The National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) announces that nominations are open for their 2018 recognition awards for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other (LGBTQ+) professionals in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Nominations remain open through October 31, 2017, and the awards will be presented in early spring 2018.

The recognition awards honor, identify and document the contributions of outstanding LGBTQ+ STEM professionals. Previous award recipients include research scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, and others from academic, government, nonprofit and commercial backgrounds.

The 2018 awards will recognize an LGBTQ+ Educator of the Year, LGBTQ+ Engineer of the Year and LGBTQ+ Scientist of the Year. The organization also annually recognizes the outstanding contributions of one its members through its Walt Westman Award, named after a NOGLSTP founder. Nominees and awardees have made outstanding contributions to their fields and serve as role models to future generations of STEM professionals.

Award and nomination details are available at http://www.noglstp.org/programs- projects/recognition-awards/. For more information about the awards, contact the recognition awards Chair T.J. Ronningen, at tj.ronningen@NOGLSTP.org. For more information about the organization, contact Chair Rochelle Diamond at chair@NOGLSTP.org.

About NOGLSTP
NOGLSTP was established in 1980, incorporated in the state of California in 1991, and granted IRS 501 (c) 3 nonprofit status in 1992. NOGLSTP is a professional society that educates and advocates for LGBTQ people in STEM. It presents educational symposia and workshops nationwide and fosters dialog with other professional societies, academia and industry to facilitate diversity and inclusion in the workplace. NOGLSTP is an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a participating professional society member of MentorNet®, a sustaining member of the National Postdoctoral Association, a member of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute Presidential Advisory Project’s Coalition, a partner with the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, and a founding member of the E-Week Diversity Council. For more information, visit www.noglstp.org or contact scholarships@noglstp.org.

The Fully-Supported One-Day Ride Supports ASF’s Important Work in the Community
AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) - a nonprofit AIDS service organization that has helped more than 7,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in Orange County since 1985—is excited to announce it will be hosting its 8th annual OC Ride for AIDS (OCRA) on Saturday, October 28.

“More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV today, and 1 in 7 of them don’t know it– we need to continue reaching people in Orange County and empowering them to make good decisions regarding the risks of HIV,” said ASF CEO and Executive Director Philip Yaeger. “OCRA is one of ASF’s largest fundraising events; I’m not only looking forward to the beautiful ride, but also to raising funds to help end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Orange County. I encourage everyone to join us, and ride for a reason!”

A fully supported one-day ride (not a race) through some of Orange County’s most breathtaking scenery, OCRA offers Century (100 miles), Metric Century (62 miles) and Taste of OCRA (30 miles) rides starting in Irvine at Bill Barber Memorial Park. The route travels through the hills and towns of South OC with amazing stretches along the ocean and open spaces.

OCRA riders are required to raise a minimum of $125, which includes a $50 registration fee. All money raised goes directly to support the important work of ASF Orange County. Every mile and every dollar counts. For more information on OCRA, to register for the ride, or to make a donation, visit the OCRA event page here.

For more information on ASF, visit http://www.ocasf.org/. AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) is a nonprofit AIDS service organization that has helped more than 7,000 people living with HIV disease in Orange County since 1985. ASF serves the local community impacted by HIV and AIDS by providing food, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, counseling, education and preventative services. You can learn more about the organization by visiting www.ocasf.org.