<p><span style=line-height:1.6em>By Tom Yates</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>The Defenders LLC/Washington DC celebrated their </span>22nd<span style=line-height:1.6em> anniversary Mass with Dignity/Washington on January 19 2014. In celebration the Defenders thanked the Dignity/Washington community for their continuing support in fundraising service and community building. The Defenders gave out donations of $500 each to Dignity/Washington Brother Help Thyself and Damien Ministries.</span></p> <!--break--> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>The 2013 Michael </span>Olivieri<span style=line-height:1.6em> Award was presented to member Patrick </span>Bittinger<span style=line-height:1.6em> for service to the Defenders both to the local chapter and the national organization.</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>The Defenders present the Michael&nbsp;</span>Olivieri<span style=line-height:1.6em>&nbsp;Award every two years.&nbsp; Nominees must have made a significant contribution to the goals purposes and ideal of the Defenders and&nbsp;have shown continued service to Dignity.&nbsp; Nominees must also be recognized and respected by their peers as someone who&nbsp;promotes&nbsp;the values of the Defenders.</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>Michael J.&nbsp;</span>Olivieri<span style=line-height:1.6em>&nbsp;was a member of Dignity/New York a gay activist and&nbsp;</span>leatherman<span style=line-height:1.6em> who organized the first Defenders Leather/Levi Club in New York City in 1981 under the sponsorship of the local Dignity chapter.&nbsp; Although at the time there were many other leather clubs Michael recognized the need for and the possibilities of a unique club that would integrate the spiritual social and sexual aspects of leather folks.</span></p> <p><span style=line-height:1.6em>The gradual growth of Defenders from the first club into a network of clubs and their continued existence after&nbsp;32&nbsp;years is a&nbsp;testament to the validity of his idea.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>In 2002 Mr. Bruce&nbsp;Zehnle a charter member of the original New York City club and partner of Michael&nbsp;Olivieri made a generous gift to Defenders USA to endow a permanent award in Michael&#39;s name.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>