Heroes Gala Presented By Hilton

Capital Pride's Heroes Gala presented by Hilton Worldwide and hosted by DCHistory, honors outstanding individuals, leaders, and activists who have furthered the causes important to the LGBTA community in the national capital region and beyond. Don your elegant attire and join us for an evening inside the iconic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Musical entertainment will be provided by pop singer and songwriter Jeffery Austin, a finalist on the television competition The Voice. In addition to a classy location, great entertainment, enticing food-tasting stations, and a classic open bar, this year we may have a trick or two up our sleeves. AND - if you are in the mood to travel, we'll have a "Magical Suitcase Drawing," where for the price of a $10 ticket, lucky winners will receive a suitcase...not just an ordinary suitcase, but one filled with hotel accommodations, airfare, and few luxury goods to add to your travel comfort and fun!! More details to come. $75 - General Admission. $100 - Heroes Package includes General Admission plus 4 Magical Suitcase Drawing Tickets (you save $15). The Heroes Gala is generously presented by Hilton and hosted by the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. at the Carnegie Library. Thank you to our other generous Gala Sponsors: MGM National Harbor, Capital One, Coldwell Banker Dupont/Logan, Yours Truly Lighting and Decor, Jackson Pro Audio, Heineken, Stoli Vodka, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, CRAVE Restaurant, Mason Dixie Biscuit Co., Asia Nine Bar & Lounge and more to be announced soon! 2016 AWARD RECIPIENTS The Paving the Way Award honors those in public life who have shown courage and leadership in helping to advance the cause of LGBT rights. •The Honorable Eric K. Fanning Capital Pride Heroes are dedicated individuals whose body of work has had a positive, significant, and lasting impact on the LGBTA community.: •Bishop Allyson Abrams – Presiding bishop Pneuma Christian Fellowship, founder of the Empowerment Liberation Cathedral, social justice advocate •Kathleen Matthews – LGBTQ advocate, human rights activist, journalist, TV news anchor, VP Global Communications at Marriott International, Congressional candidate •Rayceen Pendarvis – HIV/AIDS activist, host of “The Ask Rayceen Show,” emcee of multiple DC Black Pride festivals and events, volunteer, equality advocate, openly gay ANC commissioner •Peter Rosenstein – LGBTA rights activist, racial justice champion, CEO of national associations in healthcare and education, member of multiple nonprofit boards Engendered Spirits are those individuals who have made significant contributions to the transgender community. They will also be honored at the 2016 Capital Trans Pride on May 21st: •Julius Agers – Two-spirited, transgender activist, volunteer for numerous nonprofit •Jeri Hughes – Human rights advocate, volunteer, marriage equality and DADT repeal activist The Bill Miles Award The Bill Miles Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service acknowledges exemplary contributions to the annual Capital Pride celebration. Bill Miles, Ed.D. was a dedicated volunteer and contributor to Capital Pride and an active member of the DC LGBT community. He was a founding member of the Capital Pride Alliance: •Chelsea Bland – labor union and LGBTQ rights activist, volunteer co-producer at Capital Pride for Volunteers •Michael Creason – volunteer sign language interpreter for Capital Pride and multiple LGBTA organizations, producer at Capital Pride for Accessibility