Wingspan Dinner Draws Crowds and Donations: By Mark R. Kerr

TUCSON (Observer Update) - From a small office on Court Street to its new facilities on 7th Street, Wingspan has been Tucson and Southern Arizona’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community center for 20 years and people from Tucson, Arizona and across the nation came together Saturday to mark the work of this organization.

More than 1,000 people, elected officials, candidates and others, gathered at the Tucson Convention Center Saturday, September 20 for the annual Wingspan Dinner, a fund raising event for the organization which proceeds go for the services and nine programs Wingspan offers.

This year’s theme, marking the twentieth anniversary of Wingspan, was “Looking Back and Moving Forward,” which the program commemorating the successes, mourned the people lost and moved forward on the goal of equality for all people, regardless of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation or national orientation, perceived or otherwise.

A gourmet dinner, silent auction and entertainment throughout the crisp and well staged program was only part of the well-planned festivities, making for a great evening for those in attendance.

At the dinner, Wingspan honors members of the community for their work and at this year’s event, the following people received awards for their achievements.

This year's Annual Benefit Dinner will celebrate Wingspan's 20 years of service to the southern Arizona community. What better way to celebrate the organization’s history than to thank those who have made such tremendous service possible through their contributions of time, energy and expertise.

Godat Award - Noel Matkin. A lifelong servant to the LGBT movement. The Godat Award was created to recognize those who have made outstanding, long-term contributions to Southern Arizona's LGBT community. Receiving more than a modest number of nominations, Noel is hailed as an advocate, leader, mentor and dear friend.

Among Noel's many accomplishments, he was among the first members of the city's LGBT commission. Noel was critical in the successful merger of Tucson AIDS Project (TAP), Shanti, and People with AIDS Coalition of Tucson (PACT) into what is now the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation. He is a Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and Alliance Fund board member, a two-term president of the board of Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN), a leader for Equality Arizona, and a missionary for Wingspan. And all of this is in addition to his tremendous contributions to the University of Arizona as an audiology professor and advocate for equal LGBT benefits in the workplace.

Community Ally Award - Mary Ellen Beaurain, honored for her dedication to LGBT seniors. Recognizing the tremendous need for support for the community's aging LGBT population, Mary Ellen rallied support from the Pima Council on Aging, organized a community-wide survey of LGBT elders, and worked nationally with Rainbow Trainers to implement what is now Wingspan's Senior Programs. "She is a true and loyal ally to our LGBT and elder community," said Frances Coleman. "[The program] might not exist were it not for Mary Ellen’s advocacy, support and hard work."

The Hall Award Winners, which two winners were selected to receive the Hall Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the Southern Arizona LGBT community. One of Wingspan's longer-serving front desk volunteers, Shirley Snow has been a beacon of reliability and dedication for nine years. "Anyone who is lucky enough to be greeted by Shirley on their first visit to Wingspan will not leave disappointed by their experience," said Michael Woodward, Wingspan’s Health and Wellness Programs Manager. Shirley is also a key member of the library committee, helping organize and manage Wingspan’s collection, which is now one of the largest LGBT libraries in the southwest.

Likewise, AngieRose Tilghman is a touchstone for Wingspan. She too has dedicated nine years of service to Wingspan, both at the front desk and as one of the most active Anti-Violence Programs volunteers. Additionally, she has served on a variety of panels, and started the Progressive People of Color Coalition, which she directed for a year.

Jason Cianciotto, Wingspan’s new Executive Director delivered a terrific address, reminding the people in attendance is was because of them that Wingspan is where it is today. (Cianciotto’s speech appears in this week’s Observer).

The emotional high point of the evening was the address by Judy Shepard, the mother of the murdered, openly Gay college student, Matthew Shepard, who told the audience the most important thing for everyone in the LGBT community to do was to “tell their stories” to everyone to help reach the goal of equal rights. “We must talk about how things would affect us,” so that it would have the biggest impact,” Shepard said to an audience, many of whom were in tears.

At the end of the evening, Nick Ray, Development Director said more than $50,000 had been raised through contributions and that more than $85,000 was raised from the silent auction held prior to the dinner, all of which will help Wingspan move forward in its efforts to better the community. For those who could not attend, they can still give to Tucson and Southern Arizona's LGBT Community Center. Make checks payable to Wingspan and mail them to 425 E. 7th St., Tucson, Arizona 85705 or go online to Wingspan's website.