Queer for Good 2024

Gigi and the Glow are a high energy, fun dance music cover band, featuring all of your favorite dance hits from the 70’s and 80’s all the way to Y2K! Gigi’s stage presence, dance training, vocal talent, intricate costumes, infectious energy, and interaction with her audiences, and her cover band’s musical versatility captivates and is sure to entertain us all. Learn more about this talented band here.

Reveille Men’s Chorus is committed to a mission and vision that serves to promote acceptance of LGBTQI individuals in a larger context through music and the talents of its members. Reveille’s members all stand in unison to support: “Changing Lives Through Music.” Learn more about this talented chorus here.

Through its revival of Tucson’s lost food, Chinese chorizo, the Chinese Chorizo Project is educating our community about the importance of understanding how each of our struggles is tied together and why we must stand together in solidarity – silenced and erased histories of LGBTQI+ people exist in the spaces in between in our collective. In the words of Audre Lorde, “There is no hierarchy of oppression.” Our struggles for liberation are interdependent on each other. Lucky for Q4G attendees, CCP is donating Chinese chorizo to Q4G to be served at the event. And vegans need not worry – it will be the plant-based (mushroom) version.

Since 1997, SAAF has worked with our community to continue advancing health, well-being, and social justice for those living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQI+ folx, and other communities in Arizona and beyond that have been historically undervalued. This Q4G, SAAF will be displaying the AIDS quilt collection – which memorializes those who have passed from HIV/AIDS.  

We are proud to introduce an update to the Doug Noffsinger Straight Ally Award, now renamed the Doug Noffsinger Solidarity Award. This change honors the many allies in our community who support LGBTQ+ individuals, reflecting both the original spirit of the award and expanding its recognition to a broader group.

This year, we’re excited to present the Doug Noffsinger Solidarity Award to Adiba Nelson, a writer from Tucson, Arizona. Adiba is a dedicated advocate for disability rights and the LGBTQ+ community, writing about inclusion and her life as a Black mother and daughter. She authored the memoir Ain’t That A Mother, praised by Essence, Bustle, Ms. Magazine, and Shondaland, and is the subject of the Emmy-winning documentary The Full Nelson. Adiba is also a disability rights activist, literary activist, executive producer, creative consultant, freelance journalist, and semi-retired burlesque performer.

In 2013, she self-published her first children’s book, Meet ClaraBelle Blue, which has sold over 7,000 copies in 20 countries. She gave a TEDx talk in 2017 and has contributed to Arizona Public Media. Her next children’s books, Oshun & Me (coming January 2025) and Hazel’s Best Day! (Summer 2026), continue to explore themes of inclusion and accessibility.

Adiba Nelson exemplifies thoughtful and impactful solidarity. While leading work on disability rights, Adiba opened doors for Tucson’s trans community and other LGBTQ+ groups and actively sought ways to support, elevate, and create needed spaces and opportunities where they previously did not exist. Her dedication serves as a model for us all, demonstrating how to act in the interest of multiple communities.

Join us in celebrating Adiba Nelson’s remarkable contributions and the expanded legacy of Doug Noffsinger at Queer for Good. Purchase tickets here.

The Daniel Trujillo Upstart Change-Maker Award is dedicated to recognizing the extraordinary impact that young people can have on their communities. Named after Daniel Trujillo, a passionate 17-year-old advocate from Tucson, Arizona, this award celebrates youth who are courageously stepping up to make a difference. Daniel, who has been fighting for the rights of trans kids since the age of 9, knows firsthand the importance of using his voice to highlight that trans kids are not just a political debate but whole human beings deserving of love, respect, and acceptance. His recent work organizing the national TransProm event in Washington, DC, exemplifies his commitment to his community and the power of youth activism.

We are proud to present the first Daniel Trujillo Upstart Change-Maker Award to Mya Figueroa, a 15-year-old with a passion for performing arts and a strong commitment to advocating for transgender rights. Mya is a singer, dancer, and actress who loves all things theater and musicals. Her advocacy work began when she realized the power of educating others about transgender issues, particularly when she spoke to an Arizona Senator about the harmful effects of legislation targeting trans youth and was instrumental in the failure of this hateful legislation. Mya’s courage and dedication have been recognized in several publications, including Mission Magazine and Vogue, where she has used her platform to raise awareness and promote understanding.

Mya’s hope is that one day transgender individuals will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, and she believes that this can be achieved through education and visibility. Her efforts to make a difference, whether through her activism or her artistry, make her an inspiring role model and a deserving recipient of the Daniel Trujillo Upstart Change-Maker Award.

Join us in celebrating at the 2024 Queer for Good. Purchase tickets here.

The LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund is proud to introduce the Sylvia Mulka Legacy Change-Maker Award, which honors the memory of a remarkable individual whose life was dedicated to education, community service, and advocacy in the LGBTQ+ community. Sylvia was a tireless champion for LGBTQ+ rights and a significant contributor to various organizations across Southern Arizona. Sylvia was generous with her time and resources to support the Alliance Fund and, in doing so, has made an indelible impact on the fund. Her legacy of leadership, generosity, and activism continues to inspire others, making this award a fitting tribute to those who embody the same spirit of dedication to social justice and LGBTQ+ rights.

This year, the inaugural Sylvia Mulka Legacy Change-Maker Award is being presented to Dr. Russ Toomey, a distinguished professor at the University of Arizona. Dr. Toomey is recognized for their groundbreaking research on the resilience of sexual and gender minority youth, as well as his unwavering commitment to advocating for transgender rights. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and the system-level policies needed to support their well-being.

Dr. Toomey’s advocacy extends beyond academia, as evidenced by their role as the lead plaintiff in a landmark class action lawsuit against the State of Arizona. The lawsuit challenges the state’s exclusion of medically necessary, gender-confirming healthcare for transgender employees, a case that underscores Dr. Toomey’s personal sacrifice and dedication to achieving justice. Their courageous efforts to fight for equal healthcare access exemplify the values of the Sylvia Mulka Legacy Change-Maker Award, making him a deserving recipient of this honor.

Join us in celebrating at the 2024 Queer for Good. Purchase tickets here.