Winter Gala Awards

Call for Nominations

We are currently accepting nominations of individuals who have made significant contributions to the work of LGBTQIA+ equality and the advancement of OutFront's mission. Nominations will be accepted up until 11:59pm on Wednesday, December 31st.

The 2026 Winter Gala Awards will be given at our Winter Gala on
February 7, 2026.

Winter Gala Awards 2026 Nomination Form

About the Awards

Our first award was given posthumously in 2009 to dedicated LGBTQIA+ advocate and former Kalamazoo City Commissioner Terry Kuseske as a way to honor his contributions toward LGBTQIA+ equity, equality, and justice in the Kalamazoo community.

Today, the Winter Gala Awards are presented annually at the Winter Gala, a formal event held each February and OutFront Kalamazoo’s second-largest annual fundraiser. Categories typically include recognitions for advocacy, humanitarian work, education, business, and volunteer contributions.

Prior Year Honorees

  • Dr. Charles Warfield Advocacy Award
    Carrie Pueblo

    OutFront Community Award
    Jess Meibeyer

    Jim Knox Humanitarian Award
    Joshua DeBoer & Tomas Minto

    OutFront Business Excellence Award
    Toni Will & Kalamazoo K-Wings

    Terry Kuseske Education Award
    Dustin Morris

    Terry Kuseske LGBTQIA+ Youth Scholarship
    Rainn Abilene

  • AlleyKat Studios LLC
    Dr. Suzie Nagel-Bennett
    Brooke Lindley
    Danny Frigo
    Daniel Crago-Calderon
    Pfizer Kalamazoo's OPEN Colleague
    Resource Group

  • DRUE Salon
    The Kalamazoo Promise
    Demetrius Wolverton
    Garrie Smith
    Erin Knott

  • Dr. Heather Dannison
    Dell Darnell
    Jennifer Gruel
    John Kreider

  • Chris Boger
    Kaleb Burpee
    CoCoMarie
    Megan Maddock
    Cheri Stolzner

  • Delta Hotels
    Dr. Susan Freeman
    The Honorable Bobby Hopewell
    Sara Jacobs
    Christopher Terkos

  • Miller Canfield
    Kyle Hibbard
    Elvira Ruiz
    Dr. Codie Stone

  • River Artz-Iffland
    Dr. Cheryl Dickson
    Emily Joye McGaughy
    State Farm
    Dave Watt

  • Bell’s Brewery
    Anna Cushman
    Kelly Doyle
    Jay Kaplan
    Denise Miller

  • Christine Babcock
    Jill Hermann-Wilmarth
    Michelle Johnson
    Terry Johnston
    Marty Marlett
    Shannon Sykes

  • Christine Babcock
    Jill Hermann-Wilmarth
    Michelle Johnson
    Terry Johnston
    Marty Marlett
    Shannon Sykes

  • Charley Bowers
    Patricia Carlin
    David Feaster
    Jon Hoadley
    Kellogg Pride Alliance
    Rev. Beth McLaren

  • Joe & Nancy Calme
    Tammy Collins
    Susan Horowitz & Jan Stevenson
    Jen Hsu
    Nicole Ogrin
    Triangle Mentorship Program Mentors

  • Dr. Cathryn Bailey
    John & Lisa Burchett
    Metro Nightclub
    2011 Pride Steering Committee

  • Jim Knox

  • Terry Kuseske (posthumous)