MIDGe CoStanza
friend of the year
San Diego lGBt Pride enthusiastically honors Midge Costanza as its 2009 Friend
of the year for her longtime activism in GlBt rights, a quest that began while serv-
ing as assistant to President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Costanza was the first woman in U.S. history appointed to the position, from
which she advised the president on a number of social issues that included civil
and human rights. During her tenure, she continued making history by holding
the first meeting at the white House concerning the plight of gays and lesbians in
matters of immigration, naturalization and overall discrimination. the meeting, Sally Hall
attended by various activists, helped open the discussion of gay rights among Spirit of Stonewall Community ServiCe award
elected officials at a time when the topic rarely entered the halls of high-level Since starting her own business more than a decade ago, Sally M. Hall has
government. a year later, when conservative legislator John Briggs introduced raised $16,000 for a variety of social and political causes of vital importance to
Proposition 6 to California voters (a failed initiative that would have banned gays San Diego’s lGBt community.
and lesbians from teaching in public schools), Costanza jumped into the political Before moving to San Diego in 2003 and immediately becoming involved
fire by publicly denouncing the amendment at rallies in los angeles. In her con- in the local community, she lived in Colorado Springs where she was awarded
tinued effort in calling for GlBt rights, she served four years on the board for the ally of the year 2002 by Pike’s Peak Gay and lesbian Community Center and was
national Gay Rights advocates, speaking sometimes alongside Harvey Milk and honored as grand marshal for the Colorado Springs Pride Fest 2003.
other notable activists of that period. Costanza also became quickly involved with a few friends, Hall created lucky ladies California Hold em Fundraising
in raising money for patient care and medical studies at the onset of the aIDS benefiting a variety of local organizations including Marriage equality, aIDS
epidemic, working with such organizations as aIDS Project los angeles and the lifecycle 7, the toni atkins Health Care Fund and the Gay Softball league. Most
Men’s Health Forum in new york City. In just over a decade, she generated several recently, she spearheaded fundraisers for the Special olympics, SnaP (Spay
million dollars for aIDS causes. “I had lost many friends to aIDS. It was one of the neuter action Project), Diversionary theater, San Diego Pride, MS walk, and HRC.
worst periods of gay history,” she recalls. “But as a historian who has participated Information on her organized fundraisers is available at http://games.groups.
in many different movements, the gay rights movement appears to have been yahoo.com/group/luckyladiesofPoker/ . an expert in managing investment
the most successful,” she adds, citing the emergence of same-sex marriage on the assets and individual portfolios, Hall shares her expertise with the community
political table. a resident of Hillcrest, Costanza currently serves as public affairs of- through a column in lavender lens, called this is Reality. She is also the editor of
ficer for the office of the San Diego District attorney. She has participated in every azalea Park’s FlaSH e-newsletter and active with the San Diego Human Dignity
San Diego Pride parade since moving here in 1992, and has received numerous Foundation’s Professional advisor network. In addition, she became an “ambas-
honors from lGBt organizations throughout the U.S. for her tireless activism and sador of Pride” earlier this year through a new sponsorship program that helps
public service. “It’s all about seeking justice and giving people the right to choose raise the visibility of San Diego Pride’s mission in the community while dispersing
their own destinies. that is what has driven me over all these years.” funds to various service organizations and charities.
Stonewall 2.o activism for equality 25
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