Boston has a plethora of amazing people, businesses, and organizations that do tremendous work for Boston’s LGBTQ+ community, but lack the recognition they deserve. The Rainbow Awards aim to highlight, honor, and celebrate these individuals and groups while simultaneously, over time increasing community engagement, activism, spirit, and value.


This awards ceremony will put a spotlight on those who are actively make a difference in the LGBTQ+ Boston Community and encourage their peers and clients to adopt a stronger presence and impact. Simply showing up won’t cut it!

 

A committee of community leaders and individuals will discuss and deliberate the winners of each category. For all categories, each award is not annually guaranteed and other years some categories may have multiple honorees. The focus falls on the impact of people, businesses, and organizations, not just their existence. This means the most popular business or organization, even if in a small market, may not be deemed qualified to win consecutive years.

 

The longterm goal is to showcase as many different members of Boston’s LGBTQ+ community as possible. We understand that the inaugural year may be met with hesitance, so we encourage your feedback. As a committee we will review our options and make any applicable changes. Eventually, we would like to evolve to a place where we can secure enough  sponsorship to make the ceremony a gala by late fall 2023 / early winter 2024.

If you follow the link below, you will be able to make a general nomination or put forth a nomination for a specific award.

HONORARY AWARDS

Rainbow Award

Someone(s) that have shown dedication, passion, and support for the community for 5 or more years 

Rising Star

Someone(s) that have shown dedication, passion, and support for the community for at least 3 years

POTENTIAL AWARDS 

New Group / Organization

Established Group / Organization

New Business

Established Business

Social Activity Group

Nonprofit

Youth Group / Organization

Advocate / Advocate Group

Realtor

Performance Group

Photographer

Visual Artist

Vocal Artist

Drag Performer

DJ

Bartender

Bar / Club

Restaurant

Brunch Spot

Event

Large Event (300+ people)

Youth Event

Large Youth Event (300+ people)

Sports League

THE PROCESS

Nominations are open now till end of March 2024

All nominations will be reviewed by the diverse Rainbow Awards decision committee. Based on quantity of responses, they will then decide which awards will presented at that year's ceremony.

Awards will vary from year to year based on candidacy and new awards may be created on a needed basis based on general nominations.

Once determined, the committee will release the decisions to all nominees.

An awards ceremony will follow, honoring those chosen and everyone contributing to make this community stronger, and more unified.