LOS ANGELES (May 20, 2009) - Christopher Street West is proud to announce the honorees for the 2009 Los Angeles LGBT PRIDE Celebration whose groundbreaking work, outstanding dedication and meaningful support have advanced humanitarian Pride values on behalf of a grateful community.

Annual awards are presented in a variety of categories including community service, political involvement, the arts, athletics, education and media contributions which commemorate LGBT heritage through awards named for historical figures and their significant contributions. Multiple deserving nominations come directly from the Greater Southern California LGBT community to Christopher Street West through advertised channels, outreach partners and open submissions.

It is with pleasure that Christopher Street West presents this year's selection of distinguished honorees whose commitment to lead, unite and empower a diverse community towards greater levels of freedom, equality and acceptance work directly in conjunction with CSW's vision of PRIDE 365: Power. Passion. Purpose.

MORRIS KIGHT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - Jeanne Córdova

 

Activist, publisher and author of multiple publications, magazines, books, essays, columns and stories, Jeanne Córdova produced The Lesbian Tide, arguably the newspaper of record for the lesbian feminist decade.  Ms. Córdova went on to open the first lesbian center in Los Angeles, campaigned to defeat the anti-gay Briggs initiative, helped form the California State Gay and Lesbian Caucus within the National Democratic Party and served as a delegate to the 1980 National Democratic Convention.  Jeanne also served as President of the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives and recently founded LEX - The Lesbian Exploratorium project.
 
WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD -

 
Powerful, dynamic and articulate, Therese Stewart worked as a litigator for 20 years before joining the San Francisco City Attorney's Office as Chief Deputy City Attorney. In 2004, she defended Mayor Gavin Newsom's order authorizing 4,000 same-sex unions at City Hall.  On March 4, 2008, Ms. Stewart presented oral argument to the California Supreme Court in the Marriage Cases with the high court decision issued on May 15, 2008 ultimately allowing for 18,000 legal same-sex unions in California.  In the wake of Proposition 8, Stewart again argued before the California Supreme Court stating, "A guarantee of equality that is subject to exceptions by the majority is no guarantee at all."
 
MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD -

John A. Pérez

 

This first openly-gay person of color elected to the California State Assembly, John Pérez understands that in order to achieve equality, we must bring everyone to the table.  Mr. Perez has exemplified effective community service throughout his career by creating good jobs, access to affordable health care, improved environmental conditions and greater opportunity for all Californians.  Assemblymember Pérez has served on the boards of AIDS Project Los Angeles and the Latino Coalition against AIDS.  His fervent and dedicated spirit continues to deliver tangible improvements, greater equality and a betterment of all human conditions.

CSW SPECIAL COMMUNITY AWARD -

 

With more than 20 years of entertainment experience in radio, dance clubs and TV as an emcee, vocalist, comedienne and DJ, Claudette Colbert a.k.a. "Claudette Sexy DJ" is so much more than just a DJ. Her loving spirit, infectious charisma and endearing personality unites people through music while providing fun and meaningful entertainment.  Claudette Sexy DJ has generously shared her gift having spun at such fundraisers and volunteer events as "Single de Mayo", Vanity Fair-APLA, NAACP, Battered Women's Shelter, The Center/The Village Youth Outreach Halloween Party and Tuesday's Child.
 
CSW SPECIAL COMMUNITY AWARD -

 

Currently the Program Manager overseeing Volunteer Resources, Reception and Facilities, Jim Williams has worked with AIDS Project Los Angeles since March of 1993. He is a supportive and encouraging force who inspires volunteers to a greater level of service while building new leaders through strong and powerful words. The lives he touches have been motivated to make a significant difference in the future of our community and his services focus to redefine the confines of gender, racism and ageism by mentoring people through the volunteer process.
 
OUTSTANDING YOUTH LEADER AWARD -

Chris Angel Murphy is an intelligent, caring and determined leader, who at only 21 years of age, has already amassed over five years of critical and innovative community service. Chris was a subcommittee leader at Models of Pride, served as President of the Taft High School Gay Straight Alliance, is currently president of the GSA at Pierce College and an active member of the San Fernando Valley Courage Campaign. A true inspiration, Chris courageously gives by openly sharing details of a genderqueer identity while bringing greater awareness and solutions for all Pride generations.
 
BERMAN /SCHAFFER AWARD -

The Hollywood United Methodist Church has been a "sanctuary of hope" since its organization in 1909. The diverse and inclusive congregation has a strong-held commitment to mission and service.  Their efforts to uphold this community philosophy have been consistently illustrated by actions such as the red AIDS ribbons affixed to the sanctuary tower as well as outreach and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS. HUMC's longstanding legacy in ministering to those in need inspires a greater sense of community in sharing a divine spirit of love for all.
 
CONNIE NORMAN AWARD -

Doug Spearman

Doug Spearman is an accomplished actor, writer, producer and director, perhaps best known for his starring role as Chance on the hit LOGO series, Noah's Arc.  Doug uses his success and notoriety for community involvement reaching all areas of our diverse family including work for the Human Rights Campaign, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, The Black AIDS Institute, the Sexual Minority Youth for Leadership and Equality Program, LifeWorks Mentoring and the Equality California Board of Directors.
 
GEORGE MOSCONE AWARD -

 

Two-time Academy Award® winning Actor, journalist and director, Sean Penn is an internationally recognized figure, whose stunningly heartfelt performance as gay rights icon Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant's Milk brought about an awareness that further motivated the very cause for which Harvey stood. On the night of his Oscar® acceptance speech, Sean courageously used one of the most widely recognized global platforms to promote a cause that extended beyond gay or straight to all people deserving the same level of equality and acceptance to which any human being is entitled.
 
HARVEY MILK AWARD -

Maria Louise Roman courageously supports the brothers and sisters of our community to improve their quality of life and attain full legal equality and protection under the law. In 2006, Maria was a victim of a hate crime in Miami and bravely refused to be silenced.  For over 15 years, Maria has been a leader in social service outreach for the transgender community serving as a board member for the Liberty Hill Foundation, on the West Hollywood Transgender Task Force, the Trans-Unity planning committee and as a facilitator teaching sensitivity education to the LAPD and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.                                            
 
PAT PARKER ARTS AWARD -

Artist Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonene 1920-1991) and friend Durk Dehner created the nonprofit Tom of Finland Foundation in 1984.  More than just a safe haven for erotic art from rampant discrimination, the foundation preserves images that have impacted the way gay men throughout the world were perceived by others and themselves. By fighting to gain attention of premiere museum notoriety, the embodiment of these iconic images promotes a healthier, more tolerant attitude about sexuality in general, and helps to support improved acceptance of the Pride community through the evolution of art.
 
SHELDON ANDELSON AWARD -

Formed in 2008 by Regent Entertainment co-founders Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow, Regent Media is the world's most dynamic LGBT-targeted, multi-platform media company. The company includes here! Networks, The Advocate, Out, HIV Plus, the Alyson Books publishing division and an award-winning online presence of Advocate.com, Out.com, and HIVPlusMag.com along with Gaywired.com and the re-branded SheWired.com. With an impressive and diverse staff in Los Angeles and New York as well as a portfolio of media properties that are rich in cultural significance, history, entertainment, fashion and stunning imagery, this amazing entity showcases, empowers and arms the community with knowledge, accuracy and excellence.
 
TORIE OSBORN / DICK MICHAELS MEDIA AWARD - Pat Rocco

 

Pat Rocco is a pioneer who understood the importance of bringing positive LGBT images to the screen in the formative years of the Pride Movement. Pat's films, which he wrote, directed, edited, and produced, were some of the first of gay-themed films to play to the general public. During his tenure as the first President of an incorporated Christopher Street West, Pat was a driving force in adding the festival component to the LA LGBT PRIDE Celebration. Some of the only footage of early festivals, parades, protests and historical rallies are in archives today because of the talented insight and historical generosity that Pat exhibited in documenting the roots of our community.
 
Please visit LAPRIDE.org for more detailed information on all of this year's honorees.  

 

The 2009 LA PRIDE Celebration will take place June 12-14 in West Hollywood.  Please visit the LAPRIDE.org website for more information.

 

 

 
A non-profit organization, Christopher Street West, is a leading partner in the advancement of rights and equality of the LGBT community. Led by professionally driven, volunteer based board members, Christopher Street West produces one of the largest Pride Celebrations in the United States with an expanding global presence reaching millions of people every year.

 

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