With over 450 guests in attendance, 2023 Respect Awards presented by T-Mobile, LGBTQ+ community members and allies across the country raised money and awareness in celebration of some of our country’s fiercest LGBTQ+ advocates.

Respect NYC honored Justin David Sullivan with our Game Changer Award, a non-binary actor who spoke out against gendered award roles within the Tony Awards, refusing a potential nomination bid for their role in & Juliet.

Our Student Advocate of the Year was Daniel Hadi, who continuously advocates for youth homelessness reduction and school equity. Through his organization Club Hope, he provides fiscal support, awareness, and a voice to marginalized homeless students in his community.

Freedom to Learn was awarded with GLSEN’s Inaugural Movement Builder Award for building a network of advocates who work emphatically to oppose the attacks waged on intersectionality, critical race theory, Black feminism, and queer theory within educational curricula.

Our Ally Award was given to Idina Menzel, who has always been a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community. She emphasizes empathy and kindness for people from all walks of life through her singing, acting, songwriting, and philanthropic career.

2023 Chairs & Steering Committee

Joseph Carozza

Wilson Cruz

Stan Ponte

Matthew Schaab