National LGBTQ Task Force to Honor Local Advocate Juan Bosco Talavera
Honoree will be presented with award at 19th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner
MIAMI, FL, April 23, 2015 — The National LGBTQ Task Force has announced that Juan Bosco Talavera will receive the 2015 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award at the 19th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Saturday, October 24, 2015. Launched in 1997, the annual fundraising gala honors leaders for their outstanding contributions to advance full freedom, justice, and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people.
“For over 20 years, Juan has dedicated his work to advancing basic rights for LGBTQ people,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director. “We’re proud to honor Juan for his distinguished contributions to the South Florida community and we look forward to another exciting and record-breaking awards celebration.”
Since 1993, Talavera has worked to increase support and awareness for LGBTQ people and people affected by HIV/AIDS. He has volunteered and served on the boards of organizations such as: the Health Crisis Network (HCN), Pridelines Youth Services, the Miami and Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals, the SIDA ESPERANZA VIDA conference on HIV/AIDS, Spirit—a monthly spiritual LGBTQ support group—and SAVE—South Florida’s leading LGBTQ advocacy organization. Talavera served as board chair of SAVE from 2005 – 2008 and was instrumental in the campaign to pass Miami-Dade County’s Human Rights Ordinance, the campaign to secure domestic partner benefits for the county’s employees, the campaign to prevent the county’s Human Rights ordinance from being repealed in 2002, and the campaign to include explicit protections for transgender people in Miami and Miami Beach human rights ordinances.
Talavera also spearheaded local efforts to defeat Florida’s constitutional amendment that banned the right for same-sex couples to marry and signed on as a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit challenging the amendment. He and his husband, Jeff Ronci, were among the first couples to get their marriage license when Florida won marriage equality. Talavera is a licensed clinical social worker and works as a case manager at Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees from Florida International University.
The Miami Recognition Dinner will include an intimate cocktail reception, silent auction, sit-down dinner, awards ceremony, and dancing. Proceeds from the Miami Recognition Dinner and the Winter Party Festival support the National LGBTQ Task Force’s work to secure full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people and their families. A significant portion of the proceeds also funds organizations serving the LGBTQ community in South Florida. This year, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s total contributions to South Florida organizations will surpass the $2 million mark. This year’s award gala is being co-chaired by Charlie Million and Josue Santiago.
–30–
CONTACT:
Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org
