ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTRESS, TO KEYNOTE 2011 BLACK TIE DINNER

DALLAS - (August 26, 2011) - Black Tie Dinner announced today that Academy Award winning actress and activist, Marlee Matlin, will present the keynote speech at the 30th annual Black Tie Dinner Celebration, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. In addition, retired Marine Staff Sergeant., Eric Alva, will receive this year's Elizabeth Birch Equality Award. These entertainment announcements follow previously announced Dinner highlights including the 2011 Master of Ceremonies - stand-up comedienne and actress, Caroline Rhea, as well as the 2011 Media Award recipient - Emmy Award-winning “Modern Family” actor, Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

Matlin, who at 18 months old lost her hearing, became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar at age 21 for her role in "Children of a Lesser God." In addition to the Oscar, Marlee received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. She is well-known for her recurring roles in various popular television shows from "The West Wing" to the groundbreaking Showtime series, "". Earlier this year, she made a new name for herself by breaking records raising the most funds for a charity in a single event on any television show as a contestant on "Celebrity Apprentice."

Matlin's prominence and high visibility have raised awareness for people with disabilities as well as LGBT rights and issues. When Marlee Matlin accepted the role of a lesbian on "The L Word," she was very familiar with what it meant to be gay thanks to her close relationship to her gay brother, Marc. “Nothing surprised me about the issues in the script,” she told Curve magazine. “I know how it feels to be thought of as 'different' as a deaf person, and I also know my brother's experience. No one should tell us who we should be with or shouldn't be with.”

BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 4015 LEMMON AVENUE SUITE 4001, PMB #321 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972-865-2239 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG

Alva was the first American soldier to be seriously wounded in the war in Iraq. On March 21, 2003, he was traveling in Iraq in a convoy to Basra with his battalion when he stepped on a landmine, breaking his right arm and damaging his leg so badly that it needed to be amputated. Alva was awarded a Purple Heart and received a medical discharge from the military.

Now openly gay, Alva has been an eloquent and influential spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign's efforts to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" since 2007. He has raised awareness about the strain of serving under the military's discriminatory law through many public appearances and media interviews, and met directly with congressional leaders to urge them to repeal the law. The culmination of Alva's efforts came on December 22, 2010 – on the eve of his 40th birthday – when he stood over President Obama's right shoulder as the President signed into law the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The Elizabeth Birch Equality Award is given by discretion, no more than yearly, to an individual, organization or company that has made a significant contribution of national scope to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Former Human Rights Campaign Executive Director, Elizabeth Birch, received the first such award, as well as the distinction of having this recognition renamed in her honor. Past recipients of the Birch award include American Airlines, Judy Shepard, Showtime Networks/Robert Greenblatt, Alan Cumming, Sharon Stone and Bishop V. Gene Robinson.

BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 4015 LEMMON AVENUE SUITE 4001, PMB #321 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972-865-2239 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG ABOUT BLACK TIE DINNER

Black Tie Dinner is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) supportive organizations serving North Texas through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment in partnership with the community.

Since 1982, the nation’s largest LGBT fundraising dinner has grown and prospered in a supportive environment. The evolution of our community is reflected in the yearly increases that beneficiaries have received.

To attend this year's Black Tie Dinner, visit blacktie.org to learn how to become a Table Captain or Dinner Sponsor. The secure, user-friendly Black Tie Dinner website allows individuals and companies to purchase and organize tables of ten, invite table guests and receive payments. To learn more about table sales, contact Mitzi Lemons at [email protected] or call (972) 733-9200, ext. 7.

For more information about the Black Tie Dinner or this year’s event, visit www.blacktie.org or call 972-865-2239. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

PRESS CONTACT:

James Ford (Board Member) 972-865-2239 ext. 29

BLACK TIE DINNER, INC. 4015 LEMMON AVENUE SUITE 4001, PMB #321 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972-865-2239 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG