ACLU TO RECEIVE LGBT COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD AT PRIDEFEST
Will Announce New Litigation to Challenge Anti-Gay Law in Missouri
St. Louis, June 21, 2002: Shortly after 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, June 23 in Tower Grove Park, the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri will announce its representation of clients in a case aimed at challenging archaic laws that burden gays and lesbians in Missouri.
The announcement will come as the ACLU accepts the 2002 Jim Hoefer Community Service Award from Pride St. Louis for being the organization that "best exemplifies what it means to serve St. Louis' Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Community."
"The ACLU is committed to working for equal treatment for gays and lesbians," said ACLU-EM Executive Director Matt LeMieux. "This includes legal advocacy and litigation to overturn laws that prevent gays and lesbians from being full members of our community."
The ACLU-EM is this year's recipient of the Pride St. Louis Jim Hoefer Community Service Award, which will be presented on the main stage at Pride Fest in Tower Grove Park beginning at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday. In listing the award, Pride St. Louis says that the ACLU's "fight and willingness to go out on a limb for St. Louis' Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trangendered Community is immeasurable."