ALBUEQUERQUE – George Bach, a staff Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, will receive the Human Rights Alliance "Treasure Award" at the 13th Annual Human Rights Alliance Gay-la in Santa Fe on Saturday, March 17 at the Hotel Eldorado. Bach’s legal efforts have advanced the cause of civil rights in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

"George's passion for civil liberties is matched only by his compassion for the people he represents.  He is a tireless worker, an exceptionally bright lawyer, and a person of great integrity.  The ACLU is lucky to have him," said ACLU Executive Director Peter Simonson.

As the ACLU's first and only attorney on staff, Bach directs a legal program that enlists the volunteer services of over two dozen attorneys and litigates roughly 40 civil rights suits every year.  Last month, he and volunteer ACLU Co-Legal Director Maureen Sanders sued the New Mexico Retirement Health Care Authority for refusing to provide health insurance to the domestic partners of retired state and public employees. 

"The Human Rights Alliance is pleased to honor a member of the LGBT community who continuously works behind the scenes and under the radar in an effort to defend those who so desperately need it," said Doña Hatch, President of the Human Rights Alliance. "George is a shining example of what compassion is all about. He also represents the old adage 'justice is blind,' or at least should be. He is a fine role model for the younger generation coming up and coming out."

Former Governor of New Jersey, James McGreevey, will deliver the keynote address at the Gay-la.