“Philadelphia has such a rich history of queer activism, leadership and artistry — trailblazers who have made our city stronger, more inclusive, and more vibrant. Yet, too often, these contributions go unrecognized or underappreciated,” said Councilmember Rue Landau about the inspiration for the LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame Awards.
“Coming together for this first annual ceremony is a powerful statement: We see you, we honor you, and your work matters. It’s about recognizing where we’ve been, acknowledging where we are, and laying the groundwork for where we’re going,” she continued. “It also shouldn’t be lost on anyone that we are about to head into another four years of a Trump presidency. The potential harm that could be done to the LGBTQ+ community in the coming years is immense, and I want to take opportunities like this to lift up how far we’ve come in order to bring our collective strength as a community to the forefront of the conversation.”
Landau’s idea for the event, which was held on Dec. 19 at the Museum of the American Revolution, came after the museum’s leadership reached out to her proactively “to build a bridge with our community and begin a process of healing,” she said — after the museum sat at the center of a controversy in 2023 when it hosted a Moms for Liberty conference. Landau said she saw an “olive branch” as an opportunity to uplift LGBTQ+ voices.
Senators urged the museum not to host the event, but a spokesperson from the museum defended the decision to host the group.
“Because fostering understanding within a democratic society is so central to our mission, rejecting visitors on the basis of ideology would in fact be antithetical to our purpose,” the spokesperson said at the time.
Protests followed.
“This is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation,” Landau underlined. “Having the LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame at the museum reflects our resilience and is a demonstration of the growth of our allies. The restorative actions are essential as we create new allies moving into the next four years.”
At the event, 17 honorees were recognized for their leadership in the nonprofit and business sectors, youth and community advocacy, long legacies of work, public service, pioneering accomplishments, and more. Each recipient will be named on a plaque that lives in City Hall to forever memorialize their achievements.
Landau said she and her team aimed to recognize trailblazers, advocates and leaders “from every corner of Philadelphia” who have made significant contributions to Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community — seeking to honor those who have made the city safer, more inclusive, and more just for LGBTQ+ people.
“Every honoree has been a change-maker in their own way, and I’m incredibly proud to lift up their contributions,” she noted, highlighting her excitement in recognizing those who often don’t receive the attention they deserve — including Black, Brown and trans leaders. “I look forward to expanding this list with new awardees each year moving forward.”
Aishah Shahidah Simmons, a Black feminist filmmaker, who was a keynote speaker at the reception, was honored with an Arts and Culture award. Essex Hemphill, a Philadelphia-based poet and activist who died in 1995 from HIV/AIDS, was honored posthumously with an In Memoriam Legacy Award.
Other awards went to:
• David Acosta — Founder of Galaei
• Chivonn Anderson — Owner of RedCrest Kitchen
• Chris Bartlett — Executive director of the William Way LGBT Community Center
• Jacen Bowman — Vice president of Philadelphia Black Pride
• Tyrell Brown — Executive director of Galaei and founder of Philly Pride 365
• Andre Carroll — Newly elected state representative
• David Fair — Pioneering LGBTQ+ activist and youth advocate
• Sappho Fulton — Executive director of Womxn Beyond Borders
• Alba Martinez — The City of Philadelphia’s Director of Commerce
• Angel Omelda — Consultant with the City of Philadelphia
• Bee Ruiz — Youth mentor and advocate
• Naiymah Sanchez — Trans justice coordinator for the ACLU of Pennsylvania
• Mark Segal — Publisher of Philadelphia Gay News
• Paul Steinke — Executive director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
• Tyrone Smith — Co-founder of UNITY, Inc.
“I and all of the honorees don’t do this work for the recognition, but it does feel nice to know others appreciate your work,” Landau noted. “For too long, so many LGBTQ+ leaders — especially people of color, trans leaders, youth advocates, and small business owners — have done the work without the spotlight. Seeing them celebrated, feeling their contributions acknowledged, and hearing their stories told is powerful.”
Landau hopes the event will be a new tradition that lasts for years to come. It’s an important opportunity to pause and reflect on how far the community has come over time and who has helped to advance LGBTQ+ causes. But, Landau emphasized, it’s also a call to action — “for all of us to lift as we lead, to nurture the next generation of leaders, and to remember that our work is far from over.”
“It’s not just about honoring the past but also inspiring the next generation to believe in their ability to lead and make change,” she said. “To every queer Philadelphian, especially those still finding their place in the world — you belong, your story matters, and you are seen.”
To see more photos of the LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame Awards, check out Scene In Philly.