Sunil Pant founded the Blue Diamond Society in 2001 in Nepal. BDS is a grassroots organization working on human rights, sexual health and HIV/AIDS issues, targeting the needs of men who have sex with men and lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender communities. Under Pant’s leadership, BDS supports 7 HIV and human rights service centers and another 15 outreach centers throughout Nepal.

He has served as a trainer and consultant on projects for numerous groups including the Global Fund, UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. He has brought needed focus to addressing violence against sexual and gender minorities in an international arena. Pant and BDS provide a valuable template for successful community organizing and advocacy. In recognition of Pant’s ongoing contribution to the sexual health and rights of MSM and LGBT communities, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission will present him and the Blue Diamond Society with the prestigious 2007 Felipa de Souza Award.

Clarence Patton is the executive director of the New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, the nation’s largest crime victims’ assistance organization serving lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected victims of violence. He is also acting executive director of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, a coalition of LGTB violence response organizations in the US and Canada.

Before coming to the Anti-Violence Project, Patton was Program Coordinator at the Empire State Pride Agenda, one of New York State’s premier lesbian and gay lobbying and political action organizations. Patton has been Board Chair of People of Color in Crisis, an advocacy and service agency in Brooklyn primarily serving men of African descent living with or at risk for HIV and AIDS. His leadership and vision have greatly contributed to each of the organizations he has worked with.