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From the Howard County TimesCommission honors civil rights activists
by Nate Sandstrom
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Howard County Human Rights Commission last week honored the leaders of a support group and a nonprofit policy organization for their work on human rights issues.
Colette Roberts, the co-founder and chairwoman of the Howard County chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays -- or PFLAG -- and Rev. Robert A.F. Turner, president of African-Americans in Howard County, received awards from the commission for their "contributions to human and civil rights in Howard County."
Roberts has been among the leaders of political lobbying on gay rights issues at the county and state levels in recent years.
"Colette has been an amazing leader on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues and continues to serve as an inspirational role model," said Jody Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG's national chapter.
One of the organization's political victories came in 2004 when then-County Executive James Robey granted benefits to county employees' domestic partners.
Roberts said in accepting the award that even though Howard County is more tolerant toward gays and lesbians than many other places, "we still have a lot of work to do."
Turner is the head of African-Americans in Howard County, a policy group focused on issues facing minorities. It has been a lead advocate of greater public and private efforts to build affordable housing in Howard County.
Turner said he was "humbled and honored" to receive the award.
In an interview, Turner praised Howard County for having a Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Office to investigate discrimination cases, adding that "everyone ought to be fighting for (human rights) issues."
The county will add both Turner's and Roberts' names to a plaque displayed in the county's George Howard Building.