SheWired is thrilled to announce that The Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is awarding Boston-based lesbian activist, scholar, columnist and public theologian Rev. Irene Monroe with its Spirit of Justice Award for 2012. Monroe has been contributing her thoughtful columns that often get at the intersection of LGBT issues, race, religion, politics and pop culture to SheWired since its inception in 2008.
“Reverend Irene Monroe was enthusiastically selected by board and staff for her contributions to the advancement of equality for LGBT people,” Dianne Phillips, GLAD’s board president, said in a release. “She has set an inspiring example of leadership and compassion for us all.”
"I am honored to be this year's awardee,” said Monroe. “But I've not been in the struggle alone. The interconnectedness between my work and that of GLAD's is best depicted by the African proverb that states, “I am because we are; and since we are, therefore, I am.” My social justice work in churches and in the streets comes to fruition because of GLAD’s activism in the courts on behalf of us all."
Monroe is a founder of numerous faith-based LGBT organizations including: The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry, Equal Partners of Faith, and Christian Lesbians Out. She is one of the founders and member emeritus of the National Black Justice Coalition, according to a release from GLAD. She has also served on the Religious Advisory Committee of Human Rights Campaign and was a commissioner on the GLBT Commission in Cambridge that attends to and addresses the needs of Cambridge's queer community.
Monroe’s syndicated column regularly appears on SheWired, The Huffington Post, Bay Windows, The Advocate, and The Bilerico project.
In 1998 Monroe became the first African American lesbian to act as Grand Marshall in the Boston Pride Celebration.
GLAD will present Monroe with the award at the 13th annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner on Oct. 26, at the Boston Marriott Copley Hotel, according to release from GLAD.
Congratulations Rev. Irene!
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