Leading attorney Bonauto to receive top LGBTQ award at Task Force Gala – Miami

MIAMI, FL, August 11, 2015 — Attorney Mary L. Bonauto, one of the leading architects of the U.S. Supreme Court marriage equality victory, will receive the National LGBTQ Task Force’s National Leadership Award at the organization’s Gala in Miami, Florida.

“Mary is one of those exceptional people who — through her brilliant legal mind, her advocacy and her passion for freedom, justice and equality — has literally changed the world and made it a better place for millions of same-sex couples and the LGBTQ community. We are delighted to be honoring her outstanding leadership, innovation and action at our upcoming Gala,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.

Bonauto, who has served as the Civil Rights Project Director at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders since 1990, successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the historic case Obergefell v. Hodges, establishing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide. She has litigated in the state and federal courts of New England on discrimination issues, parental rights, free speech and religious liberty, and relationship recognition. She lives in Portland with her spouse and their two children.

The Gala will also honor local community leader Juan Bosco Talavera for his more than 20 years of work to expand basic rights for LGBTQ people.

Tickets are $450 and include an intimate cocktail reception, silent auction, sit-down dinner, awards ceremony, and dancing. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at www.thetaskforcegala.org, http://www.thetaskforcegala.org. This year’s event is presented by Wells Fargo and co-chaired by Charles Million and Josue Santiago. Video highlights from last year’s Gala are available here.

Now in its 19th year, the Gala along with Winter Party Festival support the work of the National LGBTQ Task Force and South Florida organizations working to secure full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people and their families. The event is set to take place at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Saturday, October 24, 2015.

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Media Contacts:
Mark Daley
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
(Office) 202.639.6325
(Cell) 202.379.8318
mdaley@thetaskforce.org

Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
(Office) 202.639.6306
(Cell) 213.842.7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org