Each year, San Diego Pride hands out several awards to organizations and people that have made outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. The honorees will receive their awards at the free Spirit of Stonewall Rally on Friday, July 14 from 6-7 p.m. at the Hillcrest Pride Flag.
All Pride celebrations stem from the anti-police violence riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in June, 1969. The rally recognizes the activist roots of Pride with LGBTQ+ advocates giving speeches during the awards ceremony. This year, Imani Rupert-Gordon, the Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is giving the keynote speech amid what she calls unprecedented attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.
In addition, LGBTQ+ and reproductive justice advocate Vernita Gutierrez is speaking. Maksym Datsenko, a recent Ukrainian immigrant, will share his lived experience as a gay man seeking asylum from the anti-LGBTQ+ hate that Russia is imposing on the region. Maria Schembri will speak about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and Amber St. James will represent the drag community to share how the art form brings healing, liberation and joy. Jai Rodriguez and Fernando Lopez are hosting the event and will hand out the awards.
“All of them are focused on helping our community thrive,” Lopez said of the award recipients.
Last year, there was a clear theme of centering API (Asian, Pacific Islander) activists and standing up for trans rights. The threats facing the LGBTQ+ community have grown in scope since then and the Stonewall Awards recipients have a wider array of focuses. People are being honored for the MPox response, supporting trans people, and standing up for justice in the face of discrimination.
“I think the through line, if there was one, is combating the systems of white supremacy,” said Lopez. “What we’re really talking about is highlighting some of the really key players who have done some significant and powerful work in the last year.”
Community Grand Marshal: Drag Community
The Drag Community was named this year’s community grand marshal so they will march at the front of the parade.
To learn more about the reason for the distinction and how the performers will be centered at Pride, please see the article “Drag, trans communities united against hate.”
Champion of Pride: Christynne Lili Wrene Wood
The Champion of Pride is the highest award handed out each year and is given to someone who demonstrated outstanding leadership in the LGBTQ+ community over an extended period of years. This year, the honor goes to Christynne Lili Wrene Wood, a transgender woman residing in East County who has repeatedly stood up for herself and the larger trans community when facing discrimination.
Learn more about her at https://sdnews.com/champion-of-pride-christynne-lili-wrene-wood/.
Community Service: Naya Marie Velazco
The Community Service award recognizes an up-and-coming leader in the LGBTQ+ community. Latina transgender advocate Naya Marie Velazco is being honored for her dedicated work to improve the lives of Black and brown trans women and other gender minorities.
Learn more about her at https://sdnews.com/stonewall-community-service-naya-marie-velazco/.
Stonewall Service Award: TransFamily Support Services
The Stonewall Service Award is given to an organization that has supported the LGBTQ+ community over several years or made an exceptional contribution in the past year. TransFamily Support Services (TFSS) won the honor after standing firm against national hate aimed at trans youth during their Boo Bash event in 2022.
To learn more about the nonprofit’s work, visit https://sdnews.com/stonewall-service-award-transfamily-support-services/.
Larry T. Baza Arts & Culture Award: Lindsey Deaton
In honor of Larry T. Baza, former Pride co-chair and arts booster, Pride recognizes a local artist or arts organization annually. Baza died in 2021 from COVID-19 at age 76 and is remembered for using the arts as a means to elevate, educate, and advocate for the LGBT+ community. This year, Lindsey Deaton is being honored with his namesake award. She founded the international trans choral movement and locally founded the San Diego Queer Youth Chorus.
Learn more about the artist at https://sdnews.com/stonewalls-larry-t-baza-arts-culture-award-lindsey-deaton/.
Hero of Pride: Dr. Carlton Thomas
Dr. Carlton Thomas received the Hero of Pride award for using his social platforms to spread health information during the MPOX outbreak. Learn more about his work at https://sdnews.com/hero-of-pride-dr-carlton-thomas/.
Friend of Pride: Judy Vaughs
Judy Vaughs, public affairs manager for Planned Parenthood in the Pacific Southwest, is honored as the Friend of Pride. This award acknowledges that Vaughs is not a part of the LGBTQ+ community but she has nonetheless been a stalwart supporter of the community for years and made a contribution to LGBTQ+ rights this year. Read about how she highlighted the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive justice in the wake of the Dobbs decision at https://sdnews.com/friend-of-pride-judy-vaughs/.
Stonewall Philanthropy: Blenders Eyewear
A group, organization or individual which has diligently raised funds to support the LGBTQ+ community is awarded with Stonewall Philanthropy each year. Since 2021, Blenders Eyewear has donated $50k to LGBTQ+ organizations using 100% of the proceeds from its Pride collection.
Often companies profit off of Pride apparel but instead Blenders benefits the group it is marketing to with its unique, fashion-forward Pride sunglasses each year.
Blenders Eyewear, along with other Stonewall award recipients, will be honored at the Stonewall Rally on July 14 at the Pride flag.
Light of Pride: Temple Emanu-El
Light of Pride: Temple Emanu-ElTemple Emanu-El will receive the Light of Pride award at Light up the Cathedral on Wednesday, July 12. The interfaith religious service during Pride week always honors a faith-based group or organization which serves the LGBTQ+ community. Learn about how the social justice-focused synagogue has long supported LGBTQ+ rights at https://sdnews.com/light-of-pride-temple-emanu-el-to-receive-award-july-12/.
