By Aaron Drake Editor

Equality California, in partnership with State Farm Insurance, is calling for nominations of Los Angeles-area grassroots activists who have made a difference in the lives of LGBT Californians to be honored with a Good Neighbor Equality Award at the upcoming 2012 L.A. Equality Awards.

The chosen honoree will receive the award onstage at the event, which will be held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on Aug. 18.

More from EQCA:

This year marks the first time that an Equality Award honoree will be selected not by EQCA, but from nominations by grassroots community members. ...

“While elected officials and movement leaders play a critical role in our efforts to achieve equality, we also know that there are countless individuals across our state making significant contributions to our movement who deserve our thanks, appreciation and recognition,” said Equality California Board President Clarissa Filgioun. “We are proud to engage the LGBT community and our allies in applauding these unsung heroes and thank State Farm Insurance for partnering with us in the important celebration of this work.”

Supporters of equality throughout Southern California may submit nominations by visiting eqcaawards.org/los-angeles/good-neighbor-awards. Submissions must be received no later than July 20.

As an added incentive to encourage nominations, EQCA will award a pair of complimentary tickets to the Los Angeles Equality Awards ($700 value) to the individual whose nominee is selected for the award.