2023 HistoryMaker Awards
Join us as we recognize the community members and organizations who make history every day.
The 2023 HistoryMaker Awards will recognize the outstanding lifetime commitment and impact of Gary Bailey. Dr. Bailey is a social work leader and educator, a longtime advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS, and an activist for Black and LGBTQ+ rights. Dr. Bailey’s unwavering dedication to social justice has left an indelible mark on the lives of numerous LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, people of color, and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
The History Project is pleased to announce the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as the 2023 Lavender Rhino Awardee! Named after one of the early symbols of the Gay Liberation movement, the Lavender Rhino Award is presented to an activist or organization whose current efforts are making history for the LGBTQ+ community. The History Project is proud to recognize the Sisters' invaluable contributions to creating queer-welcoming space in Boston, and to honor their efforts to protect queer freedom of expression, individuality, and joy.
The 2023 HistoryMaker Awards will take place in person at the St. Botolph Club, 199 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. There is a stairway to enter the club, an accessible entrance is available. Please call 617-536-7570 for staff assistance with the accessible entrance.
A printed ticket is not required for entry, we will have a roster of attendees at our check-in desk. The reception will begin at 6PM. Our program and awards ceremony will begin at 7:30PM.
Please note that masking is encouraged for this event, but not required. If you are not comfortable attending in person for any reason, a recording of the awards ceremony portion of the evening will be available on our YouTube (with CC) for asynchronous viewing afterwards.
Can't attend but want to support The History Project? Donate here.
With thanks to our 2023 Host Committee
Community Curator - Kevin Hepner
Direct Action Documenters - Pat Gozemba & Karen Kahn | Russ Lopez & Andrew Sherman
Proud Preservationist - Andrew Elder & Jose Ricky McFaline-Figueroa
Underground Historians - Tony Grima & Peter Muise | Richard Iandoli | Marvin Kabakoff | Sarah Marina & Joan Ilacqua | Sue Reamer | Martha Stone | Jessica Taylor
With thanks to our Sponsors
Marquee - Eastern Bank
Sporters - Microsoft
Playland Cafe - The Boston Foundation
Sponsors and Host Committee updated 29 August 2023.
Host Committee Opportunities are Available from $500. Click here to learn more.
Sponsorship Opportunities are available from $500. Click here to learn more.
Please email Executive Director Joan Ilacqua at Joan.Ilacqua@historyproject.org with any questions.
“The HistoryMaker Awards are our annual opportunity to celebrate the achievements and impact of changemakers in our community. Dr. Bailey has dedicated his life to changing and creating systems to support our community, and he’s still going strong,” said Joan Ilacqua, Executive Director of The History Project. “It's an absolute honor to recognize his invaluable work and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others.”
“The HistoryMaker Awards are our annual opportunity to celebrate the achievements and impact of changemakers in our community. Dr. Bailey has dedicated his life to changing and creating systems to support our community, and he’s still going strong,” said Joan Ilacqua, Executive Director of The History Project. “It's an absolute honor to recognize his invaluable work and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others.”
The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
A philosophical order, the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a House of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence™, Inc., founded in San Francisco and embodying more than 50 Houses in North America, with another 23 Houses worldwide. In their work, the Boston Sisters serve Boston's expansive LGBTQ+ community through their five tenets of Ministry, Activism, Education, Entertainment, and Service. The History Project is proud to recognize their invaluable contributions to creating queer-welcoming space in Boston, and to honor their efforts to protect queer freedom of expression, individuality, and joy.
A philosophical order, the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a House of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence™, Inc., founded in San Francisco and embodying more than 50 Houses in North America, with another 23 Houses worldwide. In their work, the Boston Sisters serve Boston's expansive LGBTQ+ community through their five tenets of Ministry, Activism, Education, Entertainment, and Service. The History Project is proud to recognize their invaluable contributions to creating queer-welcoming space in Boston, and to honor their efforts to protect queer freedom of expression, individuality, and joy.