COLAGE extends a heartfelt thank you to all of our supporters, friends, family, sponsors, and everyone who has been a part of COLAGE for the past 20 years. Having so many of us together for our 20th Anniversary Party made this historic moment such a wonderful success.
The event was sold-out with 250 attendees from California and beyond! We began the evening with a reception with our Honorees in the Penthouse of our building, overlooking the city of San Francisco. There, Senator Mark Leno’s representative gave each of our honorees a proclamation for their achievements.
Throughout the night we heard from many people how life-changing the COLAGE community has been for them. Marina Gatto, a COLAGEr who we awarded for her activism said:
At 8 years old I became a member of COLAGE and through COLAGE I not only found friendship with other kids who had families like mine, but just as importantly, I found my voice. And I was given the opportunity to speak out on behalf of children with LGBT parents making change politically and socially. COLAGE made a huge difference in my life, and in turn I made a huge difference in society on behalf of the LGBT community.
Our Emcee, Comedienne Diane Amos kept the crowd laughing, entertained, and inspired with her own personal story of growing up with a lesbian mom. We were delighted that two of COLAGE’s original founders – Hope Manley, Ali Nickel-Dubin came to San Francisco to celebrate with us. Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, had a special surprise visit from her daughter Emily who flew in from Utah! Emily has been a longtime COLAGE supporter and volunteer. She surprised Kate a second time when she presented her award on behalf of COLAGE. Kate was moved to make a generous donation to COLAGE and encourage the crowd to do the same!
Stefan Strassfeld, COLAGE’s first Executive Director, presented and award to The Honorable James C. Hormel, the first openly gay U.S. Ambassador. Hormel talked about the many struggles our community has faced, overcome, and made a point to name ageism as one issue our community continues to confront.
We also had three COLAGE Executive Directors in attendance, Felicia Park-Rogers, Stefan Strassfeld, and of course our current leader Beth Teper.
During the program we debuted our new short-film Family Time directed by Jen Gilomen with the help of COLAGE intern Chiah Connolly-Ingram. Look for the film and timeline which chronicles 20 years of the LGBTQ family movement to be available on our website soon!
Local woodwind quintet, Zaptet performed a nice medley prior to the program, and DJ Chris Fox followed up with a sprightly mix of tunes.
Congrats to everyone who won a silent auction item. We featured travel packages, gift baskets, and much more!
The event was a fabulous success, and it’s not too late to help us meet our goal for our 20th Anniversary Year! Click here to make a donation to COLAGE.
To all of you who support COLAGE – Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
Enjoy more photos at facebook.com/colage, and photos by Moanaloa Jeffrey.
Press Coverage: Bay Area Times, SF Examiner
Birthday Wish – $10,000 +
Nikki Mannes Consulting
Have Cake & Eat it Too – $5,000 +
Grace Street Catering
Birthday Serenade – $2,500 +
James C. Hormel & Michael P. Nguyen
Light the Candles – $1,000 +
Moanalani Jeffrey
Kate O’Hanlan, MD & Léonie Walker
Icing & Sprinkles – $500 +
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
California Teachers Association
Hiball Energy
Andrea Wachter
Zaptet
Cupcake – $250 +
Al Baum * Adam Berman & Alex Scotta
Susan Berston & Patty Stanton
Brian & Jennie Brick * Cups & Cakes Bakery
Sarah Farley & Betty Tisel * Meredith Fenton & Ainsley Hill
Fox Sounds * James Franklin & Stefan Ripich
Gay-Straight Alliance Network * Got Light
Gary Knoblock * Senator Mark Leno
Joanne Lockhart * Marriage Equality USA
Eric Maxey/Envisage Photography * Mom’s the Word
Paula Morris & Cory Pohley
Dan Neumann & David Richardson
On The Rocks * Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
Felicia Park-Rogers & Rachel Timoner
PFLAG San Francisco
James, Warren, & Cristopher Redman-Gress
Rockwood Leadership Institute
Nikki Sachs * Maureen & Jane Sedonaen
Oren Slozberg & Irwin Keller
The Sperm Bank of CA * Transgender Law Center
The Vibrant Group – Kevin Wakelin * Zuna Institute
Thank You To Our Community Partners!
Castro Dads * CUAV * BAYCAT
Equality California * Frameline * GroundSpark
In the Life * LYRIC * National Center for Lesbian Rights
Our Family Coalition * Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
San Francisco LGBT Community Center * Transgender Law Center
Thank You To Our Hosts!
Rabbi Camille Angel * Clare Albanese & Amy J. Errett
Assemblymember Tom Ammiano * Supervisor Bevan Dufty
Jamison & Heidi Green * Staci Haines * Senator Christine Kehoe
Shannon Minter, esq. * Leslea Newman * Charlie Spiegel
Susan Stryker * Kevin Wakelin
