The Capital Pride Alliance Announces Honorees of 2025 Capital Pride Honors
Nine LGBTQ+ leaders and SMYAL will be honored at the annual ceremony on June 5
Washington, DC (June 3, 2025) -- The Capital Pride Alliance is proud to announce the awardees for the 2025 Capital Pride Honors, presented by Giant, on Friday, June 5. The recipients are nominated each year by members of the community. Every year, the Capital Pride Alliance acknowledges outstanding individuals, leaders, and activists in the National Capital Region who have furthered causes important to the LGBTQ+ community. This year, 9 LGBTQ+ leaders and Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) will be honored at the red carpet style gala that will take place at the National Building Museum from 7pm to 11pm. The evening will include live music and entertainment, food and drinks, and a formal awards ceremony, with presentations by influential trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community. Special guests include Amber Ruffin, Shoshana Bean, Sawyer Smith "Hedwig", Gay America Esquire Kristofer Inez Onyx, Miss Gay America Ivy Dripp, Miss Gay America Femme Naomi St. James, Raven Symoné, DJ Kitty Glitter, Paul Wharton, and Cheer DC. Tickets are available to purchase here.
“The Capital Pride Alliance is proud to continue our tradition of honoring individuals, leaders, and activists dedicated to fighting for LGBGTQ+ rights for all of us. The honorees chosen this year exemplify their dedication to advocacy, outreach, education, and programming in support of the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for equality,” shares Ryan Bos, Executive Director of the Capital Pride Alliance.
The below awards will be presented to the following individuals:
The Heroes Award recognizes individuals who have brought about positive changes and furthered the causes important to the LGBTQ+ community in the National Capital Region.
Cathy Reena - Cathy Reena is the Director of Communications for the National LGBTQ Task Force. Cathy is one of the most influential LGBTQ media professionals in the country. Since her time at The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) through the 1990s, Cathy has executed her expertise in crisis and strategic communications, playing a central role in shaping nearly all major issues affecting the LGBTQ community.
Jerry St. Louis - Jerry St. Louis is a licensed independent clinical social worker, certified sex therapist, and community advocate. Jerry’s career has been rooted in serving marginalized populations. His work as a queer sexual health educator and the founder of Of Colors Healing, LLC has been instrumental in addressing the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those from Black and Brown communities.
Ernest Hopkins - Ernest Hopkins is the last living co-founder of the inaugural Black Gay and Lesbian Pride Day in 1991, an event that has played a pivotal role in funding essential services for HIV/AIDS patients and has led to Black Pride events being established nationally and internationally. Professionally, Ernest is a prominent HIV/AIDS activist who has started programs that have had a significant impact to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS especially in the Black Gay community.
Lamar Braithwaite - Lamar Braithwaite is a real estate agent and community leader who brings amazing energy, joy and dedication to every role he plays in the Greater Washington LGTBQ+ community. He has served as an active volunteer and now Board Chair of SMYAL, which operates the largest housing, mental health, and social support services for LGBTQ+ youth in the DMV region.
Pastor Donna Claycomb Sokol - Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Pastor of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, has made a significant impact on the lives of the LGBTQ+ community with her courageous decision to perform same-sex marriages when they were banned by the United Methodist Church. As a leading figure in urban church renewal, Rev. Sokol’s embrace of the LGBTQ+ community has served as an example to other churches nationwide seeking become fully inclusive.
The Visibility Award recognizes an individual who or organization that has outstanding advocates, activists, and supporters of the transgender and non-binary community.
Gia Chanel Marius (Nova Salud) - Gia Martinez has made profound contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, especially for transgender Latinas, through her unwavering dedication and transformative efforts. As a transgender woman of Peruvian origin, Gia has become a beacon of hope and support, addressing critical issues faced by her local community and beyond.
The Larry Stansbury Award for Exemplary Contributions to Pride acknowledges outstanding efforts related to programs and initiatives of the annual Capital Pride Alliance or Pride movement.
SMYAL - For more than 40 years, SMYAL has served as a beacon of hope and empowerment for thousands of LGBTQ+ youth in the Washington metro area. SMYAL supports and empowers LGBTQ+ youth and actively works to create a world where queer and trans youth thrive through affirming programs and services designed to develop critical life skills, build community, and foster a sense of belonging.
The Bill Miles Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service acknowledges exemplary contributions to the Capital Pride Alliance, its programs, initiatives or other Pride sponsored activities.
Kraig Williams- Kraig Williams began volunteering with the Capital Pride Alliance in 2023, driven by a desire to engage with the community in an inclusive manner, and forge connections with individuals who share his commitment to making a positive difference in the LGBTQIA+ community. Kraig is currently Vice-President of Finance and Program Events for Project Briggs, Inc., a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to foster urban initiatives, cultural events, and activities that cater to a variety of communities.
The Breaking Barriers: Community Impact Award acknowledges an individual or organization who has demonstrated a significant impact to the LGBTQ+ community at either the local or national level and who has helped eliminate barriers for social, personal, or professional growth of the LGBTQ+ community.
Kriston Pumphrey - Kriston Pumphrey founded Colorfest, an annual conference for Deaf LGBTQIA+ students at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Gallaudet University. Beyond Colorfest, Kriston has been a leader in organizing events and workshops that support both the broader Deaf LGBTQIA+ community and BIPOC LGBTQIA+ individuals.
For more information about the honorees and tickets please visit here. Media can find press broll and images here. Please credit courtesy of Capital Pride Alliance.
About The Capital Pride Alliance
The Capital Pride Alliance (CPA), located in Washington, DC, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community all year long, through educational programs, major events, fundraising, outreach and advocacy, providing platforms for visibility, and supporting the work of our many community organizations and local businesses.
About WorldPride DC 2025
WorldPride DC 2025, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, will take place in the heart of the nation’s capital from May 17 to June 8, 2025. The global celebration will feature two weeks of parades, festivals, marches, exhibits, and cultural programming. For more information, visit www.worldpridedc.org.
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