New York Leadership Awards Kickoff

New York Leadership Awards kickoff event attracts full house

Mike Jones, who exposed the hypocrisy of the Rev. Ted Haggard, teams up with National Gay and Lesbian Task Force for kickoff event for New York Leadership Awards

Denver resident Mike Jones, who exposed the hypocrisy of the Rev. Ted Haggard in a scandal that garnered national headlines in November, was the featured speaker at the Jan. 16 kickoff event for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s 2007 New York Leadership Awards.

The kickoff, held at the beautiful New York City home of Task Force board member Ken Ranftle and partner Craig Leiby, drew a packed house. Executive Director Matt Foreman spoke with the crowd about the work the Task Force is doing to advance full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and New York Leadership Awards co-chair Jeff Adler urged folks to support that mission by getting involved in the 2007 New York Leadership Awards.

Haggard, former head of the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, stepped down in October 2006 amid allegations he had a three-year sexual relationship with Jones, an escort. Haggard also resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals due to the revelations.

The audience applauded Jones for his courage in revealing his association with Haggard. Jones responded by saying he felt compelled to do so because the evangelical religious leader — an outspoken opponent of same-sex unions — was being hypocritical.

The 2007 New York Leadership Awards, to be held April 16 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, will honor U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality. Learn more at www.theTaskForce.org/nyla [0].

Photo gallery

Featured guest Mike Jones (center) talks about the Rev. Ted Haggard scandal as Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman (left) and others listen intently. [ High resolution download ] [0]

Paula Redd Zeman, Task Force board vice chair and co-chair of the New York Leadership Awards, with Debanuj Dasgupta, vice chair of the New York Leadership Awards, and Frank De Leon.

Leadership Council member Ted Snowdon and Jerry Wade.

Anthony Roncalli and Eric von Kuersteiner with the evening’s hosts Craig Leiby and partner Ken Ranftle, who also serves on the Task Force board.

Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman (speaking) and Leadership Council member Tim Legg. [ High resolution download ] [0]

The Rev. Deborah Tammearu, a Leadership Council member, with Maureen Burnley, Task Force board treasurer and vice chair of the New York Leadership Awards.

Leadership Council member and New York Leadership Awards table captain Don Thomas with Dan Lanning.

Shawn Brennan, kickoff event co-host Craig Leiby and Kevin Sterns.

Task Force Development Director Bob Shaw and Ruben Gonzales, Task Force major gifts officer. Photos: Inga Sarda-Sorensen