Pride

Vancouver Pride 2017 season to launch with StandOut Awards

by Craig Takeuchi on May 17th, 2017 at 2:19 PM
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      In previous years, the Vancouver Pride season has launched with Eastside Pride. This year, the Vancouver Pride Society will launch the leadup to Pride Week with its annual awards on June 22.

      What's more, the awards have been overhauled. In previous years, they were presented as the Pride Legacy Awards, which are being relaunched as the StandOUT Awards.

      The categories have been revamped. As the Pride Legacy Awards, the seven categories were sexual health, lifetime achievement, sports, volunteer of the year, safe spaces, art, youth, and a trans-activist award.

      The only remaining categories are youth and the trans-activist award, which has been renamed.

      VPS co-executive director Andrea Arnot told the Georgia Straight that they found that the previous categories were so specific, with particular criteria, that it became difficult to obtain nominations in certain categories. As a result, they have decided to broaden the categories to invite more people to be recognized, particularly younger individuals.

      The six categories for the StandOUT Awards are:

      • business leader: for individuals who has advocated for LGBT  rights in the business sector or has worked to make a difference within the community as a business leader and ally
      • educator: for individuals who aim to teach the world about LGBT rights and issues or has inspired students to make a difference. This category is open to anyone who teaches, mentors, coaches, or strives to educate the public about LGBT rights
      • environment: for individuals within LGBT communities who strives to protect the environment or educate others about environmental issues
      • youth: for young leaders in LGBT communities who stand out among their peers
      • social activist: for individuals who uses their social capital to fight for LGBT rights in the digital realm or as public speakers, and have built a following to galvanize into action
      • Kimberly Nixon Trans Activist Contribution to Community Award: an award to recognize a transgender individual who has made significant contributions to progress in transgender rights or creating positive social change

      The awards will be presented at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre.

      Nominations can be made online until June 9. For more information about the awards event, visit this Facebook webpage.

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