is a person of many talents: singer, TV, film, and Broadway actor, and now series host. In addition to recognizing his trailblazing work in queer classics like "Pose," the Monette-Horwitz Trust is honoring his work as host and producer on the PBS series, "Prideland." A series focused on LGBTQ+ life in the American South, "Prideland" told many people's stories. Burnside's presence gave the series added authenticity and range. This series of short films captures a wide array of narratives, including stories on adoption, an openly gay minister, and polyamorous individuals.
The "Indy" spirit is embodied in writer and bookseller Leah Johnson. Leah is a proud resident of Indianapolis, where she runs an LGBTQ+ friend bookstore and community gathering place called Loudmouth Books. Her first novel, You Should See Me in a Crown (2020) won a Stonewall Book Award and was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 Best Young Adult Books. Since then, she has published Rise to the Sun and Ellie Engle Saves Herself! The Monette-Horwitz Trust is particularly proud to recognize her work as a community activist/organizer through Loudmouth. The bookstore's mission is aligned with ours, as it is dedicated to "highlighting banned books and uplifting the work of marginalized authors." .
Representative Zooey Zephyr represents Montana's 100th House District and is the first trans woman to hold public office in the state of Montana. Throughout her time in office, she has been a fierce advocate for affordable housing, healthcare, and human rights. Prior to the legislature, Representative Zephyr worked at the University of Montana. She also worked as an activist, helping with discrimination claims, drafting human rights policies for the city of Missoula, and working as a de-escalator at protests to ensure protester safety. Representative Zephyr works with people across Montana, the nation, and the world to help them get involved in the fight for progressive policies. For Zooey Zephyr, the personal is political and the political is personal.