ROSMY to present Catalyst Award to University of Richmond for work creating inclusive environment

The University of Richmond will receive a 2014 Catalyst Award from ROSMY at the organization’s annual fundraiser May 3.

ROSMY’s Catalyst Awards honor people and institutions that work to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Ted Lewis, associate director of the university’s Office of Common Ground, said the award was “the culmination of many years of students, staff, faculty and alumni making positive changes to better support LGBTQ people in our campus community.”

In naming Richmond, ROSMY cited accomplishments at the university, such as the recent Q-Summit: A Southern Queer Youth Gathering and the Campus Pride LGBTQ College Sports Summit, as well as partnerships in the community. “All of these initiatives speak to the university’s leadership in providing empowering experiences for LGBTQ youth,” said ROSMY executive director Beth Panilaitis.

ROSMY was founded in 1991 to ensure equal opportunities for success for Virginia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth through access to support, education and advocacy.

The annual fundraiser, “Springtime: A Magical Evening,” will include a cocktail reception, music by jazz quartet “As If” and a silent auction featuring a variety of items from vacation getaways to one-of-a-kind art created by local and regional artists. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.rosmy.org.

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