SAN DIEGO — San Diego Pride has announced its 2014 Spirit of Stonewall Award winners, who will be honored at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, taking place Friday, July 18 at 6 p.m., at the Hillcrest Pride Flag.
The annual awards are designed to honor individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on San Diego’s LGBT community. Nominations for the awards were received from the San Diego community and the list of recipients follows:
Grand Marshal
The honorable Speaker of the Assembly, Toni Atkins.
Community Grand Marshals
Pioneers of Pride: The LGBT Community Center, Dignity San Diego, The Imperial Court de San Diego, and the Metropolitan Community Church
Champions of Pride
Vincent Pompei – For his national service to LGBT Youth and education.
Lisa Mata – For her volunteerism and helping to bring the Human Rights Campaign to San Diego.
Friend of Pride
Patti Boman – For her dedication to PFLAG and LGBT youth.
Stonewall Service Award
Lambda Archives – For preserving the San Diego LGBT community’s history.
Inspirational Couple
Danielle LoPresti and Alicia Champion – For volunteerism and dedication to the LGBT community.
Dwayne D. and Jonathan Beebe-Franqui – For working to give a face and voice to LGBT military couples.
Community Service
Empress Candi Samples – Dedication to the LGBT community through her work at the Imperial Court.
“While Pride is our community’s largest celebration, it is also a time to honor our roots and give thanks to the leaders and organizations who work every day to make our community a better place,” said Stephen Whitburn, San Diego LGBT Pride, executive director.
For more information on this year’s event visit sdpride.org.
Congratulations to LGBT family and friends for a very successful year. Surely this award will not be made possible without all your efforts and as your fellow companion, I am so proud of you.