A diverse and inspirational mix of 27 people and organisations have been announced as finalists for the 2013 Honour Awards.
Now in their seventh year, the Honour Awards are an annual event which recognise outstanding achievements within or contributions to NSW's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community. The awards are also a gala fundraising event for LGBTI charity Aurora and for ACON, one of NSW's leading HIV and LGBTI health organisations.
The 27 finalists were selected from over 110 nominations received across six categories covering the business, health, education, community, legal, political, media and cultural sectors.
The winners will be presented with a range of gifts and prizes at a gala ceremony and cocktail party at The Ivy in Sydney on Thursday 19 September.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the judges were impressed with the quality and variety of nominations. "The judging panel noted that selecting the finalists was a difficult process because the achievements and contributions of all the nominees were remarkable in their own way," Mr Parkhill says.
"However, the judges agreed that the finalists they selected exhibited a truly outstanding commitment to supporting the LGBTI community and deserved to be recognised for their efforts.
"I congratulate all the finalists and look forward to them and other members of our community coming together to celebrate their achievements at the Honour awards ceremony at the Ivy on 19 September."
The finalists will join a host of government, media, entertainment and community personalities for an inspirational night full of fun and festivity.
Guests will also be able to bid on a range of amazing silent auction items including: a luxury holiday for two to South Africa; luxury accommodation in India and Byron Bay; diamond jewellery; art; furniture; and 5-star dining, accommodation and entertainment packages.