Press Releases

Title: SF Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford, Honored with Keystone Service Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — 07 November 2023
Author: Robyn Adams

SF Pride Executive Director Suzanne Ford, Honored with Keystone Service Award

Ford will be celebrated at the Positive Resource Center’s Mighty Real Gala on Thursday, Nov. 9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO – Nov. 7, 2023. On Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Positive Resource Center (PRC) will celebrate the 2023 Mighty Real Gala, a powerful event dedicated to transformation and honoring remarkable individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s Mighty Real Gala carries a special significance as it pays homage to the legendary “Queen of Disco,” Sylvester, who, in gratitude for the services received from PRC, generously gifted his future music royalties to the organization. In honor of Sylvester’s contributions, PRC has named its signature event after the iconic song, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).”

Suzanne Ford, the Executive Director of San Francisco Pride, has been selected to receive a special honor during this year’s gala. In recognition of her outstanding work in creating a vibrant and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, San Francisco Pride will be presented with the Keystone Service Award. This award is traditionally bestowed upon institutions dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, mental health, and/or substance use issues. The Keystone Award acknowledges the relentless dedication and contributions made by organizations that envision a brighter future and work tirelessly to make it a reality.

“I am deeply moved to receive the Keystone Service Award at the 2023 Mighty Real Gala on behalf of San Francisco Pride,” said Suzanne Ford, Executive Director of SF Pride. “In a time when our rights are under constant attack, this recognition is a reflection of our steadfast commitment to building a more vibrant and inclusive community for all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. We stand together in the spirit of transformation, and we are grateful for the partnership with Positive Resource Center in this journey of hope and unity.”

SF Pride President Nguyen Pham added: “We at SF Pride are deeply honored to receive the Keystone Service Award from PRC. This recognition affirms our tireless commitment to creating inclusive spaces that celebrate and uplift the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a testament that, 53 years into our existence, SF Pride remains dedicated to the people we serve. While we’ve made great strides, we acknowledge that our work is far from finished, and we will continue to march forward with determination, love, and pride.”

The 2023 Mighty Real Gala will be held at the Saint Joseph’s Arts Society, located at 1401 Howard Street in San Francisco. The event will begin at 5:30 pm and continue until 9:30 pm, offering guests an exclusive pre-event VIP reception featuring a series of speakers sharing about the essential programs offered by PRC.

The Mighty Real Gala has historically attracted a diverse audience, including public officials, business executives, and drag divas, who gather to celebrate the spirit of community, transformation, and support for PRC’s life-saving services.

For more information about the 2023 Mighty Real Gala, please visit prcsf.org

About San Francisco Pride

The San Francisco Pride Celebration Committee is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded to produce the SF Pride Celebration and Parade. The mission of the organization is to educate the world on LGBTQ+ issues, as well as commemorate the heritage, celebrate the culture and liberate the people of all LGBTQ+ communities. A world leader in the Pride movement, SF Pride is also a grant-giving organization through its Community Partners Program. Since 1997, SF Pride has granted over $3 million dollars in proceeds to local non-profit LGBTQ+ organizations and organizations working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, cancer, homelessness, housing rights and animal welfare.

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