As anticipation builds ahead of the fourth annual Translife Awards, Dewayne Queen, the visionary founder and chairman of the event, reflects on the incredible journey of honoring pioneers for their impactful and pivotal work in the Atlanta transgender community.
Queen’s commitment to recognizing the achievements of the trans and non-binary communities culminates in this year’s theme, which he describes in three words: innovation, strength, and love.
“The theme for this year really captures the essence of what we aim to celebrate,” Queen told Georgia Voice. “Innovation because we’re recognizing new and groundbreaking contributions to our community. Strength because it takes incredible fortitude to be a trailblazer in a challenging environment. And love, because at the heart of everything we do is a profound sense of care and respect for our community.”
With a clear and profound sense of purpose, Queen is steering this year’s awards to new heights. In an exclusive interview with Georgia Voice, he shared his thoughts on the significance of the event, the impact of the Atlanta Black Pride partnership, and the future of the Winters Lane Foundation.
“This is a space for all. I really want our local community to know that they are welcomed and that they should attend to see that the trans community is not a monolith,” Queen said of the award ceremony, which will be held on August 31. “They are so vast in so many areas. This is why they deserve to be celebrated. When they fight for justice and equality, they not only fight for the trans community, but they fight for all of the letters of the LGBTQ community.”
This year’s Translife Awards will continue its tradition of honoring remarkable individuals that have made significant contributions to the trans and non-binary communities. The awards will recognize both pioneers and allies who have dedicated their efforts to advancing community advocacy and equality.
Among the honorees this year is Dr. Lulu, a cisgender mother of a trans child who has made substantial strides in educating families about raising trans children. Dr. Lulu’s work has garnered national attention, including conversations with Oprah Winfrey, and make her a fitting recipient of the Pioneer of the Year award.
The Translife Awards will also honor and celebrate Gabrielle Claiborne, who will be the first recipient of the DeeDee Chamblee Lifetime Achievement Award. Claiborne’s extensive work in bridging gaps within the trans community and advocating for change exemplifies the spirit of the award, which was renamed in honor of DeeDee Chamblee, a significant figure in both the trans and HIV/AIDS advocacy communities.
As the awards approach, Queen emphasizes the importance of community involvement. With upcoming elections and legislative battles affecting queer and trans rights, Queen’s vision extends beyond celebration to active advocacy.
“This year, we are making a concerted effort to engage our community in the electoral process,” Queen said. “At the awards, we’ll have voter registration and status checks on-site, thanks to our partners like GTEP and Representative Park Cannon. We want to ensure that everyone is not only registered but also aware of their voting status and any issues that need to be addressed before the elections.”
Starting in 2025, the Translife Awards will partner with the Winters Lane Foundation and extend annual programming to professional and educational assistance through the inaugural “Passage” and “Knowledge” programs. In support of this new endeavor, the Translife Awards hopes to raise $10,000, with funds going directly to the planning, execution, and managing of these crucial service-based programs for the transgender community.
As Queen puts it, “This is a time for us to come together, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to the future. Let’s make this year’s awards a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we unite in support of each other.”
The TransLife Class of 2024 Pioneers are:
Advocacy: Dani Alexander-Burk
Community: Toni Bryce
Culture: 2AM Ricky
DeeDee Chamblee Lifetime Achievement: Gabrielle Claiborne
Education: Simaya Turner
Vision: Zaria Newbill
Global Visibility: Nala Simone Toussaint
Inspiration: Dean Steed
Pioneer of the Year: Uchenna “Dr. Lulu” Umeh
Resilience: Jada Gremillion
Technology: E.C. Pizarro III
Well-Being: Omega Chuckii
The 2024 Translife Awards will be hosted by Tiffany Starr at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on Saturday, August 31 at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased for $50 at thetranslifeawards.com until August 31. The ticket includes admission, a plated dinner, and drinks at the event.
Editor’s note: This article was edited to change language mistakenly indicating DeeDee Chamblee as passed.