2016 Stonewall Vision Awards

Photo: Above from left: Stonewall Foundation executive director Jarrett Lucas, transgender advocate Marizol Leyva, journalist Ronan Farrow, and model Geena Rocero at the 2016 Stonewall Vision Awards.

Last night in New York, the Stonewall Community Foundation, the only public foundation for New York City's LGBTQ community, awarded its 2016 Vision Awards to Ronan Farrow, Selenis & Marizol Leyva and Levi Strauss & Co., and also recognized grantee partner The Ackerman Institute's Gender and Family Project.

While Orange Is the New Black star Selenis Leyva could not attend due to filming constraints, her sister Marizol, who is a transgender woman, spoke movingly of her coming out and difficulties trans women face in employment, at the dinner and fundraising event held at the Tribeca Rooftop. Selenis offered her thanks and words of support in this video.

Stonewall Community Foundation also honored Ronan Farrow for using his groundbreaking work as a news anchor and investigative reporter to bring attention to stories of trans people, setting a gold standard of how to do so thoughtfully and with respect; Levi Strauss & Co. for being a global leader in HIV/AIDS advocacy and philanthropy, fair LGBTQ employment practices and workplace rights, and progressive social investment; and The Ackerman Institute's Gender and Family Project, for their unique, innovative work to cultivate acceptance and safety for gender expansive children and their families, through training, education, and clinical services.

The Vision Awards honor the work of extraordinary individuals and groups that use their voice, position, or talent to improve and enrich the lives of LGBTQ people. This has included such greats as Lee Daniels, Cyndi Lauper, Janet Mock, and Tony Kushner.

"We are proud to recognize the leadership of people who continually drive progress in the LGBTQ movement," stated Jarrett Lucas, Executive Director, Stonewall Community Foundation. "Each of this year's honorees exemplifies Stonewall Community Foundation's core values: generosity, bold leadership, and concern for the most vulnerable. They use their platform to challenge stigmas with integrity and to make a significant difference in LGBTQ people's lives."

Throughout the years, Stonewall Community Foundation has strategically invested more than $18 million in over 600 nonprofits in New York City and beyond. The work of Stonewall Community Foundation has touched hundreds of thousands of lives through grant and scholarship programs--from asylum seekers trying to access social services to homeless youth wanting to pursue higher education and find stable housing.

For more information about Stonewall Community Foundation and the Vision Awards, please visit StonewallFoundation.org.