Rita C. Gonzales is an absolute gift to be cherished by the entire LGBT family.  From her early days pioneering LGBT Latino radio programming as co-host and editor of “Radio GLLU” on KPFK 90.7 Los Angeles to its currently reformatted rendition named “IMRU” airing Mondays from 7-8PM, Rita effectively uses her ­voice to inform, educate and advocate.  Her inspirational activism extends from serving as president of GLUU, the oldest LGBT Latino organization in Southern California, as a board member of Connexxus and the One National Gay and Lesbian Archives, as advisory board member for Women On A Roll, with OUTFEST to establish Fusion, the first people of color film festival and presently serves as the chair of the board of directors of Bienestar Health Services.  From her invaluable work utilizing radio broadcast to create a realistic portrayal of LGBT life and family for countless individuals, focused community dedication and her beautifully warm presence during the 2007 Los Angeles Pride Parade Live Broadcast, Rita is a calm force that is everywhere and does so much to be part of creating a formidable solution to the challenges we face today.

Thank you, Rita C. Gonzales, for the empowering community work you consistently perform in bringing to awareness to the ever-evolving issues of the LGBT community and serving an integral part in creating solutions for access to health care, interpersonal support and advocacy of human rights!

Los Angeles Councilman, Bill Rosendahl, has been an educator, an award-winning television broadcaster and a White House appointee.  He is a veteran of the Vietnam War, spending a year as a psychiatric social worker counseling troops returning home from combat.  Bill is highly involved in civic life with a commanding mandate for positive change as a regular moderator of community forums and steering discussions on various issues including charter reform, secession and the formation of neighborhood councils.  He has chaired the California Commission on Tax Policy in the New Economy, served as president of the Los Angeles Press Club, as chairman of the Cable and Telecommunication Association and was a member of the education fund of the Los Angeles League of Women Voters.  Bill is an honored public servant and the first openly gay man on the Los Angeles City Council.  He leads by Proud example and determined action in supporting gay marriage and equal rights and is one of the most influential and important voices in the struggle of the LGBT community. 

The Man of the Year is that individual who continually is involved in an important undertaking that makes a positive statement for the LGBT community as a whole.

Rabbi Denise L. Eger is a brilliant individual who continues to weave a cultural tapestry of spirituality, tradition and activism within our community.  Having served the LGBT community for over 20 years, she was the first lesbian or gay rabbi at Beth Chayim Chadashim and has been the Founding Rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, West Hollywood’s Reform Synagogue, for the past 16 years.  Her extensive work, including instrumental support for civil and religious marriage, spans across being a founding member and past chair of the Interfaith GLBT Clergy Group in Southern California, past chair of the IRB of Search Alliance and past chair of APLA’s Spiritual Advisory Committee, running the only Jewish HIV support group in the country, past chair of the Lay and Lesbian Rabbinic Network and part of the Task Force on Gays and Lesbians in the Rabbinate.  Her gracious and longstanding commitment to generate reform within hearts and minds has remarkably unified ancient traditions and current values. 

Thank you, Rabbi Denise L. Eger, for the lasting presence in creating change in the world we live today, and for your contributions towards a more meaningful future tomorrow!

The Morris Kight Lifetime Achievement Award, first given in 2003, recognizes an individual whose lifetime of work has left a lasting major imprint on the LGBT community.

In 1970, Alexei Romanoff was among the very first individuals who bravely stepped off the sidewalks of Los Angeles, marching in reaction to the riots at Stonewall and has participated in EVERY Christopher Street West LA PRIDE parade to date!  As part the very roots of the Pride movement, Alexei is no stranger to embracing life in the face of oppression so that all may stand Proud from his leading example.  Born 1936 in the Ukraine, his family fled when the Nazis invaded the Soviet Union.  Making their way through Japanese-occupied Manchuria to America, he has joined the circus, enlisted with the United States Marine Core, crafted artisan jewelry during the “Beat” craze of New York, journeyed to Southern California and went on to become co-owner of the New Faces bar on historic Sunset Boulevard whose police raids, harassment and beatings turned into the FIRST protest of a bar raid in the United States.  He went on to form the Santa Monica Coalition for Human rights and worked to end the Briggs Initiative, which outlawed anyone suspected of being homosexual from teaching in the public schools.  Alexei is currently serving as the president of Avatar and is recognized as mentor to many leaders in the leather community. 

Thank you, Alexei Romanoff, for the passion you exemplify towards equality, inclusion and an impeccable record of continued community involvement!

Reverend Troy Perry & Mr. Phillip Ray De Blieck Special Community Award

Reverend Troy Perry and partner Phillip Ray De Blieck fell in love in the summer of 1985 and were married under Canadian law in 2003.  In 2004, they filed suit against the State of California seeking state recognition of their union.  The California Supreme Court has heard the appeals, and in 2008, has not made its ruling.  As founder of the predominantly gay Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), Troy Perry has devoted his life to helping others discover the loving and caring God to whom he has committed his life.  During the past 40 years, he has guided MCC’s growth from a congregation of 12 to 43,000…making it one of the world’s largest LGBT organizations.  He was one of the first openly gay persons to serve on the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations and was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton as an official delegate to White House Conference on Hate Crimes and the White House Conference on AIDS.  For the last 23 years, Phillip Ray has shared the stage with Reverend Perry at every major demonstration held in the United States for LGBT rights and especially for marriage equality.  In the face of oppression, their individual and united dedication to our movement and putting their own relationship on the line speaks volumes towards the possibilities of greater peace, love and acceptance.

Thank you, Reverend Troy Perry and Phillip Ray De Blieck, for the leading example of commitment and honor towards the equal rights, liberties and freedoms in which all of humanity will one day be able to share!

Robin Tyler & Diane Olson Special Community Award

[Robin Tyler, Gloria Allred, Diane Olsen]

Robin Tyler and her partner of 14 years, Diane Olson, appeared with attorney, Gloria Allred, before The California Supreme Court on March 4, 2008 as the first lesbian couple to sue for same gender marriage in the state of California.  Robin’s leading example of personal Pride extends back to the 1970’s as the first open lesbian or gay comic on stage, national television and records and in concerts and clubs.  As a community activist she produced the Main Stage of the 1979, 1987 and 1993 Marches on Washington for LGBT rights, the Women’s Philharmonic at the Kennedy Center, the first International Queer Comedy Festival, was co-founder and National Rally Coordinator for stopdrlaura.com, National Co-Chair of DontAmend.com, the organization fighting to stop Federal and State constitutional Amendments against same sex marriage.  Robin Tyler and Diane Olsen are a representative powerhouse of media savvy tenacity whose relentless efforts make sure that our needs amongst the LGBT community be covered.  Through constant example, they encourage others to fight, non-stop, until we have all of the rights and privileges we deserve.

Thank you, Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, for the inspirational talent, professional drive and relentless focus you infuse between our common causes!

Marc Chambers Special Community Award

Along with Thorn Edwards and Martin Rodriguez, Marc Chambers founded the Lambda Basketball League in 1990 to provide a safe and accepting environment for LGBT basketball players and friends to socialize, compete and build life-long relationships.  As a team leader, Mark has led Long Beach athletes to compete at the Amsterdam, Sydney and Chicago Gay Games in 1998, 2002 and 2006.  In 2003, he founded the National Gay Basketball Association, helping players across the entire country to organize successful LGBT basketball programs and tournaments.  As a team player in the true sense of the word, Mark is a constant advocate for the inclusion of specialized interests and talents of our diverse community and is a proven leader, having built large social networks to promote ideals of acceptance, culture and camaraderie through sports interaction. 

Dinorah Garcia has been the Director of Mentoring at LifeWorks Mentoring, an organization creating higher achievement and self-sufficiency for youth between the ages of 14-24, from its inception.  Now serving over 500 LGBT youth, Dinorah’s efforts, outreach and vision have been an incredible attribute to the success of this remarkable organization.  Her unique personality is an admirable addition to the greater Pride movement in the ways she is able to generate trust, develop confidence and motivate esteem in a welcoming embrace of the youth of our family.  Just as Christopher Street West remains an organization for the community, by the community, so does Dinorah live and breathe the empowerment she represents.

Thank you, Dinorah Garcia, for the brave and mature example you provide in inspiring others towards higher achievement!

The Youth Leader Award recognizes a youth, between the ages of 14-24, who has volunteered their time for the betterment of youth in the LGBT community.

Mason Davis is an intelligent, talented and hardworking member of our community who gives freely of himself in bringing a face to the “T” of our transgender family members within the LGBT community.  Currently serving as Executive Director of The Transgender Law Center, California’s first statewide transgender civil rights organization, Mason co-founded FTM Alliance of Los Angeles, partnered to organize the Transgender Leadership Academy and the Community Clinic Campaign, a countywide health initiative to increase health care access for transgender adults.  Also serving on the City of West Hollywood’s Transgender Task force, National Center for Transgender Equality and the Liberty Hill Foundation Lesbian and Gay Funding Board, Mason’s dedication produces strong advocacy on behalf of employment, education, healthcare, immigration and rights for an historically marginalized group that the LGBT community is Proud to stand amongst.

Thank you, Mason Davis, for the amazing work you have performed across legal and social platforms so that we may all be more comfortable with who we are and how we relate to a greater body of individuals!

Helen Goss embodies equality in every fiber of her being.  As one of the original employees for the City of West Hollywood, Helen was the City’s original Public Information Office and the City’s Public Information/Cable Television Manager.  Standing on the forefront of issues surrounding the LGBT community and HIV/AIDS, she continues to oversee the city channel where positive images representing the community have become a standard within the City of West Hollywood, for all to appreciate as a recognized destination of leading global importance.  In addition to more than 20 years of city service, Helen has been admitted to practice law by the State Bar of California, United States District Court (Central District of California) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, while also holding a Certified Teaching Credential for the Los Angeles Community College District.  Her diverse talents serve the greater representation of our community and her gifts are generously shared as a Volunteer Attorney with the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Domestic Violence Project.  She exhibits strength through example and equality through action in a Pride she inspires for all to carry without limitation.

Thank you, Helen Goss, for embracing a community that cherishes your contributions…you are a valued inspiration, leading participant and gifted contributor to the LGBT family!

Divine.  Hilarious.  Empowering.  Worthie Meacham has been entertaining audiences with his beloved character, “MOMMA”, providing a voice for those who need it most. MOMMA has helped with almost every AIDS service organization in Southern California, other youth service groups such as the Trevor Project, Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and many breast cancer charities; this support has helped efforts to raise over nine million dollars!  An established performer and host, MOMMA has appeared in the opera ‘il Pagliacci’ for Franco Zeferelli at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and at the Kennedy Center and is a crowd-favorite hosting headliners on the LA PRIDE Festival WaMu® Main Stage Pavilion. MOMMA evokes the figurative love, acceptance and encouragement to make a difference in people’s lives.  Even if we haven’t heard it before, Momma uses the voice of the community to provide a new level of personal validation to all.

Thank you, Worthie Meacham, for sharing your gracious talent, stunning presence and touching humor that makes a difference in a countless number of lives.

Serafemme Queer Women of Color Music Festival is a six-hour, multiple-artist outdoor festival created in 2005 by producer Marquita Thomas to address greater visibility for lesbian and bisexual women of color artists. In just a few years, it has garnered the attention of an active audience and grasped the attention of women all over the world who enjoy its eclectic mix of music, spoken word and comedy. With past appearance by Grammy & Tony award winners Nadirah Shakoor and Staceyann Chin, the 2008 festival is slated for August 17 at the West Hollywood Park Baseball field and is sponsored in partnership by the Lesbian Visibility Committee of the City of West Hollywood.

Thank you, Serafemme and Marquita Thomas, for creating a vehicle to showcase African American Women and their deserving recognition in the arts!

MACHA (Mujeres “Women” Advancing Culture, History & Art) Theatre Company is a non-profit organization formed in 2000 to build social, cultural and artistic bridges between the straight and gay communities of various ethnicities and provide the LGBTI community a sense of belonging.  As an accomplished actor, writer, director and producer, Artistic Director, Odalys Nanin, has been busily creating a full roster of plays, musicals, short films and workshops to drive forward the contemporary Los Angeles theatre scene.  She is one of the most influential Latinas in our community and a motivating force in what one person can say through art and culture to bring the minds and hearts of a people together.

Thank you, MACHA Theatre Company and Odalys Nanin, for your imaginative spirit and outstanding reputation for creating of critical acclaim to promote common values both inside and outside our inclusive community.

Pepe Torres, Al Ballesteros and Enrique Romero founded Adelante Magazine in June of 1998 to provide accurate and up-to-date information, news briefs, feature stories and health and human interest information to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Latino community in a bilingual (Spanish and English) format.  Torres and Ballesteros, long-term partners for 16 years, alongside personal friend and collaborator Romero showed great courage in establishing this high-quality publication in the extremely competitive and highly saturated metropolitan market of Los Angeles.  It is a testament to their talent, character and vision in bringing the successful distribution of this powerful and special publication to life.  Just as Adelante Magazine remains committed to mainstreaming the voice of the Latino gay community, so too are the shared goals of Christopher Street West in bringing recognition from all aspects of our LGBT community and its relation to greater humanitarian efforts.  

Congratulations, Pepe Torres, Al Ballesteros and Enrique Romero, on the 10th Anniversary of Adelante Magazine…thank you for the extraordinary and innovative voice you provide in bringing our community together!

This award recognizes an individual or organization serving the community through the media.  Torie Osborn is a best-selling author and social activist for the past three decades.  Dick Michaels and partner Bill Rand started The Advocate as one of the first gay newspapers in 1967.