The Westchester Pride Coalition has announced that Yvette Christofilis, former head of the Westchester County Office of LGBT Affairs, will be honored at a special event on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 6:00 pm in White Plains. Christofilis’ office, along with several other minority services, was eliminated from the Westchester County government as of January 31, 2010.

The Westchester Pride Coalition, a group of non-profits serving the LGBT community, grew out of a meeting convened by the former LGBT Liaison. With her nurturing and support, the WPC was able to hold Westchester’s first ever LGBT Pride event last September at Rye Playland, which attracted over 400 participants. “It was only natural for us to honor Yvette Christofilis,” said David Juhren, Executive Director of the LOFT LGBT Community Center in White Plains. “She in effect launched the Coalition, which carries on her work without direct county government ties.” An LGBT Advisory Board will continue to provide vital feedback and policy advice to the county legislature.

The WPC invites the community to join them in thanking Yvette Christofilis for her two years of service to Westchester’s LGBT community at a cocktail reception on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at Cabo in downtown White Plains from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. This fundraising reception, playfully called “The Big Yvent” in Christofilis’ honor, will also raise much-needed funds for this year’s Westchester Pride at Playland.

Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased in advance at www.westchesterpride.org/bigyvent.html or at the door. There will be complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Cabo is located at 107 Mamaroneck Avenue in downtown White Plains. There is plenty of municipal parking within the immediate area, including the parking lot directly behind Cabo. Supporters can also purchase a congratulatory listing in the program to thank Christofilis for her work and legacy.

The second annual Westchester Pride at Playland 2010 is set for Saturday, September 11, 2010 with a rain date of Sunday, September 12. The WPC is already planning festivities and aims to increase the event’s attendance and importance.

Members of the Westchester Pride Coalition include AIDS-Related Community Services, Center Lane, the Gateway Program at Westchester Medical Center, GLSEN Hudson Valley, Lambda Peer Support Services, The LOFT LGBT Community Services Center, NYTRO, PFLAG Westchester, Planned Parenthood, Rainbow Alliance of Westchester, Straight Spouse Network, Victims Assistance Services, and Westchester Lesbian Connection. For more information visit www.westchesterpride.org.