As each year draws to a close, Philadelphia Gay News honors a few people who have made meaningful contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and have worked hard to advance queer rights and freedoms. This year’s Person of the Year is Sarah McBride — Delaware’s first openly trans legislator who is now the first openly trans person to be elected into a federal position. PGN is also recognizing Andre D. Carroll, Sapphira Cristál and the Out for Harris campaigners. Their efforts in 2024 to make the world just a little better for LGBTQ+ people will continue to have a positive impact over the years to come.
Andre D. Carroll
The second openly gay, Black state representative was elected to Pennsylvania’s General Assembly this year. Andre D. Carroll, who represents House District 201 — which includes parts of Germantown, East Germantown, West Oak Lane, Ogontz — hopes to use his position in leadership to address systemic inequity.
“Becoming the second openly gay, Black state representative, behind Malcolm Kenyatta, I want to say that Black history is queer history, and queer history is American history, and I am honored in this moment to be part of that,” Carroll previously told PGN. “You have to follow your heart and dreams, you have to lead with compassion, dignity and respect for others and that is how we move America forward.”
Carroll now represents a community he grew up in and lives in the same home he once shared with his grandmother who raised him as a single parent due to his mother’s substance abuse and his father’s incarceration.
Carroll is passionate about empowering young people and aims to protect the one remaining high school in his district after watching his own alma mater close. As a college dropout who was only able to return to school once he was on a better financial footing, he knows first-hand the negative impact costly tuition can have on setting and achieving goals.
Before his time in the legislature, Carroll was actively involved in grassroots organizing and advocacy work — which offered him insight into the barriers that prevent marginalized people from doing what they want with their lives and helped him carve out a path toward advocating for them within leadership.
“As a working-class person, I understand the dire need to have the government serve folks when they need it the first time,” Carroll said. “I will be a representative for folks in that community.”
He sees pieces of his own story reflected in the lives of people who haven’t yet found ways to thrive within their own challenging circumstances. His own hardships and his personal connection to the community he serves has informed his legislative priorities — particularly improving initiatives for older Philadelphians, healthcare access, justice system reform, youth and education, and other aspects of life that are especially impacted by economic disparities.
Sapphira Cristál
Philadelphia’s Crown Jewel, drag performer Sapphira Cristál, didn’t take the top prize when she competed on Season 16 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” — but she did introduce viewers to Philadelphia’s warm embrace.
The finalist, a runner-up who was crowned Miss Congeniality, spoke at a City Hall event that honored her as an LGBTQ+ leader and role model. During her speech, she asked those gathered to wrap their arms around themselves in an act of self-love and repeat the motto she often says to herself, “I truly love and accept myself.”
Cristál, who is originally from Texas, also told about her experiences in other cities and the struggles she endured along her way to Philly — including family stress and homelessness.
“But when I got to Philadelphia, it was the first time I felt like I was back home,” she said.
“This is the true home of the free,” she emphasized.
Cristál’s love for Philly was reflected back at her by the city’s leaders who recognized her authenticity and talent — and her fans, who appreciate her genuine spirit.
Cristál previously reigned as Miss’d America 2020-2021 — a coveted winner of Atlantic City’s legendary drag pageant — and was Philadelphia Magazine’s 2023 “Best Drag Queen of the Year Who Actually Sings.”
Before joining the cast of “Drag Race,” she’d been performing in drag for 25 years and had auditioned for the show 11 times. While she competed, Cristál achieved numerous accolades — including making “herstory” as the first contestant to win three consecutive maxi challenges. She also won the first episode’s challenge by showing off not only a flashy costume but also her six-octave vocal range in an operatic performance.
She also showcased the work of nearly a dozen Philadelphia artists who created her over-the-top outfits for the season — including elaborate dresses that showed off her curvy silhouette, sky-high headpieces paired with formal gowns, and a flowing skirt that transformed during a quick-change moment for dancing in the finale.
“We should celebrate Sapphira tomorrow, throughout the summer, and for 365 days of the year of every year going forward,” said Tyrell Brown, executive director of Galaei. “And that also means celebrating not just the performance. It’s not just about celebrating the beauty. It’s also about celebrating the people, who we are, when all of that is stripped away — who we exactly are as community members, neighbors, friends, family.”
Out for Harris Campaigners
What started as an initiative focused on re-electing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Out for Harris initiative launched a nationwide movement in Philadelphia with events hosted by local LGBTQ+ political leaders — including Councilmember Rue Landau, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, State Rep. Andre D. Carroll, among others.
“There’s so much at stake for the LGBTQ+ community — for our families, our freedoms, our futures,” Landau previously told PGN.
Later, the campaign embraced Harris at the top of the ticket with a new VP, Tim Walz — and Democratic volunteers got to work on behalf of the new team. Days after the announcement, 1100 LGBTQ+ celebrities, influencers and activists announced their support in a united message.
The Out for Harris campaigners held a press conference and pep rally in October to invigorate LGBTQ+ voters and recognized volunteers who worked throughout the city on behalf of the movement.
“I didn’t get involved in politics because I hated anybody,” said Kenyatta at the event. “I got involved in public life because there was somebody I loved — because they deserve to get a fairer deal and a fairer shot that every single one of us deserves.”
He and other LGBTQ+ leaders launched a month of actions with a ten-day, nonstop tour of events across Pennsylvania — working together on canvassing efforts, phone banking and other grunt work as well as hosting major entertainment events to reach potential voters.
Prominent Pennsylvania leaders and activists who participated in the initiative include Jacen Bowman, Jason Landau Goodman, Dena Stanley, and other LGBTQ+ advocates who worked tirelessly in the final month before Election Day. Even high-profile performers took part in Pennsylvania’s get-out-the-vote events.
Before the election, polling data showed the power of LGBTQ+ voters — noting that the queer community had the numbers to tip swing states, including Pennsylvania, in favor of Harris. Exit polls showed at least 86% of people who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender voted for Harris — gaining more support from LGBTQ+ people than any other previous candidate.