Equality Forum Honors Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova will receive the 12th Annual International Role Model Award and MAC Cosmetics will receive the 5th Annual International Business Leadership Award at Equality Forum 2007. The awards will be presented at the International Equality Dinner on May 5 at the National Constitution Center in Independence National Historical Park.

Navratilova, the holder of more tennis championships than any other player in history, is being honored for her work on behalf of the GLBT community. "To say I am honored is more than an understatement-amazing what one can do if one hits the tennis ball really well and also speaks the truth," she said in a release. "It is truly a privilege to be in such an outstanding group of previous recipients as well as a challenge to keep going."

Navratilova is among the first major "out" sports stars and is an outspoken activist for GLBT civil rights. She is also co-founder of the Rainbow Card Affinity Credit Program, which has funded more than 100 Rainbow Endowment grants to over 80 non-profit organizations that support the GLBT community.

M?A?C Cosmetics was selected for its commitment to workplace equality and HIV/AIDS causes. Peter B. Lichtenthal, global general manager of M?A?C Cosmetics and a member of the board of the M?A?C AIDS Fund, stated, "Equality is central to M?A?C's culture and to M?A?C's success. We are honored that Equality Forum has recognized M?A?C Cosmetics with the International Business Leadership Award, and hope that all businesses will, like M?A?C, incorporate uncompromised equality into their work practices and culture."

Since 1994, M?A?C Cosmetics has provided over $85 million for the M?A?C AIDS Fund through the sale of its VIVA GLAM lipsticks and through the annual Kids Helping Kids Card program.

Equality Forum 2007, which will take pace between April 30 and May 6 in Philadelphia, features over 60 programs, parties, and special events. More information about Equality Forum 2007 can be found online at www.EqualityForum.com .