Meet the eligible Rainbow Key Award nominees

West Hollywood is poised to honor remarkable contributions to the LGBTQ+ community through its annual Rainbow Key Awards. Established in 1993, these awards recognize outstanding individuals and groups whose efforts have significantly impacted the local and global LGBTQ+ communities across various sectors, including the arts, community action, humanitarian efforts, and more.

For the 2024 award cycle, the city’s LGBTQ+ Commission received a diverse pool of 32 nominations between December 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024. After a vetting process, 23 candidates were deemed eligible for consideration. These nominees represent a broad spectrum of achievements and have been instrumental in advancing the visibility and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Commission will deliberate and make its recommendations for up to five awardees, which will then be presented to the City Council for final selection. Additionally, a new subcommittee will be formed to plan and execute the 2024 Rainbow Key Awards Ceremony.

Below are the eligible nominees along with excerpts from the submissions of those who nominated them.  

Amber Crane — She has been a reader for Drag Story Hour, she’s been a performer for many drag shows throughout West Hollywood and has been a drag inspiration for up and coming performers. Please describe the impact and scope of this nominee’s contributions. Amber Crane has been a beacon of drag excellence, Black excellence, and artistic joy in the city of West Hollywood. She has touched people’s lives not only in the clubs and venues where she delivers show-stopping performances, but also in the library where she connects with young people and families through drag story hour. Amber is a gold standard of professionalism and of Black artistic expression, inspiring up and coming performers, particularly in the BIPOC trans community and providing a welcoming and vibrant space for audience members everywhere she goes. — Pickle

Andrew Campbell — Andrew Campbell worked for the City of West Hollywood for thirteen years from 2007 to 2020. It is because of Andrew that the City has an Arts Division and a robust arts program. He ran the City’s One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival programming from 2008 to 2013. He was instrumental in bringing the Art AIDS America exhibition preview from the Tacoma Art Museum in 2015. He also directly oversaw the City’s Public Art program until 2015, led the City through the development of its Cultural Plan in 2017, and ideated the immersive Senor Plummer’s Final Fiesta theatre production (the City received an NEA grant for this production: https://www.weho.org/Home/Components/News/News/7823/). The Neon Diver was acquired by the City during his career and now adorns the West Hollywood Aquatic and Rec Center and is a recognizable landmark of WeHo. He also was instrumental in the creation of a play about famed LGBTQ activist Ivy Bottini’s life, by suggesting the topic to his friend who is a playwright. (https://cla.calpoly.edu/the-link-newsletter/fall-2014/als-schnupps-ivy). — Mike Che

Andrew Fox and Joey Bachrach — The nominees have opened the first fully LGBTQ sober living and treatment center. 100% staffed with LGBTQIA+. Providing gender-affirming care for the trans community. Rainbow Hill Recovery and Rainbow Hill Sober Living exemplify a forward-thinking approach to addiction recovery, recognizing the importance of inclusivity and tailored care for the LGBTQ+ community. By providing a continuum of care that addresses the unique needs of gay, bi, and trans men, these facilities stand as a model for creating environments where individuals can achieve lasting sobriety while embracing their authentic identities. Rainbow Hill is not only transforming lives but also contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate future for the field of addiction recovery. — Lisi Linares

Brian Risley — Since 2002, Brian Risley has helmed HIV programs at APLA Health and Men’s Healthcare Foundation. He is a leader in the space nationally, helming conferences and connecting thousands with care, particularly older adults through the HIVE Program. Every Thursday, he hosts monthly gatherings at Fiesta Hall for clients, and I have gotten to know him in my role as WeHo Poet Laureate we collaborated to revive the APLA Writers Group, which was founded in 1989 (and, fun fact, published former councilmember John D’Amico before he was a WeHo councilmember).  — Brian Sonia Wallace

Brian Sonia-Wallace — Brian founded the band of LGBTQ+ typewriter poets in 2019, “Pride Poets,” and this has served WeHo Pride and other various other WeHo-based activities ever since. By creating Pride Poets, Brian has served thousands of WeHo Pride attendees and WeHo Arts audiences a souvenir that helps give them a fond memory at a West Hollywood event. — Jen Cheng

Chris Isaacson of Chris Isaacson Presents, LLC — From small clubs to major theatres, CIP has presented many of the most influential stars of this generation including Grammy, Tony, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning musicians, actors, and recording artists with an emphasis on LGBTQ Artists; working to showcase their stories, journeys, and struggles. Highlights include coordinating and producing an elaborate premiere celebrations for Emmy Award-winning series POSE (FX Networks) starring Billy Porter, Janet Mock and Our Lady J, Emmy Award-winning series Feud: Bette & Joan (FX Networks) starring Susan Sarandon, co-produced the Grammy Award-nominated “Considering Matthew Shepard” at Ford Theatres (earning CIP a proclamation from the City of West Hollywood) with guest hosts Tim Bagley, Candis Cayne, & Joely Fisher with guest performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, producing the West Coast charitable event GAIN: Brighter Futures starring Alisan Porter (winner of NBC’s The Voice) for Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, high-flying events for LA Pride, Rolling Stone, The Grove LA, and Americana at Brand, serving as Producer on the critically acclaimed feature documentary Studio One Forever directed by Marc Saltarelli starring Thelma Houston, Chita Rivera, Melissa Rivers, Lance Bass, and Bruce Vilanch most recently, working with Dick and Arlene van Dyke on “Dick van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic” for CBS Television. — Craig Kenkel

Christopher Sibley — Mr. Sibley helps execute the creative vision for each client and transform ideas into viable consumer and press activations. He’s secured major national media placements at ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CNN, HLN, New York Post, AP News, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Washington Post, USA Today, and NPR. He has also led various campaigns, including premiere events in West Hollywood at the Pacific Design Center for FOX Broadcasting Company (SnowFall), FX (Shots Fired), Bounce TV’s “Trumpet Awards,” and ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards at the London West Hollywood Hotel. From those events alone, he has brought thousands of dollars to the West Hollywood community. Christopher Sibley has over two decades of experience in Public Relations and Media. He worked at one of the most successful LGBTQ African American marketing and public relations agencies, One/35 Agency, where he served as the account manager for Bounce TV (Trumpet Awards, Johnson, Finding Happy, Act Your Age, Saints & Sinners, In The Cut, Family Time). — Tayon Bell

Cody Masters — Cody is the dog of recent Rainbow Key Awardee Troy Masters, publisher of Los Angeles Blade and most media is on @troymasters. — Troy D. Masters

Cory Cantaloupi — When Cory was formerly a property manager, he provided good homes for renters when the management company is your typical anonymous company who might ignore our needs. Now, he’s in a less stressful job at Tailwaggers on Fairfax, giving great love and care to our dogs and other pets. So many of us LGBTQ renters might find it hard to find an apartment or know our tenant rights. So many of us LGBTQ community members have pets. Cory is a gay sweetheart who helps everyone out. Cory is an example of a humble person who doesn’t want to be in the spotlight but deserves recognition for all his kindness to West Hollywood residents and pet owners for so many years. Cory is an example of an “everyday hero,” someone who generously goes above and beyond his responsibilities to help us out. — Jen Cheng

Daniel Franzese — Daniel can’t walk the streets of West Hollywood without someone approaching him to say how much his character Damian in Mean Girls (2003) or his HIV positive character, Eddie, from HBO’s Looking meant to them. You can often find him sharing his gift to make people feel at ease and laugh at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood. Daniel’s character Eddie from HBO’s Looking was one of the first openly HIV positive characters on TV but it almost didn’t happen. Daniel wrote a letter to the show’s director which persuaded the director to let him bring this much needed representation to life. I’ve witnessed people tell Danny how much that character has meant to them, not just around the world, but especially in West Hollywood. Some people have shared the representation saved their life. Danny has brought so much joy to West Hollywood through his comedy and well-known characters in film and TV. Try to walk the WeHo Halloween party and not see someone dressed as a Damian from Mean Girls. His work has given us all joy. I feel he deserves to be recognized for that. — Azariah Southworth

Dapper Dyke Vivian (Escalante) — In 1994, Dapper Dyke Vivian was the driving force of the Dyke March in West Hollywood, establishing Dykes on Bikes, when lesbian/dyke visibility was scarce. With Vivian leading the way they were determined to take over the streets of WeHo promote Lesbian visibility and return Dykes on Bikes to leading the March. As they marched, they chanted, played drums, and held up signs while the Dykes on Bikes would clear the path for marchers. Despite the sheriff’s attempts to stop the march from moving forward, the Dykes on Bikes revved their engines, bringing traffic to a complete halt and drawing cheers from the spectators who joined their mission to be seen. I was a writer for the Lesbian News at the time and covered the story. This was a significant achievement as the Dykes on Bikes had been banned from participating in any parade in WeHo since 1988. Vivian ensured that such a ban would never happen again under her watch and created the largest grassroots Dyke on Bike motorcycle contingent in both the WeHo Gay Pride Parade and the Long Beach Gay Pride Parade. Vivian is also instrumental in the San Diego Dykes on Bikes during their Gay Pride Parade by making sure that they were not subjected to wearing motorcycle helmets. Vivian was well versed in the laws and regulations that gave them the freedom to ride safely and proudly. She united all women motorcyclists to take the road on weekends and created the first ever Women Motorcyclists in Southern CA in 1998. — MJ Godges

David Roman — David Roman, a Latino author writing on AIDS and performance since the early 1990s. His award-winning books have had a significant impact on culture. Roman has written books that are standouts to people in the communities they represent. He wrote the seminal Performance in America published by Duke University Press; O Solo Homo: The New Queer Performance, published by Grove and which won the prestigious Lambda Literary Award; Acts of Intervention: Performance, Gay Culture, & AIDS, and last year’s The (Taylor) Mack Book focused on queer performance artist Taylor Mack. His written work has been focused on the LGBTQ experience, the impact of AIDS, and David’s commitment to anti-racism and pro-diversity extends beyond the literature and academic spheres. He has served on multiple theatre and community non-profit boards, advocating for the arts, particularly the works of underrepresented and marginalized communities. For many years, he served as the Scholar in Residence at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, collaborating closely with the Latino Theatre Initiative. Additionally, in 2021, he joined the Board of Directors of Labyrinth Theatre in New York City, becoming the first scholar invited to serve on the board in their near thirty-year history. He studied under previous WeHo resident, poet and memoirist Paul Monette. Roman works as a Professor in the Department of English and the Department of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California, has devoted his career to the diversification of the profession on several fronts. As a scholar, he has worked tirelessly to diversify his two primary scholarly fields: theatre and performance studies and American studies broadly conceived. — Steven Reigns

Donald “Daddy Don” Anspauch, Jr. — Donald “Daddy Don” Anspauch, Jr. is licensed by the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent, #93602. Don has been working in the Los Angeles area for 27 years and has experience and insight for the entertainment community, for both individuals in front and behind the camera. extensive financial management and planning experience to file accurate and concise tax returns, not paying a dollar more than what you truthfully owe Uncle Sam or other taxing authorities. Established procedures, knowledge of tax issues, rapid response to questions with solutions, and a concerted reliability of service is our best asset. Donald “Daddy Don” Anspauch, Jr. has focused his work on the needs of the LGBTQ+ community for 27 years and continues to help keep the LGBTQ citizens in this town financially healthy. – Brett Jeffreys

Dr. Rebecca Gitlin – Dr. Rebecca Gitlin is a force of nature and fierce advocate for the LGBTQIA2S+ community across Los Angeles County. She has led the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health efforts to ensure that both identity and gender-affirming services are included across all clinical assessments within the Department of Mental Health both directly operated and contract providers, and ensure that the Department of Mental Health has a presence in the LGBTQIA2S+ community across the county. Because of the work of Dr. Gitlin, she is insured that there is a voice for this community in every clinical space that is served by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. She facilitates regular consultation meetings open to all service delivery staff with the goal of providing gender and identity-affirming services for residents. Dr. Gitlin is a founding member of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Anti-Racism Diversity and Inclusion Staff Advisory Council. – James Coomes

Gregorio Davila, Director; Mario J. Novoa, Producer — As a director and producer, Davila and Novoa made the films: LA: A Queer History and UNIDAD: Gay and Lesbian Latinos Unidos. Both of these films have brought to light important histories. By the making of these two films, which are now, after running the film festival circuit, streaming on PBS, the community is seeing these important queer stories of our recent past which paved the way for the freedoms we are enjoying today. Although the two films celebrate our victories, they are also a reminder that we must remain vigilant against anyone who would attempt to take away our hard-fought victories for freedom and equality. – Louis Jacinto

Handle with Care — Handle with Care is an amazing organization run by some amazing members of the LGBTQ community located right here in West Hollywood. Providing care kits for the most vulnerable members of our community, those experiencing homelessness. They take time out of their already busy lives to make an impact in our community. Please describe the impact and the mission of Handle With Care (HWC) is to help people who are experiencing homelessness with their daily needs while also acting as a bridge to other services and opportunities to improve their lives. – Luke Renfro

Hera Anderson — Hera Anderson Show on YouTube The impact and scope of Hera Anderson’s contributions through the Hera Anderson Show are commendable. By inviting LGBTQIA talents as guests and promoting their work, she is providing a platform for their voices to be heard and celebrated. This not only helps raise awareness about the community’s experiences and challenges but also promotes inclusivity and acceptance. Through her show, Hera is empowering LGBTQIA individuals and making a positive impact on their lives. Her efforts contribute to fostering a more diverse and equal society.

Jackie Beat — Drag superstar JACKIE BEAT has been entertaining audiences across the U.S. and in Europe for over THIRTY FIVE YEARS with her razor-sharp comedy and hysterical song parodies. Jackie not only warps hits by Britney Spears, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Mariah Carey, and many others, but she flawlessly sings her twisted new versions LIVE hitting every last note. Her hilarious music videos on YouTube are huge hits that have been seen by millions of people. Her one-woman show “Jackie Beat Is A Whole Lotta’ Love” ran a record 18 months at NYC’s premiere cabaret, Fez, and she returns to The Big Apple every year with her award-winning, standing-room-only holiday show as part of her SOLD OUT national holiday tour. Jackie’s stand-up has been featured in comedy clubs across the country and on Comedy Central, VH1, and MTV. Her scathing song parodies have been featured on America’s Top Forty with Ryan Seacrest, The Howard Stern Show, Much Music TV, Yo on E! and PerezHilton.com. She has appeared on many TV shows such as “Sex and the City” and in several movies including “Flawless” with Robert De Niro, the festival hit “Wigstock The Movie” and the camp cult horror favorite “Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver.” — Chris Isaacson

Jake Stevens — Jake’s first job was as Deputy to West Hollywood Mayor (and now Los Angeles County Assessor) Jeffrey Prang, where he helped author and pass first in the nation laws to support Transgender residents and enact a groundbreaking ban on the sale of puppy mill dogs. Today, Jake works as the Vice President of FARING, a progressive, privately held real estate development firm that was homegrown in WeHo on Robertson Boulevard. In this role, Jake led the Cultural Landmark Designation efforts for two LGBTQ+ properties in West Hollywood, the French Market Building on Santa Monica Boulevard (home to groundbreaking AIDS activism and the first LGBT Political Action Committee) and Studio One Disco/Mitchell Motion Picture Camera Factory Building. Jake worked to ensure these two iconic buildings would be officially designated historic resources that will be protected for future generations of queer people to enjoy. Jake has also contributed to the well-being of WeHo residents in his capacity as Vice President of the California State New Motor Vehicle Board (twice appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom), where he created a new Committee on Equity, Justice and Inclusion to both highlight efforts to grow diversity and access in the new motor vehicle sales industry and advocate for the needs of LGBTQ+ communities in the transition to a zero-emission vehicle future. Jake has convened and hosted numerous LGBTQ+ Victory Fund events in Los Angeles to support diverse candidates in the halls of power in West Hollywood and beyond! Jake’s contributions are local, statewide, and national. He has secured the future of LGBTQ+ landmarks through voluntary historic monument designations and added the Factory to the National Register of Historic Places. He was a Boardmember for 6+ years with a local organization that created the first publicly funded AIDS monument in the Country. – Thadeus Dowad

Lisa Vanderpump — In the past decade, there has probably been no stronger voice for the LGBTQ Community in WeHo and nationwide than Lisa Vanderpump. On a daily basis, she contributes to the City of West Hollywood as an equal opportunity employer, making sure her restaurants are staffed with those who are LGBTQ plus and those who embrace them. It has been well documented that Lisa Vanderpump is a fierce advocate for the Community, but what you may not know is that it truly is her passion. She has been crowned Queen of Pride from New Orleans to Long Beach to Palm Springs. She has filmed a PSA about suicide prevention for The Trevor Project and has been the recipient of the Ally Leadership Award from Equality California. Lisa has always featured West Hollywood Pride events throughout the years on her hit TV shows, including when she brought a grieving community together in the hours after the Orlando Pulse Nightclub massacre. Lisa has been standing up for the LGBTQ Community for decades, and I could not be more proud of her for taking up some tough issues and not fearing the consequences for doing what is right. I think the time is right to honor Lisa Vanderpump and the culmination of a career dedicated to the LGBTQ Community and West Hollywood, a city she has long adored and endorsed. – Robert Kovacik

LZ Love — LZ Love is an elder African American transwoman and a native of Chicago. She’s an acclaimed songwriter, singer, performer, and recording artist of gutbucket soul-stirring blues and blues-saturated gospel and dance music. She’s performed on stages worldwide for four decades, from Tokyo, Japan, London, England, Germany, Paris, France, Switzerland, and Croatia. LZ recently performed live in Austin, Texas, and acted in a web series, Glasscock Park. She’s also an author and creative nonfiction writer. Her art, entertainment, and message of love and acceptance are for everyone, especially the LGBTQ community and those mistreated, abused, shunned, and abandoned. She uses her music and songwriting to make a positive change globally. LZ has made major strides in the entertainment industry. She has used those abilities to uplift the community of West Hollywood for over a decade on multiple occasions. LZ has utilized her talents to honor the lives of Trans people who have been prematurely killed due to violence and bigotry against them. Each November is Trans Awareness Week, and a Trans Day of Remembrance vigil occurs at the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. LZ has consistently contributed to the event, gracing it with her musical talents and frequently showcasing her original compositions. LZ has also paid tribute to the late, great Sylvester with her remarkable rendition of “You Make Me Feel” (Mighty Real). — Jazzmun Crayton

Marc Saltarelli — Marc Saltarelli, an out gay filmmaker, spent several years creating the feature documentary “Studio One Forever,” which traces the history of the first gay disco, “Studio One,” and its adjacent Backlot Cabaret, which operated in West Hollywood for 23 years from the 1970s to the 1990s. In doing so, he also captures the gay history of those years from the decadent queer nightlife of the 70s and the beginning of the gay rights movement, to the AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s, when more than 10,000 West Hollywood residents died. Through its Backlot Cabaret, the openly gay club attracted such establishment celebrities as Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Bette Davis, Roger Moore, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Shelley Winters, Rock Hudson, Eartha Kitt, Chita Rivera, Bernadette Peters, Anita O’Day, Carmen McRae, and Joan Rivers, who mingled openly with the gay crowd. Since premiering at Outfest in the August of 2023, the film has been a surprise hit at major film festivals throughout the country, as well as Europe. It has won several awards, including “Best of Fest” at the Palm Springs International Festival; Jury Award nominee Best Documentary at the Austin Film Festival; Winner Best Documentary at South Out Queer Film Festival; Winner Best Documentary Feature at Out at the Movies International Film Festival; Winner Freedom Award at Film Out San Diego Festival; Winner Best Documentary Editing at QFest Long Beach; AARP Silver Image Award nominee, Reeling 2023 Chicago LGBTQ International Film Festival; Winner Audience Choice Award OutReels, Cincinnati Festival. Quotes: “Crucial…required viewing for the newer generations of queer culture. — Alan Eichler

Robert Gamboa –– Served nearly a decade on LGAB Did his Masters degree internship under Lori Jean the retired CEO of the lalgbt center. Is an original co-founder of Boom and Sizzle, the two most successful sober events that the city has. Plays sax in the lgbtq freedom band. Has volunteered tirelessly for 10+ years with The Tweakers Project, distributing tens of thousands of pieces of lgbtq literature on recovery and citywide program. Has with The Tweakers Project distributed more than a million condoms and safer sex kits. Has been a pillar of the sober community for 10+ years, helping to sponsor people as well as help many navigate a difficult web of red tape to get a bed in recovery services. Robert’s impact is beyond measure. With assisting more than 300 lgbtq folks into rehab/recovery services. Personally going into clubs, bath houses, and WeHo businesses to offer information on meth recovery services, HIV prevention and programming for lgbtq social and assistance programming. I could go on and on and have yet to even discuss his job at the lalgbt center where he works on and helps promote legislation for the lalgbtq community. Robert is one of the kindest most community-minded men I have met. I’m honored to call him my friend and brother. — Jimmy Palmieri