dhs pride - june 2013 pride ceremony.docx
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2013
DHS Pride presents Award of Service to Co-Founder of the Military Partners and
Families Coalition
WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pride (DHS Pride)
honored Tracey Hepner, co-founder of the Military Partners and Families Coalition
(MPFC) at a ceremony today and presented her the DHS Pride Award for Service.
Hepner received the award for the tireless work the MPFC does to provide support,
resources, education and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military
partners and their families.
DHS Pride reduces anxiety for LGBT employees by demonstrating it is safe to be exactly
who you are at work, said Hepner. When an employee knows they can approachsupervisors and peers about family or personal concerns and celebrations, it fosters a
healthy workplace culture.
The DHS Pride Award for Service is given for the purpose of recognizing an individuals
notable support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community or significant
achievement in a career field that can be held up as an example of the capabilities of
LGBT personnel. Award recipients are drawn from current and former DHS personnel
and individuals associated with the DHS community.
The DHS-recognized employee association commemorated LGBT Pride Month at the
ceremony honoring DHS personnel who have made headway for LGBT community.Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano and many leaders of DHS agencies
attended the event at U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters
today.
Secretary Napolitano, inaugural Award of Service recipient, spoke at the ceremony and
reinforced her unwavering support of DHS personnel, her intense support of a DHS
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based on unity and inclusion and her support of DHS policies and protections for LGBT
personnel and shared the several accomplishments of DHS in providing LGBT employees
equality and safety in the workplace.
Keynote guest speaker Gautam Raghavan, White House Office of Public Engagement
and LGBT Liaison, spoke about inclusiveness and the landmark efforts the Obamaadministration has made in the last year for the LGBT community.
We are working hard to ensure DHS Pride will become something our members can be
proud of, said DHS Pride President Adam Sulewski. Weve come a long way this past
year, with obtaining our 501(c)(3) determination and our membership growth. This next
year will require the finalization of the foundations of our organization and ensuring
opportunities for socializing and networking for our members nation-wide. We also
need to continue to improve as an informational resource for employee protections and
benefits. DHS Pride is proud to do this work and demonstrate just how much the LGBT
community can contribute to ensuring the safety and security of our country. We are
very honored by the attendance of DHS and DHS component leadership, and look
forward to future engagement with the Department.
In the past year, DHS Pride has achieved 300 members, including representatives from
each of DHSs operational components. It is currently the largest employee association
recognized by the Department. DHS Pride also received a successful 501(c)(3) from the
Internal Revenue Service, and launched a quarterly newsletter.
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DHS Pride, Inc. is a non-stock corporation in the State of Maryland and a 501(c)(3)organization with over 300 members nationwide. Information about DHS Pride and
rights/protections/issues for DHS LGBT personnel can be found atwww.DHSPride.org, or
Twitter @DHS_Pride. To join DHS Pride or receive additional information, the
organization can be reached at:[email protected].
http://www.dhspride.org/http://www.dhspride.org/http://www.dhspride.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.dhspride.org/