The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, also referred to as The Center, will host its 22nd annual Honorarium Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 in The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser, the Honorarium will feature a VIP cocktail hour, silent and live auctions where guests can bid on exclusive luxury items and experiences, a culinary spread by the chefs at The Cosmopolitan in addition to bottle-service style lounge seating. And for the first time ever, The Center announces an entertainment component by comedian and 2016 Qmmunity Honoree Margaret Cho.

“This will be my third personal experience at the Honorarium,” says Michael Dimengo, who became CEO of The Center in 2014. “In the past two years, I have been strikingly impressed by the outpouring of support and generosity by people who come together not only to honor our honorees but to support The Center. Each year, The Center depends upon the success of this event to fund its operations and its continued social impact within the LGBTQ and wider Southern Nevada community. Get ready for an outstanding event!”

Bestowing honors upon the local LGBTQ community’s most dedicated and influential leaders, volunteers, allies and financial supporters, The Center announces its 2016 award winners:

· PERSON OF THE YEAR — MATTHEW FRAZIER
Matthew Frazier is a trustee of the John C. Kish Foundation and founder of The Social CirKISH Foundation. With classes held at The Center and other locations throughout the year, the Social CirKISH program promotes physical and social development of under-served youth through the exploration and participation of circus performing arts. Frazier has a BA in history from Brigham Young University followed with a Juris Doctorate from The University of Utah College of Law. His passion for nonprofit work has led him to serve on the boards of UNLV, The Animal Foundation, The College of Southern Nevada, The Public Education Foundation and The President’s Advisory Council for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

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· ALLIES OF THE YEAR — DANIEL AND ROBIN GREENSPUN
Daniel Greenspun is the founder and past chairman of Greenspun Media Group, which publishes a variety of titles including Las Vegas Magazine, Las Vegas Weekly and Vegas Inc. He is also the founder of Vegas.com and LasVegas.com. Currently, he is developing Cityledger.com, a Blockchain advertising business. Robin Greenspun has a long history as an arts advocate, once serving as treasurer for the Kennedy Center President’s Advisory Committee and most recently serving on The President’s Advisory Council of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. She recently received the 2016 Nevada Woman Filmmaker of the Year award from the Nevada Women’s Film Festival. Together, the Greenspuns own the internationally recognized CineVegas Film Festival. The philanthropic arm of their family, Greenspun Family Foundation, supports numerous local organizations and charitable causes such as Three Square, The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, Nathan Adelson Hospice and the Greenspun School of Urban Affairs at UNLV. Within the LGBTQ community, the Greenspuns are involved with the local Human Rights Campaign chapter and actively support The Center.

· CORPORATION OF THE YEAR — COX COMMUNICATIONS
Cox Communications is the nation’s third-largest cable company and leading provider of broadband communications to Las Vegas residents and businesses. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications. Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity 10 times, including the last nine years. Internet technology and cable television at The Center are supplied by Cox, and the provider’s charitable arm, Cox Charities, recently granted The Center $5,000 to use toward arts and culture programming.

· QMMUNITY ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR — MARGARET CHO
Beginning with her early days in Southern California, comedian Margaret Cho has always been the Agent Provocateur of stand up. Never one to shy away from a taboo topic, there are no subjects off limits. Her socially aware, no-holds-barred brand of comedy has made her both a thought leader and a tolerant teacher to those with open minds and open hearts. An accomplished performer in all formats, Cho has conquered the worlds of film, television, books, music and theatre. Having been nominated for three Grammy Awards and one Emmy Award, her comedy tours are a constant sell-out both in the U.S. and abroad. She’s had two shows debut Off-Broadway (“I'm The One That I Want” and “The Sensuous Woman”) and her last stand-up, psyCHO, was filmed at the historic Gramercy Theatre in New York City. With so much success in her artistic life, Cho has never turned away from the causes that are important to her. She is incredibly active in anti-racism, anti-bullying, homeless and gay rights campaigns, and has been recognized for her unwavering dedication over the years with many accolades and awards. From her activism to her music to her stand up, Cho is honest, forthright, passionate, uproarious, raucous, bold and unyielding.

The Honorarium will begin at 5 p.m. in the Brera Ballroom featuring cocktails, culinary stations and a silent auction. At 7 p.m., guests move to luxurious lounge seating inside The Chelsea where the program begins at 7:30 p.m. with guest speakers, video introductions, a rousing live auction and an awards presentation. After the conclusion of the Honorarium program, Cho will perform a stand-up comedy set beginning at 9:30 p.m. with doors opening to the general public at 9 p.m.

Lounge seating and enclaves for parties of 10 or 12, as well as individual tickets, are on sale now at www.thecenterlv.org/honorarium. Early bidding on silent auction items will also be available via the website. All proceeds from the Honorarium will go toward supporting The Center’s programs and services for the LGBTQ, allied and low- to moderate-income populations it serves throughout the following year.