohio. "For the past decade Kevin has been front and center in our public policy and advocacy efforts in Ohio and nationwide."

Sullivan served as executive director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition for ten years prior to its merger with ARC Ohio last month.

Sullivan was among the Ohio AIDS service organization leaders who work with members of Congress, state representatives, and others to advocate for funding for services for HIV-positive individuals. He also participated in ongoing efforts to direct state and county HIV testing and prevention funding to populations most impacted by HIV and AIDS. At the national level, he served on the board of the National Association for People with AIDS, and was frequently invited as an expert participant in a range of other national planning and strat-

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Sullivan's leadership is widely recognized. "Kevin worked every day to advocate for the best care for Ohioans living with HIV. He moved us forward-sometimes in strides and sometimes in baby steps, but

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Downing. U.S. Representative Tim Ryan will be the event's guest speaker and will be recognized for his leadership on LGBT issues in the House of Representatives.

Tickets for the event are $100 per person for a VIP reception at 5 pm and $50 per person for general admission at 6 pm and are available at the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats website: www.clevelandstonewall democrats.org or by calling John Farina at 216-832-7106.

John Farina is an at-large board member of the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, and the treasurer of the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats Political Action Committee.

always forward," said Jane Russell, director of the Ohio State Local Performance Site of the Pennsylvania/Mid Atlantic AIDS Education and Training Center in Columbus.

"Kevin's devotion, impact, leadership, and especially his passion will be missed," said Pam Gibbs of Canton, who chaired the Ohio AIDS Coalition board.

"Kevin lived with HIV for some 25 years, and often:said that, as a long-term survivor, he beat the odds in many ways," recalls Hardy. "Nonetheless, his declining health over the past year and his death are poignant and painful reminders that, in spite of all our advances and even with the best possible treatment, there is still no cure for AIDS and the disease continues to take from us dear loved ones."

A funeral mass was held September 10 at St. Teresa Church in Springfield. A special fund has been set up to honor Sullivan's legacy and sustain advocacy and other programs of OAC at www.arcohio.org/ giftoflife. Memorial donations may also be made to Catholic Central High School Foundation or Community Mercy Hospice in Springfield.

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