Mitchell Gold, founder of Faith In America and CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, was honored in New York on Wednesday for his work in educating the public about the harm caused by religion-based bigotry and prejudice toward gay Americans.

Gold was presented the Stonewall Community Foundation’s distinguished Visionary Award at the 40th Anniversary gala dinner at the United Nations Delegates’ Dining Room on Wednesday The event celebrated the great strides made by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community of New York and recognize Stonewall’s vital role in nurturing and strengthening the LGBT movement over the past 20 years.

Gold was recognized for his many years of advocacy work and for his efforts to better the well-being of LGBT individuals. Gold in 2005 founded Faith in America, an organization working to end the advance of religion-based bigotry toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Last fall, he edited and published the book, “CRISIS: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay In America.”

The dinner also honored Dustin Lance Black, the 2008 Academy Award® and Writers Guild of America Award winning screenwriter of Milk, the Gus Van Sant-directed biopic of the late gay rights activist Harvey Milk that also earned an Academy Award® for Best Actor for Sean Penn in the title role.

The Stonewall Dinner featured a performance by Melinda Doolittle, breakout American Idol finalist and recording artist.

The Stonewall Visionary Award honors individuals for their outstanding work on behalf of the LGBT community and who live and promote the principles of Stonewall in their personal and professional lives. The foundation honors those who are champions of equal rights, have made a significant investment in the LGBT community and contribute to improving the LGBT community’s place in society.

Stonewall Community Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization, is the public charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) in New York. Since its founding in 1990, Stonewall has awarded more than $14 million in grants to more than 450 LGBT organizations, many of which are new or emerging groups that do not have the resources to reach potential donors. Its mission is to promote the well-being of LGBT individuals and strengthen the LGBT community.