22nd Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner

Thursday, October 21 2021

6:00 pm

Virtual AND In-Person at Boston Park Plaza
50 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116
(Proof of Vaccination Required for In-Person Attendees)

About the Event

Thank you to everyone who made our 22nd Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner such a success!

GLAD’s biggest event of the year brought together supporters of LGBTQ+ equality for an opportunity to unite in resistance, look toward a future of true justice, and support GLAD’s life-changing mission.

This year, we were thrilled to honor Kylar W. Broadus with the Spirit of Justice Award. Kylar is a trailblazing advocate, attorney, author, professor, and leader for the transgender community. Read more about Kylar and his impactful work here.

Watch the powerful remarks from the event’s speakers:

GLAD Senior Staff Attorney Patience Crozier reflects on the past year and GLAD’s work, specifically how we’re approaching the issues that most impact our community.

Ashton Mota is a tireless young advocate for LGBTQ rights, particularly the rights of transgender youth of color. He courageously shared his story during the Yes on 3 campaign to defend nondiscrimination protections in Massachusetts in 2018 and spoke at a White House Pride month event earlier this year, where he also introduced President Biden. He is currently a junior in high school, and joined us by video from his semester abroad in Spain.

Ashton’s mother, Carmen Paulino, is a fierce advocate for her son as well as for transgender youth impacted by the foster care system. As an intensive foster care parent and community volunteer, Carmen has worked with struggling parents to affirm their transgender children and provide comprehensive support to trans youth in her care. Every day, Carmen works within a system that seems designed to hinder, not help, transgender youth. And every day, she pushes that system to be a little bit better than it is.

GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director Jennifer Levi introduces the 2021 Spirit of Justice Award Honoree Kylar Broadus. The award recognizes someone whose work and achievements reflect a profound dedication to GLAD’s ideals of a just and equitable society.

GLAD’s 2021 Honoree, Kylar Broadus, is a trailblazing transgender rights pioneer. In his acceptance speech, Kylar discussed the challenges we face and the path forward. Read more about Kylar and his impactful work here.

Inspired to support LGBTQ justice? Need to fulfill your gift? Click below.

Have questions about the event? Want to become a sponsor of next year’s Spirit of Justice Award Dinner? Contact Mads Ouellette at mouellette@glad.org.

Co-Chairs
Annika Bockius-Suwyn
Ray Cheng

Host Committee
Gavin Alexander
Jamie Bergeron
Kelly Bonnevie
JP Brignol
Liz Doherty
Paul Goodwin
Cam Judkins
Kevin Manganaro
Liz Monnin-Browder
Daphne Principe-Griffin
Michael Thompson
Mason Weintraub