Monica Jones is an inspiring and intrepid leader in our movement whose powerful activism sheds light on the ways in which trans people, particularly trans women of color, are targeted and criminalized for “walking while trans”. Monica has been a prominent speaker, advocate, and educator about laws that target trans women of color and sex workers.

Reverend Louis Mitchell, Vanguard Award

For decades, Reverend Louis Mitchell has worked as an educator, trainer, public speaker, preacher, and black trans leader involved in the fight for health, respect, and self-determination since the late 1980s, with deep engagement in political, mental health, recovery, and black church contexts.

Zoey Luna and Ofelia Barba, Inaugural Youth & Family Award

A powerful mother and daughter duo who are courageous and heartwarming media spokespeople. Zoey – a trans youth leader – and Ofelia, Zoey’s supportive mom, have helped educate the public about the rights of transgender students to fully and safely participate in school programs and activities that align with their gender identity.

Herman Hoying of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Community Partner Award

Herman is a remarkable ally to the transgender community who successfully fights for the rights of incarcerated transgender people to access medically necessary and lifesaving healthcare. He is also active in pro bono work, counseling individuals in their pursuit of political asylum and Social Security benefits.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Ally Award

For many years, Kimpton has been a forward thinking employer making tangible, positive improvements in the lives of their employees by creating a transgender-affirming workplace and providing fully-insured and inclusive employee health plans.

SPARK! 2015 Master of Ceremonies, Ian Harvie. You may have seen Ian on Comedy Central or co-starring on the two-time, Golden Globe Award-winning, TV series TRANSPARENT. A headliner and groundbreaking transgender comedian, Ian pokes fun at topics ranging from top surgery, to his fear of public restrooms, to his active sex life in the feature film IAN HARVIE SUPERHERO. Ian’s unique act queers the traditionally macho, sex-obsessed world of stand up in ways you won’t believe, proving that laughter cuts across all gender identities and unites us all.

Josh Klipp and the Klipptones will return this year, partnering again with Breanna Sinclairé to perform an exciting selection of jazz standards.

And, Go BANG! DJs Steve Fabus and Sergio Fedasz will have us all disco-ducking across the dance floor with Thursday night fever.