The History Project, Boston’s LGBTQ archives, is pleased to announce our 2020 HistoryMaker Awards honorees. This year’s HistoryMaker honorees are: Ms. Nancy Nangeroni, Dr. Kenneth Mayer, and Dr. Thea James. Awarded since 2009, the HistoryMaker Awards recognize community members and organizations who make history every day. 

Reenvisioned as a series of intimate online conversations, The History Project will present the 2020 HistoryMaker Awards individually throughout the month of October. Events will also include the two recipients of the Lavender Rhino Award. This year’s Lavender Rhino honorees are Chastity Bowick and Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts and Michael Cox. Named after one of the early symbols of the Gay Liberation movement, the Lavender Rhino Award is presented to emerging activists or organizations whose impact on the local LGBTQ community deserves recognition. 

“During this unprecedented year, we’re celebrating those who have made an impact on our community throughout LGBT History Month,” says Executive Director Joan Ilacqua. “The exciting part of this new format is that the community will be able to spend time with each honoree, learning more about their life and work than ever before.”

All October History Project HistoryMaker events are free and open to the public, but RSVPs are required through Eventbrite. Host Committee and Sponsorship opportunities are available, and donations are encouraged.
 

Thursday, October 1st at 7PM

Chastity Bowick is Executive Director of the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts. The Transgender Emergency Fund is the only organization dedicated to supporting low income and homeless Transgender individuals in Massachusetts. The Transgender Emergency Fund assists with homelessness prevention, shelter assistance, nutrition assistance, prescription co-pay assistance, transportation and escort to medical appointments.
 

Thursday, October 8th at 7PM

Ms. Nancy Nangeroni is an unmatched advocate for the trans community. From creating GenderTalk Radio and GenderVision, to organizing the Transgender Day of Remembrance, to her service as Chair of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, her activism has made history.
 

Thursday, October 15th at 7PM

Dr. Kenneth Mayer is founding Medical Research Director of Fenway Health and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute, and one of the first clinical researchers in Boston to see patients with HIV and AIDS. Throughout his career, he has made a significant impact by researching, mentoring, and teaching, and providing care to people living with HIV.
 

Thursday, October 22nd at 7PM

Dr. Thea James is Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine. She has dedicated her career to Public Health, equity, and community, and has made a significant impact addressing violence and trauma in communities. 
 

Thursday, October 29th at 7PM

Michael Cox is an advocate for prison abolition and LGBT prisoners in Massachusetts. He is the administrator for the Massachusetts Bail Fund, where he and his colleagues secure the release of over a hundred people each month. As Director of Policy for Black & Pink, Boston, he cultivates state and federal legislation that reduces incarceration and improves conditions of confinement.
 

About the HistoryMaker Award

The History Project has presented the HistoryMaker Award since 2009 to those whose lifetime achievements have had a significant and positive effect on Boston and Massachusetts' LGBTQ communities. Past recipients of the award include Congressman Barney Frank, State Representative Byron Rushing, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project director Mary Bonauto, BAGLY executive director Grace Sterling Stowell, Abe Rybeck from the Theater Offensive, journalist Susan Ryan-Vollmar, Larry Kessler of AIDS Action Committee, activist and community organizer Orlando Del Valle, and Mayor Denise Simmons. 
 

About the Lavender Rhino Award

Named after one of the early symbols of the Gay Liberation movement, the Lavender Rhino Award is presented to emerging activists or organizations whose impact on the local LGBTQ community deserves recognition. Previous Lavender Rhino honorees have included the LGBT Elders of Color, activist and organizer Corey Yarbrough, musician and composer Omar Thomas, and attorney Allison Wright.
 

About The History Project

The History Project is the only organization focused exclusively on documenting and preserving the history of New England’s LGBTQ communities and sharing that history with LGBTQ individuals, organizations, allies, and the public. Throughout the pandemic, The History Project has shifted its events, documentation, and archival access online. The organization offers free programming via Zoom several times per month, launched #QueerArchivesAtHome, a crowdsourced archives of queer experience and personal history, and has made accessible a new collection of Gay Community News photographs digitally.