The New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) hosted their annual Courage Awards this past Monday, November 8 at the Gotham Hall on Broadway near Herald Square. WABC weatherman Sam Champion and comedian Frank DeCaro, who recently joined Sirius Satellite Radio, hosted an evening that honored New York City Police Officer Sally Osborne, a domestic violence specialist; George C. Wolfe, the gay Tony Award-winning producer of the Public Theater, who, among many achievements, first brought Tony Kushner’s “Angels In America” to the stage; San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who authorized nearly 4,000 same-sex marriages in California before state courts intervened; Bravo TV; and the law firm Orrick, Harrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. Wolfe was given his award by his good friend Lea DeLaria, right, the comedienne and singer who is a past Courage Award winner. The year DeLaria was honored, Wolfe presented the award to her. Osborne, above left, received her award from Victoria Cruz, an AVP staffer.
More than 500 people attended Monday evening’s event, raising $300,000 for AVP’s anti-violence advocacy and social services for the LGBT and HIV communities. The dinner was the group’s most successful fund-raiser in its 24-year history.
AVP runs an English- and Spanish-speaking hotline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 212-714-1141.