Southern Connecticut State University is being recognized with the Connecticut VOICE Honors 2022 Award for Pride in Education, which is given to an individual or organization that advances education to the LGBTQ community or educates others on how to become an ally.
Connecticut VOICE, the state’s premier magazine dedicated exclusively to the LGBTQ+ community, will present the 2022 Honors Awards at its inaugural Connecticut VOICE Honors Gala on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.
The university is being recognized in part for its creation of the SAGE (Sexual and Gender Equality) Center on campus. The SAGE Center is committed to providing a positive academic, cultural, and social environment where the LGBTQ+ community at Southern can learn, grow, and thrive, and helps to cultivate inclusion through social and educational programming, advocacy, and support.
As part of its work, the SAGE Center has created initiatives for its students such as Ally in Progress, all-gender restrooms, LGBTQ+ online resources, identity resources, Lavender Graduation, and support and peer-led groups, among others.
At the gala on September 17, President Joe Bertolino will accept the award on behalf of the university. Appointed as the university’s 12th president in July 2016, Bertolino has been a social justice educator for 25 years, and is passionate about student success and access to higher education.
Speaking about the Connecticut VOICE Honors 2022 Awards, James Tully, owner of Connecticut VOICE magazine, said, “We chose these individuals, and organizations because they are leaders in supporting the LGBTQ+ community here in Connecticut. These individuals embody what it means to be inclusive helping establish Connecticut as a leader in the United States and one of the most positive and affirming places to live and work for the amazing and diverse people who identify as LGBTQ+.
The gala celebration will be hosted by two of the most recognizable names in Connecticut media: Chion Wolf of Connecticut Public Radio and Dennis House, broadcast journalist/anchor from WTNH. The evening will include performances by Broadway performer Benjamin Eakley, actor and performer Varla Jean Merman, and comedian Julia Scotti.
ABOUT CONNECTICUT VOICE: CT VOICE, launched in 2019 by Seasons Media, LLC, is the premier quarterly magazine for the LGTBQ+ community in Connecticut. We are committed to growing our multi-media platforms. Since the premier edition of CT Voice, we have launched the award winning CT Voice Out Loud television show airing quarterly on WTNH, as well as our podcast Voice Out Loud. We present a true multimedia experience.
