Haute Event: Hetrick-Martin Institute to Honor Newark Mayor, Macy’s and Ralph Lauren Exec at 25th Annual...

The Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), founded in 1979, is the oldest and largest LGBTQ youth-services organization in the United States. On Thursday, November 10, at Cipriani Wall Street, it will celebrate its 25th annual Emery Awards. The charity soirée will consist of a cocktail, an elegant dinner, followed by the awards presentation, and an after party.

The black tie-optional gala, chaired by Alfredo Paredes, Rob Smith and Andrew Wingrove, serves as a pivotal fundraiser for the organization, which benefits more than 2,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who receive education and support annually. This year’s reception will be hosted by Sam Champion (weather anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America) and feature a special performance by Tony-winner (CATS) and Grammy-nominee Betty Buckley.

HMI will bestow a 2011 Emery Award on Newark, New Jersey Mayor, Cory A. Booker, for the landmark progress his administration has made in the acceptance of LGBTQ rights and individuals. O, The Oprah Magazine editor-at-large, Gayle King, will present the award to Booker.

The second Emery Award will be given to Charles Fagan, EVP and chief of staff to Ralph Lauren. The famed, billionaire designer himself will award Fagan his prize. Fagan is being recognized for his significant leadership of numerous initiatives for HMI that the Ralph Lauren Corporation and its employees fervently support.  Under Fagan’s direction, the Ralph Lauren Corporation established a committee to re-brand HMI’s marketing and communications collateral, launched an adopt-a-school program, provided foundation grants for HIV prevention and education, in addition to supporting numerous events and volunteering activities throughout the year.

Department store giant, Macy’s, will receive the final award (from Kenneth Cole no-less) for its impressive pro-LGBTQ corporate leadership and support of Pride events throughout the USA. Macy’s will be commended for actively seeking out and engaging the LGBTQ community in marketing, strategy, and overall customer health.

Lastly, HMI will also pay special tribute to Fred Goldhaber, the first teacher of the Harvey Milk School.

Interested parties may still purchase tickets for the event online at https://www.hmi.org/emeryawards. Tickets range from $500-$3,000 a head.

The Emery Awards are named after Dr. Emery Hetrick, who founded The Hetrick-Martin Institute with his partner Dr. A. Damien Martin.  The first Emery Awards ceremony was held in 1987 in honor of Dr. Hetrick, who passed away in February of the same year.  The first honorees were youth advocates Richard and Amy Ashworth and activist Irving Cooperberg.  Following honorees have included director Marlon Riggs (1992), photographer Nan Goldin (1994), Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis (1995), former US Attorney General Janet Reno (1999), MTV (2001), former Hetrick-Martin board member Bari Mattes (2003), IBM (2005), Hilary Swank (2006), Scissor Sisters (2007), Mayor Michael Bloomberg (2009), and Arianna Huffington (2010).

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