May 17, 2012

LIVE From The Ninth Annual Respect Awards – New York

Tonight GLSEN honors student leaders, educators and corporate partners, who, every day, show an unrelenting commitment to creating communities fostered by mutual respect and safety for all; where each and every student is valued and provided the same fundamental tools for success in grades K-12 and throughout their lives.

I just finished rehearsing with our student presenters, and I have to tell you, they are beside themselves with excitement about sharing the stage with some of tonight’s special guests, with an extra special interest in meeting Born This Way Foundation President & Co-founder, Cynthia Germanotta (Lady Gaga’s mom).

We know that many of you won’t be able to attend the Respect Awards this evening so we wanted to bring a little bit of the show to you, in real time.  Join us on Facebook and Twitter, hashtag #RespectNY, for videos and pictures of attendees starting at 7:30 p.m. eastern time. Just because you can’t be here doesn’t mean you can’t bid on our impressive auction items, including tours of the hottest shows on television, a chance to be an honorary coach for the New York Liberty and meet White Collar star, Matt Bomer!

I’ve just been told that the students are asking to run their lines one more time so I need to head backstage. – Gotta love it!

While we take care of the last of the programmatic items, take a peek at these behind-the-scene photos from Gotham Hall taken from rehearsal earlier today, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter tonight.

It’s going to be a great show.  I hope you will join us!

   

About Elizabeth Free

       

Elizabeth Free is the communications manager at GLSEN--the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. Elizabeth joined GLSEN in 2009 to make schools safer for all students and says one of the best parts of her job is working with GLSEN's Student Ambassadors. She is originally from Texas and has a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising from the University of Houston.