The two trailblazing advocates and entertainment icons will be presented their awards during an inspiring, star-studded program to garner support for LGBTQ+ family equality amid rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country.
Los Angeles, CA — Family Equality, the nation’s leading organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families, is thrilled to announce that Bruce Cohen — Oscar and Tony-winning, Emmy-nominated producer of film, television, theater, and live events — and Niecy Nash-Betts — Emmy®, Critics Choice and NAACP Award-winning and Golden Globe®-nominated actress and producer — will be honored at the organization’s annual LA Impact: There’s No Place Like Home, which will be held at Intercontinental Los Angeles on October 14.
“It’s no secret that Bruce Cohen is a visionary,” said Stacey Stevenson, CEO. “But he’s also a long-time friend of Family Equality. For years, his renowned talent has enabled us to present our message and mission with a clear vision, creating an engaging, powerful spring gala program year after year. Under his creative direction, we’ve raised millions of dollars — and, importantly, shared the story of our work, our families, and our movement for LGBTQ+ family equality. His dedication to presenting our community’s stories extends beyond Family Equality’s stage. From Broadway to the big screen, Harvey Milk to Bayard Rustin, Bruce has expertly woven our movement’s history into mainstream media. He’s a passionate leader in the arts, a loving parent, a game-changing producer, and a fearless advocate, and we are delighted to present him with this year’s Murray Reese Family Award.”
“And it is a gift to be able to present our Visibility Award to the one and only Niecy Nash-Betts,” Stacey continued. “A Black queer actress, director, producer, author, wife, and mother, Niecy is unflinching in her advocacy, bold in her queerness, and fearless in her authenticity. A true outspoken changemaker, Niecy brings visibility to families like mine and shows the world that, more than anything, love makes a family. Now more than ever, that platform is essential to changing hearts and minds and preserving our hard-earned freedoms.”
ABOUT OUR HONOREES
Bruce Cohen is an Oscar and Tony-winning, Emmy-nominated producer of film (American Beauty, Big Fish, Milk, Silver Linings Playbook), television (Pushing Daises), theater (Big Fish, The Inheritance, Slave Play) and live events (The 83rd Annual Academy Awards, Broadway at the White House). He is currently serving, along with Lady Gaga, as co-chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. His next feature film, which will be in theaters this fall from Netflix, is RUSTIN, directed by George C. Wolfe and starring Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin. Bruce and Tonia Davis are producing and Barack and Michelle Obama are executive producing.
Cohen is a devoted activist for LGBTQ+ and human rights issues. He served as president of the Board of Directors of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the group behind the successful Supreme Court case to have California’s Proposition 8 declared unconstitutional. He also produces Family Equality’s Night at the Pier and the Democratic National Committee’s LGBTQ Gala, along with live and virtual events for a wide variety of causes and organizations. Bruce is a graduate of Yale University and started his film career as the DGA Trainee on Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple. He lives in New York City with his husband and daughter.
Niecy Nash-Betts is a multi-talented Emmy®, Critics Choice and NAACP Award-winning and Golden Globe®-nominated actress and producer who continues to captivate audiences with her shining talent and infectious energy both in front of and behind the camera. In 2022, Nash-Betts and her “hersband,” singer/songwriter Jessica Betts, made history as the first same-sex couple to appear on the cover of Essence magazine. The cover story received a nomination for a 2023 GLAAD Media Award in the category of “Outstanding Print Article.”
Nash-Betts recently returned as host of FOX’s game show DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS which premiered May 2023.
Nash-Betts released her first book It’s Hard to Fight Naked in 2014, in which she offers a new perspective on dating and relationships.
She resides in LA, where she is devoted to church and participating at charitable functions in support of causes that are close to her heart, including the prevention and awareness of
HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, school violence and domestic abuse, among others. In July 2018, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Nash-Betts with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to celebrate her career. She continues to develop various projects through her production company, Chocolate Chick, Inc.
ABOUT LA IMPACT: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
LA Impact: There’s No Place Like Home will take place at the Intercontinental Los Angeles on Saturday, October 14. With more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in states across the country in 2022, the event offers celebrities, supporters, and community luminaries, the opportunity to come together to support and protect all the LGBTQ+ families across the country defying gravity in the name of LOVE, FAMILY, and FREEDOM.
Past honorees include Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis, Nats Getty and Gigi Gorgeous Getty, Greg Berlanti, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry, Mayor Annise Parker, Johnson & Johnson, Target, and the casts of Glee, Modern Family, and Transparent.
The 2023 LA Impact: There’s No Place Like Home honorary chairs are Dan Bucatinsky and Heather Dubrow. The event is co-chaired by Adair Curtis, Taylor Emerson, Alec Mapa, Alvin McCray, Melissa Peterman, Danny Pintauro, and Sarah Sapola. The event is produced by Amy Shomer and directed by Mario Mosley.
Family Equality gratefully acknowledges the support of the following LA Impact sponsors: The Dubrow Family (Platinum Sponsor); Kenvue’s Care with Pride (Gold Sponsor); The Murray/Reese Family Foundation (Silver Sponsor); Erica Horton and Dan Cooper, The James Irvine Foundation and Progyny (Bronze Sponsors); BindleBox Films, CCS Fundraising, DavisPolk, Equality Vines, Fertility & Surgical Associates of California, Growing Generations, The IVF Center, Nuage Designs, Ode À La Rose, Rainbow Kids, and ShopQueer (Friend Sponsors); Equality Vines (VIP Reception Sponsor); Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, California Cryobank, Kenvue’s Care with Pride, Clockwork, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fidelity Investments, Gerber, the LEGO Group®, Nederlander, Organon, Playbill, and Target (National Corporate Sponsors).
Learn more and purchase tickets at thelaimpact.com.
ABOUT FAMILY EQUALITY
Family Equality is creating a world where everyone can experience the love, safety, and belonging of family. As the leading national organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families, we work to ensure that everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing LGBTQ+ equality through advocacy, support, storytelling, and education.
Press Contact
Tonya Agnew,
Chief Communications Officer
(765) 490-4709 / tagnew@familyequality.org