NEW YORK –The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – and the HRC Greater New York Steering Committee are proud to announce Whoopi Goldberg will receive the 2013 HRC Ally for Equality Award at the annual Greater New York Gala dinner on February 2, 2012 at the Waldorf Astoria.    

“We are proud to honor Whoopi Goldberg with the Ally for Equality Award for her commitment to the LGBT community through her public support of marriage equality, including taking part in our successful New Yorkers for Marriage Equality video campaign in 2011,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “Whoopi is always willing to stand up for our community and is a longtime friend of HRC.”

The Ally for Equality award is given to allies outside the LGBT community who stand up on behalf of equality for all Americans. An outspoken advocate for equality worldwide, Whoopi has used her platform as one of the entertainment industry’s most vocal women to stamp out hate and advance equality.  Whoopi has publicly called marriage equality a ‘no-brainer,’ and has made the case for equality in her role on ABC’s The View.   

For more information or to purchase tickets to HRC’s Greater New York Gala Dinner please visit www.hrc.org/greaterny/dinner.

Media Credentialing: Media pre-registration is required and space is limited. All media must be pre-registered and approved for a credential.  To request credentials for the dinner, please contact Paul Guequierre at paul.guequierre@hrc.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.