IF YOU GO WHAT: Human Rights Campaign's Colorado Mile High Gala

WHO: Only to name a few: Congressman Mark Udall will give the Keynote welcome; Special guest Joe Solmonese -- who was appointed President of the Human Right Campaign of the United States and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2005 - will be there. Solmonese also co-hosts "The Agenda," a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themed talk radio program on XM Satellite Radio; Guest performer Frenchie Davis, an American Idol favorite and star of the Broadway plays Rent and Dreamgirls, will perform.

WHEN: This Saturday, April 26.

WHERE: Sheraton Denver Hotel, 1550 Court Place, in Denver.

TICKETS: Tickets for the event may be reserved online at www.milehighgala.org .

Colorado's chapter of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will be hosting the nation's largest event of its kind this Saturday. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community Center organization announced details of their annual Mile High Gala dinner, as it will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Denver with several guest speakers and a musical performance.

In addition, multiple awards will be handed out to try and raise awareness of gay and lesbian civil rights with guests such as the parents of Matthew Shepard and specialized advocates of Equal Rights in Colorado.

Gala officials expect a strong turnout, as the event will be the largest gathering of any gay and lesbian meeting in the country this year. Congressman Mark Udall will be in attendance to give the opening remarks for the keynote welcome.

"We have three different awards each year," Jim Gattu said, the Gala's spokesperson.

One award will go to an organization while the other two are split between the youth and adult communities. The award to the outstanding organization will be given to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, which has advocated for 'erasing hate' through education and awareness. The foundation was created by Matthew's family, Judy, Logan and Dennis Shepard in honor of the death of their 21-year old son nearly ten years ago.

The outstanding youth award will be given this year to Jason Marquez, a leader among the gay and lesbian community who has volunteered for the GLBT and shown his strength by supporting others. For the third straight year, the Center is recognizing a young person (under the age of 23) for their leadership and personal strength to overcome hardships in everyday life.

The third honor will be given on behalf of the Paul Hunter Award, recognizing outstanding excellence in working on behalf of social justice and within the GLBT Community Center. Patrick Steadman will receive this year's award, a Denver attorney who has been involved with statewide election issues since 1992. Steadman has worked on issues from local government, healthcare and education to civil rights in Colorado. Steadman has spoke at numerous public venues and serves on the Denver Women's and GLBT commissions.

The evening will be a good time to come together and help raise awareness among not only Denver's community, but also Colorado as a whole and be the benchmark for other state's HRC gatherings.

Gattu said the gala is looking forward to the performance of American Idol and Broadway musical star and Frenchie Davis to headline the event and energize the crowd, for what should be a memorable evening in Denver. He also said this is the 17th straight year Colorado has hosted the event -- with each one growing in size and recognition.

According to its website, the HRC is the "America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality." Together they try and seek an end to discrimination of all GLBT citizens and equality among all. By advocating for fairness among all people regardless of sexual orientation, the HRC has over 600,000 members across the country lobbying and working towards social justice not only on the government level, but also in everyday life and the way in which the GLBT community is treated.

The event on Saturday is open to the public and tickets can be purchased by visiting the Gala's website, milehighgala.org.

Contact Ryan Hatch about this story at (303) 443-6272 ext. 113 or features@coloradodaily.com.