Shavonne Conroy is entertainer for HRC gala
QSanAntonio.com, September 15, 2011

Guests at this year's HRC Gala Dinner and Silent Auction on October 15 will be entertained by Shavonne Conroy, an actress and singer who has headlined at New York concert venues, off-Broadway theater, and television.

Conroy, who now lives in San Antonio, says her career began at the age of two when she used a commode plunger as a microphone and sang for hundreds at family reunions. She continued performing all through her school years.

While working toward her MFA, Conroy taught college for four years and after graduation toured with a pop band. Reflecting on her years on the road she recalls saying, “Hey, if I can tame a bunch of drunks, I must be ready for New York!”

She did indeed move on to bigger and better venues. Regionally she played the title role in "Evita" and Sally Bowles in "Cabaret." She won a Globe Award for Best Actress in each of those shows.

Conroy went on to work in television, national commercials, voice-overs and concerts. Her television appearances include "All My Children," "Law & Order," "Guiding Light," and FX's "Rescue Me." She also sang on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

"My biggest claim to fame is a sweet following in the gay community in New York City," says Conroy. " I’ve sung at many of their fundraisers and they embrace me as a 'drag queen stuck in a woman’s body.' When Miss Trai La Trash was crowned Empress of the Imperial Court at Night Of A Thousand Gowns I was part of her court."

Conroy adds that one of biggest honors was replacing Olivia Newton-John at the Gay Games in Chicago's Soldiers Field in 2006.

Conroy is also an advocate for people with AIDS. "It's devastating to have friends whose lovers are on their death beds, and the families forbid them to see each other, or to see couples where one partner is left destitute and penniless because many companies do not offer health insurance to gay domestic partners," she said in an interview.

Since moving back to San Antonio, Conroy's full-time job is producing for SRO Associates, a local production company specializing in live stage presentations.

"I’ve not done much singing since returning home," says Conroy, "the National Anthem for the Northside Chamber of Commerce gala, the Spurs and the Silver Stars, a Cole Porter revue, and a few private parties."

She says she's looking forward to performing for the HRC Gala in San Antonio. "The most wonderful thing about singing for HRC is being in a room full of loving, accepting people who understand that 'rights' are supposed to be equal for all."

The Human Rights Campaign San Antonio Gala and Silent Auction. Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 600 Market Street. Click here to purchase tickets. For more information please contact Elizabeth Schleigh at 210-867-8325 or email eschleigh13@yahoo.com.

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QSanAntonio.com, September 3, 2011
John Benjamin Hickey, the out gay actor who this year won the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for his role in "The Normal Heart" will be in San Antonio on October 15 to receive the Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign at their gala dinner.

Dr. Paul Boskind to be honored by HRC
QSanAntonio.com, July 9, 2011
The local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign announced this week that they will honor Dr. Paul Boskind with the Chuck Jordan Award for lifetime advocacy at their Gala Dinner and Silent Auction on October 15 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel