Lorri Jean is currently serving as the CEO of the L.A. Gay and Lesbian center, one of the largest LGBT social service organizations in the world. Her tireless efforts in the LGBT community constantly guide and inspire others to strive for equality. Through courageous involvement, Lorri inspires a movement serving the LGBT community with a simple message: we deserve nothing less than full equality.

An integral part of Lorri’s success is working to support those who support equality; as one of the catalyst’s for real change her continued efforts are greatly appreciated by the members of CSW.

Phill Wilson continues to make significant contributions to the LGBT community through inspiring leadership as he fights to stop the AIDS pandemic in black communities. Founder and executive director of the Black AIDS Institute, Phill provides advocacy from a uniquely and unapologetically black point of view.

Phill is a formidable role model who raises issues that many people would rather dismiss. CSW salutes the direction of such an amazing individual who brings important issues to the forefront of our awareness.

The L.A. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence represent an outstanding example of grass-roots leadership and community involvement. These magnificent nuns attend events relating to human rights, political activism and religious intolerance flaunting their message of spreading joy, absolving guilt and serving the community.

The Sisters make a noticeable difference in a fun and innovative way, with an authentic expression of who they are. CSW thanks the Sisters for their continuing support of the LGBT community.

Daphne Dennis has a remarkable passion and enthusiasm to help and support people. As the Social Services Manager for the City of West Hollywood, Daphne is a driving factor around imperative health care issues and is able to work on behalf of the city to nurture non-profit organizations and engage them as collaborators in quality service provision.

CSW recognizes the importance of having individuals like Daphne to coordinate partnerships between organizations offering social services within a city such as West Hollywood that has attracted global attention for an upstanding vision.

Jasmyne Cannick’s insight inspires others through her social and political commentary addressing topics as varied as race, religion, politics and sex. Through her love of media communication, Jasmyne faces issues head-on such as HIV/AIDS, the “down low” and the crisis in black leadership. She is one of the founding members of the National Black Justice Coalition, the nation’s only black LGBT civil rights group.

CSW salutes individuals like Jasmyne who reach out to communities that have been unfairly represented and are catalyst for real change.

Geoffrey Kors is the Executive Director of Equality California where his direct legislative efforts have resulted in California having the most comprehensive LGBT civil rights laws in the Nation. His smart, strategic and constructive empowerment brings different points of view into a unified voice to stand up for equality of all.

Geoff’s tremendous leadership empowers a wide variety of individual sectors of the LGBT community; CSW appreciates the work that Geoff has been a part of to further LGBT equality.

In 1999 Alice A. Huffman was the first woman elected president of the California State Conference of the NAACP. Alice is a fierce activist who continually embodies the principal that one cannot be a part of the civil rights movement if we let discriminating behavior exist in any aspect of our lives.

CSW celebrates the diversity which brings us together and applauds individuals like Alice who continue to spread powerful messages to all members of a greater global community.

Dolores Huerta is the President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation for Community Organizing, whose mission is to build active communities working for fair and equal access to healthcare, housing, education, jobs, civic participation and economic resources for disadvantaged communities with an emphasis on women and youth.

CSW is pleased to honor Dolores standing up and demanding equality for everyone in the global community.

Gary Oliphant exemplifies unusual strength and outstanding direction as a leader in constant support of the LGBT community. Gary has been directly supportive of the LGBT community, but has also worked with Wells Fargo Bank’s corporate giving to support deserving LGBT organizations.

Gary’s generosity has been experienced by countless customers who have benefited from the tools he has made available, including: promoting financial education, shared accounts information, property management and encouragement to practice strong business principals.

Ella Matthes serves as publisher of the Lesbian News, which she purchased in 1995. Ella uses her vast knowledge, expertise and commitment to serve the LGBT community. With the hard work, active participation and a desire to grow she has made significant

Ella’s commitment to the community extends beyond professional ventures as she has done extensive work for numerous community organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area. CSW commends Ella for incorporating the lesbian perspective in everything she writes.

Dave Rhodes is the publisher, editor and owner of The Leather Journal, which was founded in 1987; however, his work extends beyond the leather community. Dave is committed to remembering the past and sharing it with others to further social acceptance. He has played a selfless part in serving the LGBT community through a variety of publications that support common goals.

Dave is an example of an individual whose hard work, commitment and inclusiveness has made a tremendous impact on building bridges between the LGBT community and their allies. CSW recognizes the voice that Dave has used to bring awareness to leather community and beyond.

Since 1986, Kathy Watt has been involved with the Van Ness Recovery House as a resident, an active volunteer and as a full time Staff Member and now as their Executive Director. Throughout her involvement she has been committed to helping others who face the challenges of addiction find dignity and inner peace.

Kathy reminds everyone all that we cannot give up on each other no matter what challenges stand in the way. CSW thanks Kathy for giving so much so that others may be inspired to healthy and intimate relationships within the LGBT community.

Karina Samala is currently President of the Imperial Court of Los Angeles & Hollywood, in which Karina participates, with flair and style, in a wide variety of causes to raise funds for diverse needs. She is also involved with the L.A. Sheriff’s Department GLBT Advisory Council and the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Karina delivers an insightful message encompassing empowerment; CSW is pleased to recognize Karina as someone who is willing to serve in any way that is asked of her.

Bienestar, founded in 1989 to enhance the lives of members of the Latino community living with HIV/AIDS, literally means “well-being.” Bienestar operates ten centers throughout Southern California, addressing issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, women’s health and homelessness.

CSW salutes Bienestar for creating an admirable atmosphere of what can be accomplished by empowering clients and working with staff and volunteers to share a genuine concern with cultural awareness to provide information and care.

Lupe Ontiveros, a well-known stage, television and screen actress, as well as a Community Activist, was the 2006 LA Pride Grand Marshall. Lupe is a visionary who has sought to affect change while maintaining her dignity as a woman. CSW continues to forge relationships with individuals beyond the LGBT community who share a passion for equality and who are willing to help bring visibility to the inequalities that exist.

The 15 years that Lupe spent as a social worker helped her become more involved as an activist, which has gained the respect of her community through recognition awards for her efforts. As a founding member of the Latino Theatre Company in Los Angeles, Lupe has dedicated her life towards affecting change in the negative image of Latinos in the entertainment industry. By creating award winning, original theatrical projects that enhance our existing cultural values and educate theatre audiences to the Latino/Chicano experience, the Latino Theatre Company has been able to address past and present social/political issues from the historical events of the Chicano Movement to the present social/sexual evolution of the Latino Community.

Lupe’s film credits include “Picking Up the Pieces” with Woody Allen, “As Good as it Gets” with Jack Nicholson, “The Brave, Mi Familia/Selena”. She also starred in the HBO feature “Real Women Have Curves.” Her countless television credits include “Dudley” with Dudley Moore, “Veronica’s Closet” and “Desperate Housewives,” as Carlos’ mother, Juanita Solis.

Tony award-winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur was the 2006 Celebrity Grand Marshall. Marissa has seen success not only on Broadway but also in numerous television and film roles. Marissa started her career on the stage in the Broadway production of “Grease,” but is probably best known for her Tony Award-winning role as Tracy Turnblad in the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray.” Winokur’s film credits include “Fever Pitch,” “Scary Movie” and “American Beauty.”

Marissa’s television credits include roles in “Dharma and Greg,” “Moesha,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Jack and Bobby,” “Just Shoot Me,” “Felicity,” and “Get Real.”

Coming soon