The Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition recognized half a dozen trailblazers and community champions with awards at its 2023 Gayla on Saturday evening.
Held at Tellus 360 with the “glam galactic” theme Stardust Rhapsody, the event featured cocktails, dinner and a dance party, followed by an afterparty at the coalition’s community center, The Loop.
Awardees were as follows:
- State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El: Starfield Award, recognizing a local advocate improving the lives of the LGBTQ+ community;
- Evita Colon & Solise White, co-owners of A Concrete Rose: Aurora Award, recognizing creatives who illuminate the LGBTQ+ experience;
- Kearasten Jordan, artist and activist: Incandescent Protostar Award, recognizing young, emerging LGBTQ+ advocates;
- Naiymah Sanchez, trans justice coordinator at ACLU PA; and Corinne Goodwin, founder and executive director of the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project: Legendary Supernova Award, recognizing long-term sustained achievement in LGBTQ+ advocacy.