Crowley: Lifetime Achievement Award

David Crowley gets a big honor Thursday night from the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based group working for the civil rights and equality for gays, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

HRC President Joe Solmonese will present the award at 7 p.m. at the Contemporary Arts Center.

Crowley, whose press release about the award mentions he has two gay children and two straight ones, said he was humbled.

"I have always done what I believe is right and that's what I'll continue to do," he said.

"This is not only an issue for Cincinnati, it's a national problem. We are taking steps in the right direction here, but unfortunately the problem continues to exist elsewhere. I am proud of the fact that this national organization is recognizing the work done in Cincinnati and I hope we can continue to be a role model for other cities in America in this area."

Crowley helped push for the repeal in 2004 of Article XII, which forbade council from including homosexuals in the city's anti-discrimination laws between 1993 and the time of the repeal.

He also authored, in 2006, an ordinance to add sexual orientation to the city's human rights ordinance.

www.hrc.org