PERSON OF THE YEAR – Nominees
Rachelle Hill
Rachelle Hill is an intersex trans broadcaster, producer and community advocate whose work with Pride Radio Canada, Trans Radio UK, and CBC Radio 1 amplifies queer, trans and Canadian stories across media.
Dev Banfield
Banfield holds a journalism diploma from Seneca Polytechnic, an Honours BA from Ontario Tech University, and is pursuing an MA in Women and Gender Studies. Over eight years, she has reported in Calgary, Toronto, and London, England, covering topics that are important to women, BIPOC and Queer communities.
Moe Akel
Moe Akel is an award-winning executive and life coach, board director, community health leader, LGBTQ+ advocate, and Public Appointee to Ontario’s Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS, recognized for advancing equity, inclusion, leadership, and wellbeing across diverse communities.
Gil Segev
Gil Segev is an articling student, award-winning drag entertainer, and community advocate dedicated to advancing inclusion through education. Gil builds bridges between communities using the arts, and champions meaningful dialogue to drive positive change.
Devon Lewis
Devon Lewis is a first-generation Canadian artist, educator, and community leader who has spent more than two decades using arts and recreation to create belonging and inspire positive change. Beginning his career as a professional dancer at age ten, his creative journey has taken him from Toronto stages and film sets to London’s Ballroom community, with work spanning choreography, television, live performance, mentorship, Canada’s Drag Race, and the Toronto Raptors Pride Halftime Show. As a Youth Program Coordinator with the City of Toronto, Devon has helped develop inclusive programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, including the Drag Masterclass and Kiki Ballroom Program. He also serves as House Mother of the International House of Mulan and mentors young people in Toronto and internationally. Across his work, Devon remains committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
YOUTH OF THE YEAR – Nominees
Diva Newbold
Diva Siriano is a 12 year old author, performer, actress, gamer and trans girl. Diva is the youngest person in Canada to win grand prize at a ball and the youngest person in Canada to win “Most Outstanding Fem Queen”.
Sophie Mills
Sophie Mills is a non-binary youth activist set on advocating for marginalized and vulnerable communities, specifically 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples. Even in the face of mayoral censorship, Sophie perseveres, showing youth that they are powerful and can change the world.
Gurleen Kaur
An outstanding student leader who fosters inclusive spaces by leading their school’s first GSA and creating queer-youth peer networks. A versatile changemaker, they drive community spirit as Art Club co-president, and a senior dance team choreographer and media manager.
Jana Randhawa
I’ve been out at school and I’m part of the GSA, I’ve have helped with letting people know that there is a safe space in the school, through events like club fair and tours for feeder schools.
POSITIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – Nominees
VIGYL
VIGYL is a Toronto-based queer-led scent and design studio crafting sensory objects that celebrate identity, creativity, and self-expression. Through collaborations with queer creatives and charitable initiatives supporting organizations like Rainbow Railroad, VIGYL transforms everyday design into meaningful community impact.
Gender Gear
GenderGear.ca is a worker-owned co-operative owned-and-operated by queer, trans* and non-binary folks! We’re here to make finding gender gear simple, easy, and affordable. We wear, read, and use all of the stuff we stock and we only carry products we truly love!
Bluebird Laser Hair Removal
Bluebird laser hair removal is made up of 6 transgender women whose purpose is to provide exceptional care and support for our fellow trans siblings. We come to work every day with the goal of improving the lives of trans people in Toronto.
The Churchmouse: A Ferkin Pub
The Churchmouse has been a beloved mainstay of the Church Wellesley neighbourhood for 23 years. Not just a pub with delicious food and tasty beverages, we have supported numerous foundations such as Fife House Sick Kids Hospital along the way.
Friendly Stranger
Since 1994, Friendly Stranger has been a champion of cannabis in Canada. We are devoted to activism, community and culture. Friendly Stranger is more than a store, it’s a place for those seeking an environment that inspires unity, advocacy, and acceptance. Where others see customers, we see friends.
INSPIRING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR – Nominees
George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre
The George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre is a vibrant, inclusive community hub located in the heart of the Junction Triangle. Dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, we offer a wide range of free and low-cost programs that foster connection, empowerment, and well-being.
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations
We see a strong, healthy, and self-determining 2-Spirit community in Ontario where 2-Spirit peoples live with pride in their Indigenous heritages, values and roles in our communities. We see 2-Spirit peoples as continuing to celebrate our strengths and supporting community members to live with physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
QueerTech
QueerTech is a national nonprofit advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, workforce development, and economic empowerment in Canada’s tech ecosystem through community building, career development, entrepreneurship, partner engagement, innovation, and research, removing barriers while connecting and empowering queer professionals to thrive and lead.
UBUNTU Toronto
Ubuntu: Black Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Collective creates community-driven programs providing safe spaces, gender-affirming resources, and advocacy for Black Trans+ people with intersecting identities across Toronto.
UPlift Black
UPlift Black is a Black and 2SLGBTQI+ led Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion in Simcoe County. We empower 2SLGBTQI+ artists, youth, newcomers, and entrepreneurs through our award-winning Artist Collective, You Belong Here settlement program, Accelerate Your Proud Business accelerator, and social inclusion initiatives.
CANADA’S INSPIRING PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD – Recipient
Amelia Marie Newbert
Amelia Newbert is the Co-Founder of the Skipping Stone Foundation which supports Two-Spirit, trans, and gender diverse Albertans. An educator, researcher, and human rights advocate, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her contributions to 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada.
Renée Yoxon
Renée Yoxon is a Montréal-based gender-affirming voice teacher. Through accessible online courses, social media, and a global community, they help trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people around the world explore, shape, and claim a voice that feels like home.
Jordyn Angeconeb
Jordyn Angeconeb is a Two Spirit activist, entrepreneur, and drag artist residing in Sioux Lookout, ON. They are a member of Lac Seul First Nation. Jordyn has been recognized locally and nationally for their advocacy work. They were the 2024 Toronto Pride Two Spirit Ambassador, and a recipient of the 2026 Sioux Lookout Truth & Reconciliation “Arts & Entertainment” Award.
Brent Saccucci
Brent Saccucci is a queer teacher-educator, scholar, and former school-district equity consultant specializing in 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion. At the University of Lethbridge, Brent teaches courses in gender and sexuality in education and leads the Social Change in Schools Cohort. Recently, Brent wrote an open-access textbook “Gender & Sexuality in Education” to combat misinformation of 2SLGBTQ+ groups in schools.
Shawnee Kish
Shawnee Kish is a Mohawk, Two-Spirit artist whose music and leadership have helped redefine representation in Canada. Through fearless authenticity, advocacy, and community engagement, she continues to inspire people of all ages to embrace who they are and believe they belong
LUX AWARD FOR THE ARTS – Recipient
Brad Fraser
Brad is an award winning writer, director, and performer. His works include “Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love”, “Poor Super Man” and “Kill Me Now”, to name only a few, which have been produced by theatres around the world, in numerous languages.
ONLINE CHANGEMAKER AWARD – Recipient
Myles Sexton
Myles Sexton is a non-binary, multi-talented Creative Director, stylist, makeup artist, and podcast host. As a prominent fashion activist and style expert, they have collaborated with major global brands, worked with iconic celebrities, and received a 2022 CAFA Digital Fashion Creator Award for their impactful contributions to the industry.
PWA CHARLES ROY AWARD FOR ACTIVISM IN HIV/AIDS – Recipient
Mark Keller
Mark’s show, POZ, written for the Toronto Fringe Festival, details his life as an HIV positive person dealing with relationships, medication, and stigma. At the festival it won Best New Play, Patron’s Pick, and was Toronto Star’s Critic’s Pick.
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – Recipient
Dr. Stephanie Johnsson
Dr. Stephanie Jonsson co-founded the Open Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN) to address challenges 2SLGBTQIA+ communities faced accessing online services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Jonsson is committed to empowering our communities to use the internet safely and confidently.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Recipients
Jeremy Dias
Jeremy Dias transformed a landmark human rights settlement into a lifelong crusade for equity. Founder of the Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity and International Day of Pink, his pioneering work has educated millions and reshaped 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion across Canada.
Sum Wong
Sum Wong (DJ Sumation), owner of Sumation Entertainment Inc., is an international DJ with over 25 years of experience. A community leader and award winner, Sum blends diverse genres to provide safe spaces and visibility for queer Asian talent.
HONORARY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Recipients
Eve Zaremba
Eve Zaremba was a feisty trailblazing activist writer born in Poland who created the first lesbian detective Helen Keremos. A founder of LOOT, WAVAW, and Broadside, Eve shared her life with Ottie Lockey for 47 years.
Fontaine
Fontaine is a longtime Toronto drag legend whose remarkable career reaches back to the 1960s. After first appearing at the 511 near the legendary St. Charles Tavern, she became part of a generation of performers who helped build Toronto’s drag community and queer nightlife. Following a ten-year break from drag to raise her three children, Fontaine returned to the stage with DQ ’88 and went on to spend more than 40 years performing and fundraising for the community. Her career has included numerous drag titles, headlining Cornwall Pride, representing Pizza Pizza in Toronto’s Pride Parade for a decade, appearances in Seeing Things and documentaries including Take Me to the Prom, and even opening for Alannah Myles. Through decades of performance, fundraising and community involvement, Fontaine has remained part of Toronto’s queer history and, in her own words, “What the world needs now is love.”
INTERNATIONAL ICON AWARD
Brooke Lynn Hytes
Known as the “Queen of the North,” Brooke Lynn Hytes is one of Canada’s most internationally recognized drag artists. A classically trained dancer and graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, her career has taken her from professional ballet stages around the world to becoming a celebrated drag performer and Miss Continental titleholder. In 2019, Brooke Lynn made history as the first Canadian contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, reaching the Season 11 finale. She later became a host and permanent judge of Canada’s Drag Race, helping showcase the extraordinary talent, diversity, and creativity of Canadian drag to audiences worldwide. Through her artistry, visibility, and international success, Brooke Lynn continues to break barriers and help redefine what is possible for Canadian drag artists on the world stage.