Menino

Gala will Honor late Mayor Thomas M. Menino with Award in his Name, Celebrity Cruises Joins as Major Sponsor

Boston Pride announced today that it will host its first ever gala to kick off this year’s Pride Week on Friday, June 5th. This year’s Pride Week will celebrate the advocacy organization’s 45th Anniversary with the theme #WickedProud. The gala will celebrate Boston Pride’s contributions to the LGBT community and also honor the legacy of the late Mayor Menino by presenting the inaugural Thomas M. Menino Pride Award to Harry Collings.

The Thomas M. Menino Pride Award will honor Collings for his commitment to the visibility of and advocacy for the LGBT community in Greater Boston and beyond. Collings is a local leader in the LGBT community and spent more than 30 years at the Boston Redevelopment Authority while also supporting causes including PFLAG, AIDS Action and Fenway Community Health Center.

“Harry Collings is truly a champion of the LGBT community who embodies the spirit of Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the award we are giving in his name,” said Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride. “Harry has always been there for us, and like the late Mayor, has been an unwavering supporter of Boston Pride and the LGBT community throughout the years. It is our honor to present him with this well-deserved recognition.”

The gala will be held at the Courtyard Boston Downtown hotel, 275 Tremont Street, Boston beginning with a VIP cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7 p.m.

The gala is generously supported by modern luxury vacation brand Celebrity Cruises, known for its award-winning cuisine, highly personalized service, stunning outdoor spaces, and unique entertainment.

“Celebrity Cruises is honored to be the presenting sponsor for the 2015 Boston Pride Gala,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity was recently honored with six Meet Me Onboard Cruzie Awards for providing an outstanding vacation experience. We are so proud to have been recognized in that way by the LGBT community, and we look forward to creating even deeper connections with the community through our 2015 partnership with Boston Pride.”

To purchase tickets to the gala visit www.bostonpride.org/gala  Information on Boston Pride’s 2015 Pride Week can be found at www.bostonpride.org.

 

For real time news and exclusive updates download the app for your iPhone or Android today!
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @BostonPride

About Boston Pride
Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility and dignity, we educate, communicate and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Kicking off June 5 through June 14, Boston Pride will host ten days of events and activities that bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate diversity. Opening with the Annual Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall, Pride Week 2015 will also include the Boston Pride Gala, Pride Day @ Faneuil Hall, the Pride Diplomatic Reception, the Human Rights Forum, Queeraoke, Pride Night @ Fenway Park, the Boston Pride Festival and Parade, the Pride Youth Dance, the Back Bay Block Party, and the JP Block Party.  The theme of this year’s Pride celebration is “45th Anniversary – #WickedProud.”

About Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises’ 10 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruise tour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.