Inaugural International Pride Awards Honor LGBTIQ+ Equality Champions Across Five Categories

Global ceremony in Cape Town celebrates five advocates who lead the charge for LGBTIQ+ rights and resilience amid global challenges.

The first-ever International Pride Awards, organized by ILGA World and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), celebrated five outstanding advocates for LGBTIQ+ equality, honoring them for their dedication and impact during a ceremony hosted by South African trans activist and artist Yaya Mavundla. The event, part of the 31st ILGA World Conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, gathered over 1,000 human rights defenders and allies, with many more joining via live stream to celebrate these champions. South African musician Bongeziwe Mabandla added to the occasion with a live musical performance.

The awards honoured advocates across five unique categories, spotlighting the honorees’ courageous contributions to LGBTIQ+ rights, often in challenging and hostile environments:

Movement Building in the Face of Hostility: Ruslan Savolainen, an LGBTIQ+ activist from Russia with two decades of advocacy experience, was recognized for his resilience and continued activism after Russia criminalized LGBTIQ+ advocacy.

Celebrating Diverse Lives: Immani Da Silva, an Angolan writer, model, and activist, received recognition for using her public presence to foster awareness and acceptance of LGBTIQ+ issues in Angola as a trans woman.

Emerging Leader: Aaditya Raj was honoured for his pioneering work advocating for LGBTIQ+ individuals with disabilities in Nepal, particularly through his founding of Rainbow Disability Nepal, the country’s first organization dedicated to this cause.

Lifelong Pursuit of Equality: Sonia Corrêa of Brazil was celebrated for her five decades of dedication to gender equality, health, and sexuality, including her role in co-drafting the influential Yogyakarta Principles on sexual orientation and gender identity rights.

Extraordinary Ally: Lize Ehlers, co-CEO of Drag Night Namibia, was recognized for her activism through art and her work on the Equal Namibia board to combat intersectional discrimination and homophobia in Namibia.

These honorees exemplify resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to LGBTIQ+ equality and rights. Their stories highlight the bravery needed to confront discrimination, with ILGA World and UNDP receiving nominations from 58 countries, reflecting the global struggle for equality. UNDP’s Jeffrey O’Malley emphasized the awards’ importance in celebrating these individuals during times of significant challenges, noting, “It is crucial to celebrate those who tirelessly advocate for LGBTIQ+ equality and inspire others toward an inclusive future.”

ILGA World’s Executive Director, Julia Ehrt, added, “These LGBTIQ+ heroes inspire us all with their courage and commitment... reaffirming our dedication to a future free from fear and prejudice.”

In a world where LGBTIQ+ individuals continue to face discrimination, criminalization, and violence, the International Pride Awards underscore the power of activism and solidarity in creating lasting, meaningful change. The honorees serve as a beacon of hope for LGBTIQ+ communities worldwide, advocating for a fairer and more just world for all.