WINTER GALA Awards
OutFront Kalamazoo is 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 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024.
There are 5 different awards to which one can be nominated:
OutFront Retail Award: The OutFront Retail Award honors an organization or business that has gone above and beyond in promoting LGBTQIA+ equity, justice, and/or inclusion. This award recognizes both LGBTQIA+-owned and non-LGBTQIA+-owned organizations and businesses.
Terry Kuseske Education Award: The Terry Kuseske Education Award honors an individual, group, or organization that has made significant advancements in the field of education for LGBTQIA+ students of Southwest Michigan.
About: Terry Kuseske committed to public service in many ways: a social studies teacher in Dowagiac for 33 years, Cass County Commissioner, and later, the first openly gay City Commissioner of Kalamazoo. In his work and personal life, he dedicated himself to LGBTQIA+ activism. Notably, he led the effort to pass Kalamazoo's Non-Discrimination Ordinance of 2009, which extended anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ individuals. You can learn more about his life and work here.
Dr. Charles Warfield Advocacy Award: The Dr. Charles Warfield Advocacy Award honors an individual, group, or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQIA+ advocacy in Southwest Michigan.
About: Dr. Charles Warfield was a venerated community and civil rights advocate in Kalamazoo. In a lifetime of achievement and impact, Dr. Warfield served as a faculty member of the WMU Department of Education for 41 years, led the Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch of the NAACP as president during its 100th anniversary, and devoted himself to many community and civil rights organizations and causes. You can learn more about his life and work here.
OutFront Community Award: The OutFront Community Award honors an individual, group, or organization that has had a profound impact on the LGBTQIA+ community of Southwest Michigan.
Jim Knox Humanitarian Award: The Jim Knox Humanitarian Award honors an individual, group, or organization that has shown devotion to the welfare of the LGBTQIA+ community of Southwest Michigan.
About: Jim Knox was a co-founder of both the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center (now known as OutFront Kalamazoo) and CARES (Community AIDS Resource and Education Services) in the late 1980s. Knox gave a lifetime of commitment to the betterment of LGBTQIA+ lives through continuous work in both organizations. You can learn more about his life and work here.
***Nomination forms must be completed to be considered. Prior honorees or individuals currently serving on the staff or Board of Directors of OutFront Kalamazoo are ineligible for nomination.
The Winter Gala Award recipients for 2024 will be announced on Friday, January 19, 2024. The recipients will be presented with their awards at our Winter Gala on February 3, 2024.