Honorees

Rock stars come and rock stars go. In an ever-changing landscape of shifting musical trends, few artists stand the test of time. Belinda Carlisle is one of those rare talents who continues to remain relevant after nearly four decades in the business. Amidst changing tastes, the gifted and glamorous singer-songwriter has indelibly touched the hearts of pop fans around the world with her unique blend of gutsy vocals, emotively charged melodies and picturesque lyrics. Carlisle gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, the most successful all-female rock band of all time, and went on to have a monumental career as a solo artist. The Go-Go's were the first (and to date only) all-female band in history who wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to achieve a No. 1 album. The Go-Go's have sold over fifteen million records worldwide. In 1985, Carlisle went on to have a massively successful solo career with mega and grammy nominated hits such as "Mad About You", "I Get Weak", "Circle in the Sand", "Leave a Light On", and "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". Carlisle's autobiography, Lips Unsealed, published in June 2010, was a New York Times Best Seller. In 2011, Carlisle, as a member of the Go-Go's, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She, along with the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. In addition to Carlisle’s new solo outings, she also recently recorded the Diane Warren track – “Gonna Be You” which is featured in the movie 80 For Brady. This song saw Carlisle team up with Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry, truly a line-up of female icons for the ages. In addition to continuing to release new music, 2023 saw Carlsie perform sold out shows on both sides of the Atlantic as part of her “Decades” tour.

Carlisle, who has always had a large LGBTQ fan base throughout her career, has advocated for and filmed public service announcements for marriage equality, and has been active in LGBTQ Awareness campaigns alongside her openly gay human rights activist son, James. She has worked with organizations from PFLAG to the American Foundation for Equal Rights and has been a strong advocate of the power of parents accepting and actively supporting their gay children. Aside from her engaging work for nonprofit organizations such as PETA and Greenpeace, she co-founded Animal People Alliance, a nonprofit organization based in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, which raises funds and trains and employs vulnerable people and impoverished women to care for street animals.

She will be joined at the event by her son, James Mason, an LGBTQ activist and blogger.

Billy Porter is an award-winning actor, singer, director, producer, composer, and playwright. He won an Emmy Award for Lead Actor for his appearance in FX’s Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated drama Pose and earned three Emmy nominations total for his role in the series. A Hollywood Walk of Fame inductee, Porter has numerous theatre credits, including the role of ‘Lola’ in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots, which he originated in 2013 and for which he won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards, as well as the Grammy for best musical-theatre album. He won his second Tony Award in 2022 for “Best Musical” as a producer on A Strange Loop. Currently, he is performing in an off-Broadway musical, Jelly’s Last Jam as ‘Chimney Man,’ a musical portrait of legendary jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton. Recently, he starred in the film Our Son alongside Luke Evans, the Paramount comedy 80 For Brady alongside Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Lily Tomlin and Sally Field, and Prime Video’s Cinderella re-make. His feature directorial debut Anything’s Possible, a coming-of age film written by Ximena García Lecuona, was released in July 2022 on Prime Video. In 2023, he directed an episode of Fox’s anthology series Accused. Upcoming, he will co-write and star in a James Baldwin biopic. Porter released his first literary project, Unprotected, in October 2021, which was published by Abrams Press. As a recording artist, Porter most recently released his album Black Mona Lisa, under his record deal with Island Records (UK) and Republic Records (US).

Hollywood’s Spencer Battiest is a Native American (Seminole/Choctaw) talent who cemented a spot in the music and entertainment industry as a singer-songwriter, producer, and actor. His musical journey, rooted in the heritage of his Hollywood Seminole Indian Reservation, transitioned from the traditional hymns of his youth to the contemporary rhythms of pop/rock and rhythm and blues. In a 2013 groundbreaking move, he became the first American Indian artist to sign with Hard Rock Records and released his debut EP “Stupid in Love” two years later. Spencer, alongside his brother Doc Native, won a VMA in 2017 for the politically charged collaboration “Stand Up/Stand N Rock #NoDAPL.” His career continued to flourish with multiple singles, a foray into musical theatre with “Distant Thunder,” and further recognition for his music videos like "Dream." In 2022, he won his second Native American Music Award and performed at significant events including concerts honoring Native American veterans. Today, Spencer Battiest inspires a global audience with his vibrant performances and messages of hope, courage, and cultural pride.

Mark Hunter Seymour has been an entrepreneur and nightclub owner for over 41 years starting in 1982 with his first club, Hunters Chicago located in Elk Grove, Illinois. After many years of success in the suburbs of Chicago he decided to open a second location in Palm Springs, California in 1998 and then a third location in Wilton Manors in 2013 after selling Hunters Elk Grove. Both the Palm Springs and Wilton Manors locations are still serving the LGBTQ+ community. In Palm Springs, Seymour has been involved with several community non for profits such as The Desert Aids Project, The Aids Assistance Project, Orphan Pet Oasis, The LGBT Community Center of the Desert and The Les Dames Du Soleil, among others. His involvement earned him several awards including “Businessman of the Year” from The Desert Business Association, The Warner Engdahl Community Service Award from The Steve Chase Awards and the Desert Aids Project. Seymour also served as one of the Community Grand Marshalls for the 2015 Palm Springs Pride Parade, a highlight of his career. In Wilton Manors, Seymour has worked with many organizations including The Pride Center at Equality Park, Wilton Manors Art Walk, the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVERS), The Smart Ride, Deliver the Dream, the South Florida Gay Men’s Chorus, The Wing Foundation of American Airlines, Flockfest, Julian’s Fountain of Youth, Floatarama and many others. He is an accomplished competitive ballroom dancer with many local, national, and international titles.

South Florida native Tatiana Williams is the co-founder and executive director of Transinclusive Group (TIG), Broward County’s first African American trans-led organization. Founded in 2017, TIG’s mission is to advocate to protect and defend equality for transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals in South Florida. For 20 years, Williams has been advocating on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and has established, maintained and developed positive relationships with community leaders and elected officials who promote legislation that supports transgender people. She has been a pivotal voice in the passage of legislation positively impacting LGBTQ+ people in Florida. She is often called upon as a national speaker, author and advisor. She has worked with artists including Da Baby and Lil Nas X to support LGBTQ+ outreach, advocacy and education and has written for GLAAD and the Journal of American Medicine Association. Williams sits on numerous boards including Equality Florida TransAction Council, Human Rights Campaign and Broward County Hate Crimes Taskforce. She serves as interim co-chair of the Broward County Integrated Prevention and Care Plan which includes the statewide coordinated statement of need for the Center for Disease Control, Florida HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Planning Network, at-large State Representative, Broward County HIV Prevention Planning Council Transgender Advisory Group and Transgender Law Center’s National Trans Agenda Coalition.

Founded in 2010, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) GMCSF's impact resonates far and wide as it brings live music to the region through grand-scale concerts in prestigious venues, far-reaching community engagements, and meaningful volunteer initiatives. With a mission to open more minds and change hearts by inspiring through song, its membership is diverse, intergenerational, and multicultural. Boasting over 180 talented singers, GMCSF proudly stands as the largest gay men's chorus in the southeastern United States and ranks among the nation's top ten LGBTQ+ choruses. Led by Artistic Director Gabe Salazar, more than 25,000 individuals are captivated each year by the Chorus' performances, solidifying its position as a vital cultural asset within the LGBTQ+ landscape in the heart of South Florida. Beyond the artistry of music, GMCSF has emerged as a formidable force dedicated to transcending social barriers while visibly and powerfully advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Being a part of the Chorus is more than simply singing; it's a profound expression of LGBTQ+ identity. The members become living embodiments of positivity, serving as role models for the younger generation, actively contributing to the community, and helping those in need.