Legendary LGBTQ filmmaker and human rights activist Pat Rocco tonight will receive the inaugural Troy Perry Medal of Pride, honoring LGBTQ people and allies who are on the front lines of community activism around the world. In recognition of LGBTQ History Month, the award will be presented by Rev. Troy Perry, in whose name the awards have been created, at a special event launching the Lavender Effect Queer History Channel and Student Filmmaker Competition at the W Hollywood Hotel. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m. on the rooftop pool area of the W. Hollywood hotel and is free and open to the public.
“Pat Rocco captured some of the most important historic moments of LGBTQ history on film during the 1960’s and 1970’s, including the first march from Olivera Street to the State Building in Los Angeles, candlelight marches, protests at famed West Hollywood bar Barney’s Beanery, the first gay pride parade, and countless other events'” said a press release announcing the award. “Most of these early events and protests were led by LGBTQ human rights activist Rev. Troy Perry.”
Rocco has been vocal this year in the debate about the direction in which Christopher Street West has taken L.A. Pride, with its focus on turning the event into a music festival focused on millennials.
Rev. Troy Perry is a renowned international LGBTQ human rights activist, a pioneer in social equality, legal protection and spiritual justice for LGBTQ people. Perry led historic gay rights marches in the 1960’s and co-founded the Christopher Street West organization to launch the first L.A. Pride event in 1970. He is perhaps best known as a leader in the marriage equality movement and the founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) denomination, the first church to recognize the spiritual needs of the gay community which sparked a worldwide movement, now with more than 160 churches in 33 countries.
In addition to Rocco, Jamaican LGBT human rights activist Angeline Jackson will receive the Troy Perry Medal of Pride at tonight’s event. Jackson is an LGBTQ activist, HIV/AIDS educator, and the executive director of Quality of Citizenship Jamaica, the first organization specifically for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women in Jamaica. The Troy Perry Medal of Pride is a year-round program of Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Community Charities to honor LGBTQ people and allies engaged in community action. The annual Troy Perry New Vision Awards will be presented to innovative community leaders and their programs in June 2017.
The Student Filmmaker competition will engage college and middle and high school filmmakers to produce short films on topics of LGBTQ history and culture, together with education nonprofit Global SchoolNet. The films will be showcased on Revry, the world’s first LGBTQ streaming service dedicated to all forms of digital entertainment created by and for queer and allied audiences. Revry will be home to the Lavender Effect’s Queer History Channel.
