The History Project invites you to celebrate Boston’s LGBTQ history and to join us as we recognize the community members and organizations who make history every day. Throughout October, on Thursday evenings, we’ll be celebrating three history-makers and two up-and-coming honorees by holding five separate virtual conversations. You’ll hear them describe their personal histories in their own words, and have an opportunity to ask questions or share your own recollections of them.

The 2020 honorees and events are:

• October 1st at 7pm: 2020 Lavender Rhino Honoree Chastity Bowick from the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts - Recording available on YouTube
• October 8th at 7pm: 2020 HistoryMaker Awardee Nancy Nangeroni - Recording Available on YouTube
• October 15th at 7pm: 2020 HistoryMaker Awardee Dr. Ken Mayer - Recording Available on YouTube
• October 22nd at 7pm: 2020 HistoryMaker Awardee Dr. Thea James - Recording Available on YouTube
• October 29th at 7pm: 2020 Lavender Rhino Honoree Michael Cox - Recording Available on YouTube

The HistoryMaker Award has been presented since 2009 to those whose lifetime achievements have had a significant and positive effect on Boston and Massachusetts' LGBTQ communities. Past recipients of this award include Congressman Barney Frank, State Representative Byron Rushing, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project director Mary Bonauto, longtime 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 activist and Mayor Denise Simmons.

Named after one of the early symbols of the Gay Liberation movement, the Lavender Rhino Award is presented to an emerging activist or organization 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, attorney Allison Wright, and Rev. Mary Martha Thiel and Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow of the LGBTQ Seniors Initiative at Hebrew SeniorLife. 

Community Curator
Kevin Hepner

Direct Action Documenter
Bruce Bell and George Smart | Nan Dumas
Neal Kane & Charles Schoonmaker | Stewart Landers
Russell Lopez & Andrew Sherman

Underground Historian
Libby Bouvier & Andrea Devine
Andrew Elder & J. Ricardo McFaline-Figueroa, MD, PhD
Jim Gibson | Pat Gozemba & Karen Kahn
Tony Grima & Peter Muise | Joan Ilacqua & Sarah Marina
Marvin Kabakoff | Mark Krone | Louise Rice | Susan Ryan-Vollmar Martha Stone | Jessica Taylor | Kenneth Turino & Christopher Mathias

Friend of The History Project
John Affuso | David Aronstein | Harry Collings | Robin Goldstein
R. Scott Hawkins | Malcolm Hamilton | Robb Johnson | John Kyper | Gordene MacKenzie
Stanley Mayer | Jessica Mink | Aileen Montour | Stephanie Mitchell | Jeff Nusbaum | Rochelle Ruthchild
Grace Sterling Stowell | Rev. Mary Martha Thiel | Steven Zinner

With thanks to our Marquee Sponsor Eastern Bank and to our Buddies Sponsor Mass Bail Fund

Host Committee and Sponsorship Opportunities are available.