ABC’s Sam Champion to be honored at the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala in Miami

MIAMI-FL, August 8, 2016: The National LGBTQ Task Force is thrilled to announce that Sam Champion will be honored at the 2018 National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami. The annual fundraising event will take place at 6:30 pm on Saturday, October 6, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

Sam Champion is a five-time Emmy and Peabody award winning anchor best-known for his work on Good Morning America, where he became the first morning news anchor to come out publicly. He played a key role reporting live coverage from some of America’s most consequential environmental catastrophes, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and Super Storm Sandy. In addition to being one of the country’s most trusted anchors, Sam is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community. He has raised awareness of HIV prevention, was a recipient of the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award, and he was one of the first openly gay news personalities in the world.

Champion stated that, “The day we announced our engagement on the number one morning show in America, I thought for the next few years, the LGBTQ community would only need visibility to continue moving forward to true equality in this country. Today that’s only partly true. Many people’s rights are being quietly stripped away under the diversion of ‘chaos politics.’ We need to be visible, but also loud, proud, and together. I am proud to be with you at this year’s Gala and everyday moving forward to protect our hard fought rights for future generations.” Today Sam enjoys time with his husband Rubem Robierb while guest hosting frequently on Good Morning America.

“Sam Champion broke ground for many in the news industry when he came out, and we applaud him for his efforts,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force. “We honor his commitment to our community and his work, especially right now when media is continuously unfairly disparaged by our own government. The Task Force supports the press in its important work to report the truth.”

“It’s wonderful to honor Sam Champion, someone who has given so much of himself to support important LGBTQ causes,” said Josue Santiago, Gala Chair. “Miami loves having Sam as one of our own, and we are grateful for his bold leadership in the media and in the LGBTQ community. Sam represents what so many of us aspire to achieve: stellar work, fulfilling life, and giving back.”

The National LGBTQ Task Force looks forward to honoring Champion at this year’s Gala. In May, the National LGBTQ Task Force announced that local South Florida heroes and community leaders Charles Million and Tim Nardi will receive the 2018 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award at the Gala.

Individual tickets to the awards gala are $450 and include an intimate cocktail reception, a gourmet three-course dinner, and the awards ceremony, as well as live music entertainment. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items. Proceeds from the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami 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 is donated to The Miami Foundation’s LGBTQ Community Fund and distributed to multiple organizations serving the LGBTQ community in South Florida.

For sponsorship information and to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.thetaskforcegala.org.

CONTACT:
Alex Morash
Media Director
amorash@thetaskforce.org
774 208-8291