We’re just one month away from One Colorado’s annual Prism Awards, formerly the Ally Awards, which honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the lives of LGBTQ people in Colorado. The gala is held in the Denver Art Museum and will include a cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and more. This year’s awards will honor four recipients: Commissioner Daneya Esgar, Summit School District, Ashley Cornelius, and TRUE Center for Gender Diversity.
Daneya Esgar holds a number of distinctions in her political career, the latest being that she is currently the first openly lesbian commissioner in Pueblo County. She was also the first lesbian to hold the position of House Speaker in the Colorado State Legislature. She was instrumental in passing many bills that benefitted the LGBTQ community including Marlo’s Law which provides better security for LGBTQ families. She has also worked to end conversion therapy in the state and to make it easier for transgender people to change over their identity documents in Colorado.
The Summit School District is being honored for the unanimous resolution in Fall of 2022 from their District Board of Education to urge the State Board of Education to include LGBTQ and BIPOC historical contributions in the social studies curriculum. The TRUE Center is being honored for being the only comprehensive care center in the Rocky Mountain Region for transgender youth.
Ashley Cornelius is a poet, therapist, and community leader in Colorado Springs. She’s the sixth Poet Laureate for the Pikes Peak Region and co-director of Poetry 719, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor and manager of RESTORE at Denver Health. She is being honored for using her poetry to speak up for all marginalized groups and for creating inclusive environments for, amongst others, LGBTQ people.
You can find more information about the gala and ordering tickets here. Those who can’t afford the price of admission might be able to volunteer or find other financial assistance by emailing development@one-colorado.org.
Photo courtesy of Twitter
