In the first award of its kind, Prideindex.com and Legends Online this summer will launch the Esteem Awards to honor some of the best and brightest African American LGBT citizens, organizations and supporters from across the United States.

In the first award of its kind, PrideIndex.com and Legends Online this summer will launch the Esteem Awards to honor some of the best and brightest African American LGBT citizens, organizations and supporters from across the United States. The honorees represent a who’s who among people whose activism, service and creativity have made significant contributions to the gay community.

PrideIndex.com is an online news resource for news for the black GLBT and gay-friendly communities. It houses profiles of Black Gay Authors, businesses, gay themed parties, conferences, fundraisers, support groups, and other online resources.

The Esteem Awards are set to be presented on June 24th, in an outdoor ceremony beginning at 3:00 pm at Montrose Beach after Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade.  The honorees represent both the Chicago and National LGBT communities and their allies in 17 categories which include Outstanding Social Services Organization and Outstanding Institution.

“The award will educate the general public about the works of persons among the GLBT populace which often goes unnoticed,” said PrideIndex.com Editor Philip “Esteem” Fleming. “It’s about time that we recognize the efforts of these multitalented individuals.”

This year’s Esteem Award honorees were selected by PrideIndex.com’s Fleming along with Thomas Sampson of Project Vida and Avant-Garde Inc, along with input from knowledgeable professionals from across the country.   For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Congratulations to the 2007 recipients!

Outstanding Newspaper: Windy City Times
Outstanding Magazine: 5 Magazine
Outstanding Social Services Organization: Let's Talk, Let's Test Foundation
Outstanding Male: Rev Kevin Tindell
Outstanding Female: Lora Branch, Chicago Department of Public Health
Outstanding Transgender: Logan Grimes
Special Citation, One To Watch: Will Lockett
Special Citation, Outstanding Service: Remimakou Media
Outstanding Male Promoter: Bob Yearworth & Karl Grant of OTDL, Urbano, Clubhouse & Smooth Productions
Outstanding Female Promoter: Tracy Hill, iCandy Productions
Outstanding Youth Male: Aaron Bowen
Outstanding Youth Transgender: Eboni Warren Watts
Outstanding Gay Family: The Family of Cartell
Outstanding Voguing Ball/House: Escada

National Honorees
Outstanding Newspaper: Southern Voice
Outstanding Magazine: Clik Magazine
Outstanding Social Services Organization: National Minority Council on AIDS
Outstanding Institution: The Lambda Literary Foundation & The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Outstanding Male: Herndon Davis
Outstanding Female: Jasmyne Cannick
Outstanding Website or Blog; ClayCane.com & Rodonline.typepad.com
Special Citation, Outstanding Service: Sheryl Lee Ralph for “Sometimes I Cry: The lives, loves and losses of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS”
Outstanding Male Promoter: Charles Jackson