About the INSPIRE Awards

The honourees in each category are considered through community nominations and selected by a Jury Panel formed of representatives of the INSPIRE Awards Board of Directors, Presenting and Community Partners, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Celebrations take place at an annual gala summer event.

Person of the Year Award

An inspiring person who has significantly improved the quality of life in the LGBTQ2S+ community as well as the broader community. This award recognizes an individual’s achievement in furthering the causes important to the LGBTQ2S+ community, such as eliminating discrimination and homophobia and advancing civil rights for the LGBTQ2S+ community in our region, but will also recognize achievements in social justice and humanitarian work.

Accenture Innovator of the Year

The Innovator of the Year Award honours an individual for their achievements and contributions within the science and technology sectors to promote diversity, improve lives and raise awareness about LGBTQ2S+ issues.

Youth of the Year Award

An inspiring youth who has excelled in improving the lives and visibility of the LGBTQ2S+ community, especially with regards to LGBTQ2S+ Youth. The award acknowledges the youth’s accomplishments and the contributions they have made to their communities, whether be it in their homes, schools, athletic or academic teams, or other social groups.

This individual should have a consistent and significant list of contributions to the LGBTQ2S+ community and is a role model for youth. This youth is a leader of today who shows a promise for the future, is out, and have made a difference by overcoming obstacles in their own lives, or by working on projects that have benefited their community.

LUX Award for the Arts

There are many amazing LGBTQ2S+ people have lit the creative path for others to follow. There are those who have shared their creative vision and voice, and those who have worked behind the scenes supporting the creative dream. Named after a unit of light, the LUX Award is given to a Canadian LGBTQ2S+ Person who made a significant contribution to the arts during their lifetime.

Positive Business of the Year Award

An inspiring LGBTQ2S+ or LGBTQ2S+ positive business that is leading the way with a soaring entrepreneurial spirit; this spirit is demonstrated by the business performance and innovation. The business and their owners must promote equality, above average customer service, and must contribute to the LGBTQ2S+ community with initiatives throughout the year. The award is open to any size business.

Lifetime Achievement Award

When you spend your entire life working tirelessly on behalf of our community, you deserve huge applause. Two individuals will be honoured each year. The honours will go to those who made significant contributions to better the lives of others in the LGBTQ2S+ community over an entire career or a lifetime rather than a single act or short-term contribution.

A stunning trophy representing the fire that burns within us to be the best we can be will be awarded to the recipients on behalf of the organization, our partners, and the community.

Inspiring Community Organization of the Year Award

An inspiring not-for-profit or charity organization operating in the LGBTQ2S+ community that has should leadership and visions, maybe celebrating a milestone, or has launched effective programs over the year period. Our LGBTQ2S+ community is championed by many wonderful and inspiring organizations and we hope over the many years to come we will get to honour as many of these organizations as we can.

The Charles Roy Award for Activism in HIV/AIDS+

The Charles Roy Award for Activism in HIV/AIDS will be an annual award honoring an individual who has made significant contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The recipients will be chosen through nominations which will be promoted by the HIV/AIDS organizations in Toronto, Peel, York Region, and Durham Region, as well as open to the public, and voted on by the INSPIRE Awards Board of Directors, under the supervision of the Nominations & Procedures Committee.