Leon Allen and Winston Johnson Community Leadership Award
The Human Rights Campaign Atlanta Steering Committee presents this award each year to the individual or group who offers distinguished service and leadership for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate not only substantial time and energy, but also spirit and whole-hearted commitment to advance the fight for our civil rights. Appreciating our current leadership will foster others to follow in their footsteps. Leon Allen and Winston Johnson were founders of the Atlanta HRC Dinner.
Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award
As one of the founders of Human Rights Campaign Fund in 1980, Dan Bradley distinguished himself through his career as a courageous champion of civil rights. As president of the Legal Services Corporation, Dan was the highest-ranking Presidential appointee ever to acknowledge his homosexuality. That act of bravery set the stage for an impressive string of national media appearances and Dan’s activism on the boards of many national and local organizations. Dan was the inspiration behind the historic June 1, 1987 demonstration at the White House and proudly led 64 gay and lesbian leaders to jail in a symbolic act of civil disobedience. A native of Georgia and a graduate of Mercer University, Dan passed away in January 1988 at the age of 47.
This award is bestowed upon an individual or group who continues Dan Bradley’s tradition of activism and service to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award
Past Award Recipients
2018— Victory for The World Church
2017 — The Pansy Patrol
2016 — Georgia Equality
2015 — Action Cycling Atlanta
2014 — Lost-N-Found
2013 — Joining Hearts
2012 — The Health Initiative
2011 — Jeff Cleghorn
2010 — Simone Bell
2009 — YouthPride
2008 — Rev. Meredith, Tabernacle Baptist Church
2007 — Jack Senterfit
2006 — Tony Conway, Legendary Events
2005 — Cynthia Tucker, The AJC
2004 — Dr. Karla Drenner, Georgia State Representative
2003 — Kathy Colbenson, CEO, Chris Homes, Inc.
2002 — The Atlanta Games, Inc.
2001 — Tony Braswell & Jim Marks
2000 — H. Philip Rafshoon
1999 — Kenneth F. Britt
1998 — AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta
1997 — Edith Dee Cofrin
1996 — Rev. Mike Cordle
1995 — Shannon Byrne
1994 — Larry Pellegrini
1993 — Don George
1992 — Dick Sargent
1991 — Tom Teepen
1990 — David Sheppard
1989 — Vic Basile
1988 — Hon. John Lewis, U.S. Congressman
Leon Allen and Winston Johnson Community Leadership Award
Past Award Recipients
2018 – The Armorettes
2017 – Latino LinQ
2016 – The Bert Show
2015 – The Plaintiffs of Inniss v. Aderhold (Georgia Marriage Equality Case)
2014 – Elizabeth “E.R.” Anderson, Charis
2013 – Michael Shutt
2012 – Rev. Phillip Thomason
2011 – Paul Plate
2010 – Vandy Beth Glen
2009 – Officer Dani Lee Harris
2008 – Frank Bragg, Metrotainment Café’s
2007 – Kathy Kelly
2006 – Melissa Carter, Q100
2005 – Nan Grogan Orrock, Representative GA House
2004 – Eric and Nancy Edmondson
2003 – Dr. Jesse Peel, MD
2002 – Kecia Cunningham, Decatur City Commissioner
2001 – Dr. Linda McGehee
2000 – Cathy Woolard, Atlanta City Councilmember
1999 – ACLU & Lambda Legal Defense Fund
1998 – Brooke Glaefke
1997 – Aida Rentas
1996 – Cherry Spencer-Stark
1995 – Cobb Citizens Coalition / Olympics Out of Cobb
1994 – Mary Davis, Atlanta City Councilmember
1993 – Linda Bryant and Sherry Emory
1992 – Judith Colbs and Joan Garner
1991 – LEGAL
1990 – Southern Voice
1989 – The Metropolitan Council of Gay/Lesbian Orgs
1988 – The Atlanta March on Washington Committee