The executive director of a soup kitchen. A drag queen with a heavy charitable focus. An organization that is marking an anniversary of bringing a GLBT festival to the community. An openly gay mayor of one of Connecticut’s largest cities.

Each year, the New Haven Pride Center’s Dorothy Awards introduces honorees that are incredibly diverse, just like the community to which it belongs. But this year, the event’s ninth, may be the most diverse yet.

The event, hosted once again by Pride Center Founding Member Frank DeMayo, is a black-tie optional gala that includes dinner, dancing, silent auction and, of course, recognition of this year’s honorees. it will take place on Saturday, March 3 starting at 6 p.m.

Being honored this year are:

• Diana Richter, executive director of the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen. The nonprofit is celebrating 25 years of operation this year, with Richter having been at the helm for almost a decade. Richter is incredibly passionate and does a lot for the community at large.
• Pedro Segarra, mayor of Hartford. An openly gay male, he is one of the first to be elected to the top position of a town or city in Connecticut and serves as a role model for others in the community with his leadership.
• Robin Banks, a drag queen portrayed by Shawn Bodey. The New Haven-based entertainer uses entertainment as a way to raise funds for a variety of organizations and causes, and also serves on the board of the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen with Richter.
• Out Film CT, organizers of the Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, which is also celebrating its 25th anniveary this year. The festival was an early entrant into the GLBT film festival arena nationally, was the first in Connecticut, and remains one of the longest running nationally.

This year, the Pride Center is also recognizing 10 state legislators who co-sponsored a bill last year adding protections for gender identity and expression into state law, legally protecting the transgender community. Gov. Dannel Malloy signed the legislation into law in July; Connecticut was the 15th state to grant such protections. The legislators being honored are:

• Senator Beth Bye, District 5 (Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington, West Hartford)
• Senator Steve Cassano, District 4 (Bolton, Glastonbury, Manchester, Marlborough)
• Senator John Fonfara, District 1 (Hartford, Wethersfield)
• Senator Edwin Gomes, District 23 (Bridgeport, Stratford)
• Senator Toni Harp, District 10 (New Haven, West Haven)
• Representative Gary Holder-Winfield, 94th Assembly District (New Haven)
• Senator Martin Looney, District 11 (Hamden, New Haven)
• Representative Geoff Luxenberg, 12th Assembly District (Manchester)
• Representative Joseph Serra, 33rd Assembly District (Middletown)
• Senator Andrea Stillman, District 20 (East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, Waterford)

The event will also see a special performance by the Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut, a 2010 Dorothy Awards recipient and a Diamond Sponsor of this year’s event. Metroline is an Emerald Sponsor. The evening’s music will be provided by Deborah Wang and the Fullsound Band.

This year’s event will take place once again at Fantasia, located at 404 Washington Avenue in North Haven. Tickets are $100 each, but an early bird price of $75 per ticket is a available for those who purchase their tickets before Feb. 1. Additional discounts are available for members of the Pride Center and for students.

For more information about the event or to order tickets, visit www.dorothyawards.com or email dorothyawards@gmail.com.

Tags: 2012, 39-01, FEBRUARY