Part 2 of 4
By Bob Kecskemety
This Dolphin Democrats will be holding its annual Dolphin Democrat’s Award Reception on Sunday, October 23 at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way in Dania Beach near Griffin Road and I-95. The evening will include a VIP Reception and/or cocktail reception in the main lobby from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., dining and awards presentation from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 7:45 p.m. The Dolphin Democratic Club is Florida’s oldest and largest LGBT political organization.
The annual Dolphin Democrats’ Awards Reception is the premier event that recognizes outstanding leaders who have demonstrated their strength to lead and a vision to improve the lives of the LGBT community and all deserving citizens. Honoring these special members of the community celebrates the accomplishments and strengths and hope for the future.
This week we will look at some of the women who will be honored at the awards presentation.
The Jamie Bloodworth Leadership Award is the most prestigious of the awards presented, according to Michael Albetta, former president of the Dolphins. In fact, the only award that is outlined in the organization’s bylaws which states that the Jamie Bloodworth Leadership Award may be awarded by the Board of Directors to any self-identifying female who has shown excellent leadership and/or sponsorship in improving community relationship in the LGBT communit-at-large. The purpose is to memorialize the life and accomplishments of Jamie Bloodworth in relation to Broward County human-rights issues.
Recipients this year will be Jennifer Morales and Laurie Whittaker of Sidelines Sports Bar who, according to Albetta, have been instrumental in the Dolphin’s Get Out the Vote Campaigns.
The Trailblazer Award will be presented to Patricia Windowmaker, the Sworn Legal Counsel to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
The Trailblazer Award goes to the person who has gone above and beyond outside their normal box. According to Albetta, Windowmaker has been instrumental in the hiring of transgendered individuals at BSO, which currently employes several transgendered staff.
The weekend of the Awards Reception, Windowmaker will be in Massachusetts getting legally married to Broward Judge Lisa Porter, but Windowmaker will be returning for that evening to accept her award.
The Political Alliance Award will be presented to Anne Sallee, Vice Mayor of Oakland Park, and also a member of the Dolphins. Sallee is being presented the award for her hard work in the Dolphin’s Get Out the Vote Campaign by setting up the tent each month on the first Saturday of each month at the Pride Center’s Flea Market.
Sallee moved to Oakland Park in 2003 and became a neighborhood director in 2005. She has been a member of the Dolphins since 2007.
“I’m proud to be part of the greater community,” said Sallee. “I grew up in a household that believed that everybody should be accepted for who they are and that nothing else should matter. Everyone has the right to enjoy their lifestyle as long as it doesn’t impose on another person’s rights. I appreciate the friendships I’ve made and the involvement that I’ve had, and I look forward to it for a long time.”
This year’s Humanitarian Award will be going to Maroone/AutoNation for their various work and sponsorships of organizations and events in the LGBT community. Accepting the award will be Gale M. Butler, Corporate Vice President of Maroone/AutoNation.
Albetta said that Maroone/AutoNation, along with Butler, has been active in various LGBT pride events in the tri-county area, the Pride Center’s “Stars of the Rainbow,” and Women in Network (WIN) by sponsoring its golf tournament that raises money for cancer awareness. Maroone/AutoNation are also major sponsors of the International Gay Rodeo, the SMART Ride, Broward House, and the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
“We’re very proud of the fact that we’re being honored,” said Butler. “We’ve always been supportive of the gay community and are most appreciative of this honor. We’ve been long-time supporters of AIDS causes since we first came into existence about fifteen years ago. We’re involved in the Community Foundation, which took on the cause of AIDS when nobody else would. I think it’s a good thing and important thing for a big company to do.”
Tickets for the Dolphin Democrats’ Awards Reception can be purchased online at their website, www.DolphinDems.org. Individual tickets are $75, which includes the reception, dinner, awards presentation and silent auction. VIP tickets at $150 per person also includes the VIP reception.
For additional information, either visit their website or you may call 866-478-8262. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available.
In next week’s Florida Agenda, we will interview more recipients of the annual Dolphin Democrat’s Awards Reception.
