310.880.8563

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EQUALITY
ARMENIA ANNOUNCES THE REC

P

NTS OF ITS

2018
LEADERSHIP AWARD, 

COUNCIL MEMBERS JOHN DURAN, MITCH O’FARRELL AND ZAREH
SINANYAN

For
Immediate Release: (Los Angeles, CA) – Equality Armenia (EqAr) announces the recipients of its 2018 Leadership Award, West Hollywood Council
Member and Mayor Pro Tempore John Duran,
Los Angeles Council Member Mitch
O’Farrell and Glendale Council Member Zareh
Sinanyan.

Over forty (40) elected
officials and dignitaries were among over one-hundred (100) guests on Thursday
night to honor three outstanding public servants for their exceptional
leadership and commitment to LGBTQ rights. The two-hour red-carpet event included
a one-hour meet & greet cocktail reception, followed by the awards
presentation. The guest list included politicians, heads of organizations,
community leaders, activists, members of the press and stakeholders from the throughout
greater Los Angeles area.

“For the first time, this
unprecedented and historic event assembled the crème de la crème of greater Los
Angeles’ movers and shakers for the next chapter in the fight for LGBTQ rights,
human rights and equality for all, not just in our own community but throughout
the world” Said Vic Gerami, an
Equality Armenia board member.

The Mayor of Glendale, Vartan Gharpetian, was on hand to
deliver a heartfelt speech and honor his colleagues. Just a few elected
officials and dignitaries present were LA County Assessor, Jeffrey Prang, Glendale Council Members Paula Devine and Ara
Najarian and Armenian National
Committee of America, Chair, Glendale Chapter, Artin Manoukian.

Council Member John Duran said, “Equality Armenia’s
work is incredibly important given the cultural conservatism found in the
Armenian community.  They will not only
empower LGBT Armenians here in Los Angeles but will also diminish homophobia
back in Armenia.”

"Everyone, everywhere, deserves full
equality and the freedom to live their life authentically,” said Council Member
Mitch O'Farrell, who represents the
13th Council District in the City of Los Angeles. "I want to thank the
Board of Equality Armenia for raising awareness about the need to continue
pushing for LGBTQ rights here and in every community." 

Council Member Zareh Sinanyan Said, "I am so
humbled to receive this recognition by a group that is working very hard to
ensure that LGBTQ individuals are treated with nothing but respect, dignity and
equal rights just like every other human being. Members of the LGBTQ community
are our brothers and sisters sons and daughters and their rights are human
rights. I stand with them and I'm honored to be recognized by Equality Armenia,
“he added, “thank you to all the organizers and all those who contributed to
the event. It was just a great honor to have it in Glendale.”

Leadership
Council is a
forum acknowledging the leadership and achievements of local public officials
in matters concerning the LGBTQ community. The reception offers stakeholders,
community leaders and activists the opportunity to network with each other and
meet cohorts from various communities and organizations.

EqAr
is a nonprofit organization with a mission to achieve marriage equality in Armenia.

www.equalityarmenia.org |
facebook.com/equalityarmenia | @equalityarmenia

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