Spectrum Awards

The Spectrum Awards ceremony recognizes Washington University students, staff, and faculty, and St. Louis community members who live and lead authentically and perform direct advocacy and service to LGBTQIA+ communities. 

These awards celebrate many forms of LGBTQIA+ leadership, including artistic expression, trailblazing activism, academic exploration, dedication to education, demonstrated commitment to intersectionality, relationship- and bridge-building and emerging leadership.

Eligibility

Any member or organization of the Washington University and/or St. Louis community, past or current, is eligible to receive the award. This includes:

Self-nominations are also permitted. To nominate an individual for multiple awards, please a nomination for each award.

The Awards 

Seven awards celebrate different types of contributions to LGBTQIA* leadership.

Gloria Anzaldúa Advocacy at Intersections Award

Recognizes an individual who shows great commitment to advocating at intersections of LGBTQIA+ identities, as well as illuminating and supporting the diversity of individuals within LGBTQIA+ communities.

Audre Lorde Academic Exploration Award

Recognizes an individual committed to using their academic work for the empowerment of LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals. This award particularly seeks to honor individuals who exemplify leadership through self, bringing themselves into their academics and using academics as a space for personal exploration and community development.

Frida Kahlo Creative Arts Award

Recognizes an individual who uses creative art to explore LGBTQIA+ identities, issues, and experiences. This award particularly seeks to honor individuals who exemplify leadership through self, bringing themselves into their artwork and using the arts as a space for personal exploration and community development.

Bayard Rustin Bridge Builder Award

Recognizes an individual who helps forge connections and build authentic spaces within LGBTQIA+ communities through a people-centered approach. Such work may occur through individual or group collaboration as well as various forms of organizing and engaging within our communities.

Sylvia Rivera & Marsha P. Johnston Activism Award

Recognizes an individual who takes action in the face of injustice and stands up for their ideals. The award seeks to honor the trailblazing work from which future positive change may be made.

Compton’s Cafeteria Emerging Leader Award

Recognizes an individual, particularly a first- or second-year student, whose leadership and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ communities shows great promises for future developments.

James Baldwin Committed Educator Award

Recognizes an individual who has shown great commitment to raising awareness of various LGBTQIA* issues and educating community members for the benefit of all.

WUPAN Leadership Development Award

Candidates for this award can either be members or active allies to the LGBTQIA+ community. Applicants selected for this award will successfully demonstrate an outstanding commitment to their leadership growth while a student at Washington University. 

They also will be able to convey the importance of this award to successfully continuing their holistic growth as a leader. (This award can be awarded to a group of current students or alumni who collaborated on a community impact project or event.)