The Capital Pride Alliance Announces the 2023 Capital Pride Honorees and Grand Marshals
Washington, D.C., May 24, 2023 – The Capital Pride Alliance is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Capital Pride Honors, generously hosted by Penn Social, on Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM. The recipients are nominated each year by members of the community. They represent individuals who and organizations that have advanced the causes of LGBTQ+ rights. A committee of Capital Pride’s Board of Directors recommends nominees to the full Board, which then approves those recommendations. This event kicks off the annual Capital Pride Celebration week. The event is also generously supported by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Sam Adams, Truly, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, and Amtrak. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Edward Daniels from Scorpio Entertainment. Tickets are available now.
Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of HHS, Admiral Rachel Levine, is being honored with the Paving the Way Award, and longtime activist Earline Budd is receiving a Super Hero Award. In addition, CPA is giving four Heroes Awards, two Breaking Barriers: Community Impact Awards, and one Bill Miles Award for volunteer service to CPA.
“The Capital Pride Alliance extends our thanks and gratitude to members of the community, which has numerous individuals, leaders, and activists dedicated to fighting for LGBGTQ+ rights for all of us,” said Ashley Smith, President of the Board of Directors of the Capital Pride Alliance. “We are fortunate to have such a vibrant honoree selection process, with so many outstanding individuals who were nominated. We are very pleased to celebrate these individuals at the 2023 Capital Pride Honors.”
In addition to receiving their awards at the Capital Pride Honors, the honorees will also serve as Marshals, with Admiral Levine and Earline Budd serving as Grand Marshals in the Capital Pride Parade, presented by Marriott International, and attend the return of the Crack of Noon Pride Parade Brunch on Saturday, June 10, hosted by Viceroy Washington, DC and Dovetail Bar & Restaurant. That event will begin at 11:30 AM and provide prime viewing of the Pride Parade. Tickets are available now.
The following awards will be presented:
The Paving the Way Award acknowledges an individual who or organization that has provided exemplary contributions, support, and/or advocacy that has positively impacted the LGBTQ+ community, and whose leadership has inspired continued progress.
Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of HHS
The Capital Pride Super Hero Award recognizes additional significant and important contributions to the LGBTQ+ community provided by a past Capital Pride Hero.
Earline Budd
The Capital Pride Hero Award recognizes individuals who have furthered the causes important to LGBTQ+ community in the national capital region. These heroes have brought about positive changes to our lives and our community.
Shi-Queeta Lee
Benjamin Rosenbaum
Nancy Cañas
Abdur-Rahim Briggs
The Breaking Barriers: Community Impact Award acknowledges an individual who or organization that has demonstrated a significant impact to the LGBTQ+ community at either the local or national level and who has helped eliminate barriers for social, personal, or professional growth of the LGBTQ+ community.
Drag Story Hour DMV
National LGBTQ Task Force
The Bill Miles Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service acknowledges exemplary contributions to the Capital Pride Alliance, its programs, initiatives, or other Pride sponsored activities.
Brandon Bayton, Jr.
For more information about our honorees and tickets please go to www.capitalpride.org/honors.
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The Capital Pride Alliance (CPA), located in Washington, DC, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community all year long, through educational programs, major events, fundraising, outreach and advocacy, providing platforms for visibility, and supporting the work of our many community organizations and local businesses.
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