In January of 2005, PRIDE & Equality magazine saw that the youth of the GLBT community were in a constant struggle of acceptance. They wanted to go to school and not feel that the day would begin and end in harassment. The Trevor Project was a great beginning, letting them know that "it gets better", but they needed more. PRIDE & Equality took it a step further with The Vincent R. Johnson Models of Hope award. Models of Hope started with an annual issue in January-February of that year, looking for individuals within the GLBT community that can be seen as strong role models to GLBT youth and the community alike. Recipients of this award will be honored at a dinner and silent auction on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 7:30pm at the Albuquerque Convention Center East Building in Albuquerque, New Mexico with special guest Herman Chan. All silent auction proceeds will go to benefit Common Bond and N'MPower, two very important organizations for youth. The event will close on Saturday, February 18, 2012 with a celebration concert at Effex Nightclub downtown with headliner recording artist Dario.

This is a wonderful opportunity for your company to be represented at the event by:
• Sponsoring in one of the six sponsorship levels;
• Partnering as a media sponsor;
• Nominating an individual or business for next year’s event;
• Donate a item to the silent auction;
• Participating in the event by purchasing tickets to attend the dinner or concert, purchasing a table to promote your business at the dinner, or an ad to be displayed in the VRJ Models of Hope Awards program.

To purchase tickets, an ad in the program or to sponsor the event, please call (505) 255-4502 or visit the links above.