Metro Weekly

Rainbow History Project announces its 2015 LGBT Community Pioneers

Rainbow flag

Rainbow History Project has announced their 2015 LGBT Community Pioneers, recognizing a dozen individuals for their contributions to the DC LGBT community.

Started fifteen years ago, Rainbow History Project offers the community an opportunity to thank those who have helped establish important institutions or made significant contributions to the overall lives of the District’s queer residents.

This year’s 2015 Community Pioneers are:

  • Jonathan Blumenthal and Eric Cohen, Founders of Burgundy Crescent Volunteers
  • Ruby Corado, Transgender activist and Founder of Casa Ruby
  • Wallace Corbett, AIDS educator
  • Kathleen DeBold, Mautner Project and Lambda Literary Awards Administrator
  • Atul Garg and Yassir Islam, Founders of KhushDC
  • Annette “Chi” Hughes, Founding Member of Sapphire Sapphos and AIDS educator
  • Susan Silber, Trailblazer in LGBT-friendly employment and family law in the DC area
  • Jill Strachan, Leader of local LGBT arts organizations
  • Michele Zavos, Groundbreaker in LGBT-friendly family and HIV/AIDS law in the DC area

RHP also will recognize the work of a deceased community ally, Annie Kaylor of Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse.

Thursday, May 14th, RHP will host a free reception at the Thurgood Marshall Center. A commemorative booklet featuring biographies and photos of each of this year’s Pioneers will be distributed, offering an insight into the work each has carried out for the community.

The Rainbow History Project’s LGBT Community Pioneers reception is Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Thurgood Marshall Center, 1816 12th St. NW.  Contact Chair Chuck Goldfarb at Chuck@rainbowhistory.org or 202-431-9139.