Gay Business Group Hosts Awards Dinner

The Valley Business Alliance, a gay and lesbian organization, is hosting its 16th annual president’s dinner and awards presentation Jan. 14 at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City.

Alliance President Bill Robinson said the event is an opportunity for his organization to recognize people’s contributions, regardless of sexual orientation, to the gay community and HIV/AIDS causes.

The recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year award is Miki Jackson, who has spent the past two years volunteering at Aunt Bee’s Laundry Service, a Hollywood group that collects, washes and delivers the laundry of homebound victims of the AIDS virus, Robinson said.

“The laundry service will be expanded to the Valley next year once they get another truck,” he said.

Also honored will be Bill Craig, owner and publisher of the gay and lesbian magazine Frontiers.

He also helps the LIFE AIDS lobbying group.

The media service award will go to Madam Dish Productions, which produces a gay talk and cooking show called “Dish” for public access television.

Started by Steven McCarthy, the show features McCarthy first interviewing a gay or lesbian guest--anyone from Washington politicos to local playwrights--at a couch in his home.

Then they cook a meal together in the kitchen and eat together, Robinson said.

“It’s a unique opportunity to communicate with the non-gay community and let them know about gay and lesbian people,” Robinson said.

Tickets for the dinner cost $50 until Tuesday; $60 afterward.

For more information, call (818) 982-2650.