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IU GLBT Alumni Association to host annual celebration weekend

• Jan. 21, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The eighth annual Indiana University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Association Celebration weekend takes place Jan. 29 to 31 and will once again coincide with the Bloomington PRIDE Film Festival.

“This is a wonderful celebration of spirit, pride and fellowship,” said J T. Forbes, CEO of the IU Alumni Association. "The GLBTAA has put together a festive and memorable experience for all alumni. I hope many will come and join us for this weekend.”

In addition to the festival, this year’s event will feature a social Jan. 29 at the IU Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center and a reception Jan. 30 at Grazie Italian Eatery. Everyone is also welcome to attend the GLBTAA annual board meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 30 at the Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St.

The GLBTAA will also honor Michael T. McRaith as the 2016 GLBTAA Distinguished Alumni Award winner and Gregory Carter as the GLBT Student Support Services Center Spirit Award.

McRaith received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and psychology from IU in 1986. After practicing commercial litigation in Chicago for 15 years, he became the director of the Illinois Department of Insurance, where he led the charge for extended consumer protections and parity. Since his appointment in 2011, he has served as the inaugural director of the Federal Insurance Office. McRaith also served nearly a decade on the board of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and was recently designated director emeritus.

Carter, a clinical assistant professor in the IU School of Nursing, received his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from IU Bloomington in 2011 and his Master of Science degree in nursing in 2013 from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. As an educator, Carter has led his students to become advocates for their patients, particularly those of a marginalized group, and to demonstrate respectful and compassionate environments for them. 

Both will receive their honors during Friday’s social.  

“I'm always grateful to see the number of alumni and friends from across the nation who join us for this special weekend in Bloomington," said Steve Bretthauer, president of the GLBT Alumni Association. "It's a wonderful opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, share stories and see what the IU Alumni Association is doing. This year, we are honored to award this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award to an outstanding individual, and we look forward to seeing everyone and celebrating the tremendous support of the IU GLBTAA, Indiana University and the LGBT community.”

Weekend events range in price from free to $20. Purchase tickets or register for events online or by contacting alumni relations officer Clarence Boone at boonec@indiana.edu or 800-824-3044. 

The GLBT Alumni Association is an affiliate group of the IU Alumni Association. The IU Alumni Association is dedicated to bringing IU alumni, students and friends together to serve one another and IU. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, with more than 600,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, nonmember alumni and the university.