The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus announced Dr. Tara Jae (they/them) as the winner for the Julian Rush Community Impact Award! Now, we shall celebrate their accomplishment by understanding what that means.
Created in 2024, the award was based on Rev. Julian Rush, an out gay pastor who helped out the Colorado AIDS Project (now the Colorado Health Network). Ever since he passed away, the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus honored him by creating the award in his name.
Now, that honor and recognition has been passed onto Dr. Jae, who has certainly earned it.
According to Denver Gay Men’s Chorus, Dr. Jae is the founder and executive director of the company YouthSeen. YouthSeen is a nonprofit that helps queer kids by providing them safe, healing spaces through support groups and community-building activities. Dr. Jae also serves as the commissioner for the Office of Social Equity and co-founded Black Pride Colorado. Both organizations support Black and Brown queer people to make sure they’re seen, heard, and safe.
Dr. Jae and Rev. Rush, although both walking their own paths, embody the same goals to making changes for the better. It is about time Dr. Jae gets recognition for the aid they have provided us.
If Dr. Jae is reading this, thank you and all the people like you for helping us. I know it is extremely difficult to feel hopeful and optimistic because of our current environment. However, you still don’t let that restrict you and keep providing support anyway. Thank so much for being there for us and providing for those in need. You certainly deserve this award and honor.
Finally, if you want to continue celebrating, please support your fellow communities and maybe check out the YouthSeen organization and Black Pride to learn more about them. It would mean a lot to help out Dr. Jae’s organization for our community.
Photo courtesy of Tara Jae
