U N I T Y

About the Event:

The overwhelming worldwide support for the LGBT community after the Orlando tragedy inspired us to choose UNITY as the theme for The LOFT's Annual Gala 2016. UNITY is also befitting our awards recipients this year as each has given so much to bring our community and supporters together.

The Edie Windsor & Thea Spyer Equality Award, presented by Edie Windsor

Congresswoman Nita Lowey(D. U.S. House of Representatives, NY 17th District)

Congresswoman Lowey is one of the LGBT community's staunchest advocates.  She holds a 100% Human Rights Commission Congressional Scorecard rating for continuously voting in favor of LGBT rights. Congresswoman Lowey is always front and center, outspoken and present for our community on the national level and locally in her district.  She keeps in touch with us at The LOFT, checking in during both good and bad times.  Her support for our community and The LOFT's mission to advocate, educate, and celebrate is strong and unwavering.  Congresswoman Nita Lowey is more than a supportive politician; she is also the community's very dear friend.

The LOFT Ally Award

Barry Kramer, Owner/Principal Broker, Westchester Choice Realty

Barry Kramer's history with The LOFT and as a supporter of the LGBT community has very deep roots.  He was among the first members of The LOFT back in our organization's early days when we were renting loft space in downtown White Plains.  Barry's involvement with both LGBT causes and human rights is extensive.  For NYSAR, The New York State Association of Realtors, he served as Chairman of the Fair Housing and Cultural Diversity Committee and is currently on the Legislative Steering Committee.  He is the past Commissioner and Chairman of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, and he is a member of NAGLREP, the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals.  Barry has a deep-seated commitment to community and has continuously supported The LOFT.  This evening’s award is just one of a number of awards Barry has received, the most recent one being the 2015 Champion of Fair Housing Award given to him by Westchester Residential Opportunities.  Barry owns Westchester Choice Realty with his husband John Crittenden.  The couple celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary this year, having tied the knot in September 2011 after the New York State Legislature signed into law the Marriage Equality Act on June 24th of that year.

The TD Bank Business Ally Award

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York

Regeneron is a committed corporate supporter of The LOFT.  The company is a sponsor of various LOFT events and is a significant financial donor to our organization.  We also have Regeneron to thank for how well-run and organized our events are.  You may not notice them because of how well they do what they do, but a pool of dedicated Regeneron volunteers is present at LOFT events helping make everything happen as planned.