(New York, NY, June 15, 2021)... On June 24, 2021, The International Imperial Courts of the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico and the National LGBTQ Task Force will again come together to honor LGBTQ pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes at the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the historic Stonewall Inn on Thursday, June 24.
A reminder of those who paved the way, The National LGBTQ Wall of Honor was first dedicated on June 27, 2019, featuring an inaugural 50 activists and leaders in the LGBTQ community, including James Baldwin, Stormé DeLarverie, Edith "Edie" Windsor, and Slyvia Rivera, among other incredible changemakers. As the 2020 honorees were not able to be put on the wall due to the pandemic, they will be added this year alongside the 2021 honorees.
"In honoring LGBTQ pioneers, trailblazers and heroes, every year on this National LGBTQ Wall of Honor we remember upon whose shoulders we stand on and acknowledge our community's history", said International Imperial Courts Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez.
The event will honor the rich and vibrant history of the LGBTQ liberation movement, bringing together three pillars of the community. Established in 1965, The International Imperial Courts of the U.S.A, Canada, and Mexico is the oldest LGBTQ organization in North America, and the National LGBTQ Task Force is the oldest national LGBTQ advocacy organization. These long-standing organizations coming together at the historic Stonewall Inn gives a sense of time and scope to the present and future of LGBTQ rights and liberation.
Cathy Renna—communications director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, and who will be speaking at the event—said: "This past year has been a testament to the strength and resilience of our community, and recognizing these pioneers and icons exemplifies those same qualities. The Task Force is thrilled to be a partner in honoring those who came before us, the trailblazers who organized, advocated and rose up, living authentically and unapologetically."
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on June 24 at the Stonewall Inn. Due to public health and safety precautions, it will be a short ceremony and private event in which the 10 names are added to the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor.
The 2021 Honorees are:
Ivy Bottini, activist for women's rights and LGBTQ rights and visual artist
Carmen Vazquez, immigrant rights activist, public policy expert, and writer
Ruth Ellis, oldest surviving out lesbian at age 101, having come out in 1915
Jimmy Pisano, opened his first bar in the original Stonewall space, eventually changing the name back to Stonewall
Monica Roberts, founding editor of TransGriot, a blog focusing on issues facing Black trans women and other trans women of color
The 2020 Honorees were:
Phyllis Lyon, founder of first lesbian organization, Daughters of Billitis in 1955.
Sean Sasser, AIDS activist, educator and reality television personality.
Lorena Borjas, trans and immigrant rights activist, Mother of trans Latinx community of Queens.
Aimee Stephens, her historic court case paved the way for LGBTQ non-discrimination protections in employment.
Larry Kramer, playwright, author, LGBT and AIDS activist, founder of Gay Men's Health Crisis.
More information:
In 1965, Jose Sarria proclaimed herself the Empress of San Francisco, and laid the foundation for the formation of the Imperial Court de San Francisco. Today, the International Court System (ICS) has over 65 chapters in the United States, Canada and Mexico, making us the second largest GLBT organization in the world. On October 23rd, 2015 The International Imperial Court System celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a gala state dinner, The Golden Jubilee in Portland, Oregon, headed by the Titular Head of the International Imperial Court System, Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole Murray Ramirez. internationalcourtsystem.org
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice, and equity for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we've made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. For more information go to www.thetaskforce.org .
