Heritage of Pride Awards
Honoring Our Community's Legacy Makers
The Heritage of Pride Awards honor individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. This special evening celebrates those who have shaped our movement, protected our rights, and created lasting impact.
Awards Ceremony at Kickoff
A public celebration honoring this year's Heritage of Pride Award recipients. Join us at the Pride Kickoff as we recognize those who have dedicated their lives to advancing LGBTQ+ liberation.
Pride Kickoff Event
Awards, Grand Marshals & Entertainment
Venue TBA
Private Gathering
Following the ceremony, honorees are invited to an intimate gathering hosted by SF Pride's Executive Director. This special evening provides space for deeper connection and celebration.
By invitation only
Following Awards Ceremony
2026 Award Categories
Two Types of Recognition
Heritage of Pride Awards: Honorees receive recognition at the Kickoff Event
Commemoration Awards: Honorees receive recognition at the Kickoff Event and participate in the Parade
Heritage of Pride Awards
Recognizing exceptional service and contribution. Honorees celebrated at the Kickoff Event.
10 Years of Service Award
Honoring individuals or organizations that have demonstrated sustained commitment to the LGBTQ+ community through at least a decade of dedicated service, advocacy, or support.
Criteria: 10+ years continuous service to LGBTQ+ community, measurable impact, ongoing engagement
Pride Freedom Award
Celebrating individuals or organizations advancing LGBTQ+ rights, protections, and liberation through advocacy, activism, policy work, or bold action for justice.
Criteria: Significant contributions to LGBTQ+ rights advancement, courage in activism, measurable policy or social impact
Pride Creativity Award
Recognizing artists, performers, writers, and cultural creators whose work has shaped LGBTQ+ visibility, representation, celebration, and cultural expression.
Criteria: Significant creative contributions to LGBTQ+ culture, innovation in artistic expression, community impact through art
Pride Community Award
Honoring community builders, organizers, and service providers who strengthen the LGBTQ+ community through grassroots work, mutual aid, and direct support.
Criteria: Grassroots community building, direct service provision, strengthening community connections and support networks
Commemoration Awards
Honoring LGBTQ+ pioneers and history makers. Recipients celebrated at the Kickoff Event and participate in the Pride Parade.
Gilbert Baker Pride Founder's Award
Named for the creator of the Rainbow Pride Flag, this award honors individuals or organizations that have played foundational roles in establishing, building, or sustaining LGBTQ+ institutions, movements, or communities.
Criteria: Pioneering or foundational contributions, institutional building, lasting legacy creation
Audrey Joseph Entertainment Award
Named for the legendary San Francisco drag performer and community leader, this award celebrates entertainers who have used their platforms to uplift, celebrate, and advance the LGBTQ+ community.
Criteria: Entertainment career dedicated to LGBTQ+ community, using platform for advocacy, inspiring and uplifting through performance
José Julio Sarria History Maker Award
Named for the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States, this award honors those whose actions, courage, or advocacy have changed the course of LGBTQ+ history.
Criteria: Historic significance of contributions, groundbreaking or precedent-setting actions, transformational impact on LGBTQ+ history
Mayoral Award
Teddy Witherington Award
Named for San Francisco Pride's esteemed former board president, this special recognition is selected by the Mayor of San Francisco to honor an individual or organization making exceptional contributions to San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community.
Selection: Appointed by the Mayor of San Francisco
Related Recognition
Grand Marshals
Learn about our four Grand Marshal categories and how community members are selected through public voting and Board appointments.
Learn MorePink Brick Award
An educational recognition highlighting entities causing harm to the LGBTQ+ community, selected through community voting.
Learn MoreNominations Opening Soon
Know someone who deserves to be honored? Nominations for the 2026 Heritage of Pride Awards will open in early 2026.
Contact Awards TeamStay Updated
Subscribe to get notified when we announce the 2026 Heritage of Pride Award honorees and event details.
