<p>By M.A. Ladd and Peggy Burns Dignity/Boston members&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt=Ken and Marcia Garver src=/sites/default/files/images/Ken%20and%20Marcia%20Garber_0.png style=float:right; height:199px; margin-left:5px; margin-right:5px; width:200px />During the week of Trans Remembrance the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) presented their &ldquo;Ally Advocacy&nbsp;Award.&rdquo; This award recognizes the vital non-professional advocacy work of our community&rsquo;s cherished allies: our friends families spouses and colleagues who go above and beyond in their support for transgender rights. This year&rsquo;s recipient was Ken Garber.</p> <!--break--> <p>Ken Garber and his wife Marcia have both been tireless advocates over the years; speaking with legislators and constituents volunteering their time and supporting community members with unending kindness and compassion.</p> <p>Ken died on October 27 2013. To honor his memory MTPC renamed the award The Ken Garber Ally Advocacy Award and presented it to him in a private ceremony before his death. It will be presented annually during Transgender Awareness Week and stands as a testimony to and a reminder of his enormous commitment and contribution to the growth of respect for and protection for the rights of the transgender community.</p> <p>Ken served for four years on the MA Commission for GLBT Youth and worked tirelessly for the passage of the state Transgender Equal Rights Law. He and Marcia were the recipients of the&nbsp;MTPC Youth Committee Award in 2009 the NAGLY Spirit Award in 2010 and the Pride Interfaith Award in 2011. Ken participated in Trans People Speak and <a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfG_CbpUSFM&amp;feature=share>here is his video</a>.&nbsp;</p>