Bruce G. Kriete Award

Ken Schneck (center above), PhD, editor of The Buckeye Flame, received PFLAG Cleveland's 2022 Bruce G. Kriete Award from Tom Falcone, president of PFLAG Cleveland, and Sharon Groh-Wargo, vice president of PFLAG Cleveland. Ken received the Kriete community award for his innovative advocacy and multimedia promotion of LGBTQ+ equality. Read more about the award Ken received: HERE.


Bruce G. Kriete was a PFLAG Cleveland board member remembered for his energetic outreach efforts in our community. The award is given annually to an individual, organization or group that has promoted understanding and acceptance of Northeast Ohio's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens, and their families and friends. The PFLAG Cleveland Advisory Board chooses the recipient and awardees are honored at a PFLAG Cleveland special event.

* While PFLAG Cleveland will not endorse any political candidate for public office. When warranted however, we will recognize the efforts of an elected official who courageously supports the civil rights of our LGBTQ community.

Year

Recipient

Reason

2022

Dr. Ken Schneck, professor, author, journalist, advocate

For innovative advocacy and multimedia promotion of LGBTQ+ equality.


2021

Richard Trojanski, City Councilman, Maple Heights, Ohio*

In recognition of his efforts to make the City of Maple Heights a more inclusive community and introducing a council resolution to designate 'June as Pride Month' in the city.

2020

Phyllis “Seven” Harris, Executive Director of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland

For providing Northeast Ohio with a new LGBTQ+ center and for inspirational leadership on social justice issues during a pandemic.

2019

Robert Helmer, President, Baldwin Wallace University Board of Trustees

For advancing equality by disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church in order to more fully embrace and embody its institutional values of diversity and inclusion today and always.

2018

Debra Kimble

For extraordinary service as editor of the NE Ohio PFLAG Newsletter

2017

Karen and Bob Gross

For groundbreaking and longstanding leadership in the Northeast Ohio Transgender Community

2016

Letitia Lopez

For courage, compassion, and actions to further visibility and education of LGBTQ issues among Latinx communities in Greater Cleveland

2015

Jeff Johnson, Cleveland City Councilman *

Who led transformative dialogue on the Council's ordinance governing equal use of restrooms, crystallizing understanding, by comparing transgender discrimination to that of people of color, during the Civil Rights Era

2014

Regina Brett

Plain Dealer Columnist, for her enduring advocacy of equal rights for LGBT people and allies, in schools and communities, through journalism.

2013

Rob Portman, US Senator from Ohio *

In recognition of his extraordinary courage in advancing marriage equality and affirming support for his son.

2012

Consolidated Graphics Group & The Lanci Family

Consolidated Graphics Group (http://cgg-inc.com) and the Lanci Family for generous production of printed materials and leadership in speaking out on behalf of the LGBT community. Owned and operated by the Lanci family, CGG is a leader in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Ken and Linda Lanci willingly give of their time, speaking widely on behalf of the LGBT community.

2011

Jennifer Romanic

Jennifer Romanic, a public school high school teacher, saved a young man and, in the process, healed his family and found herself transformed.

2010

Ann and Ed Hoenigman

Ann and Ed Hoenigman taught about LGBT issues and advocated on behalf of LGBTQ high school students in the Cleveland Catholic High schools.

2009

Joe Cimperman *

Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman (Ward 3) displayed extraordinary leadership which helped pass the Cleveland Domestic Partnership Registry of 2008.

2008

Dale Miller, Ohio Senator (OH-23) *

Dale Miller introduced legislation to end discrimination of the LGBT community in housing and employment.

2007

Tammi Brown on behalf of Convention & Visitors Bureau Of Greater Cleveland

VP for Marketing and Communications at Positively Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau, and her group pioneered the creation of the LGBT Visitor’s Guide and website, the first of its kind in the state. The Guide focuses on the needs of the LGBT traveler and noted gay friendly businesses useful to tourists.

2006

Dick Feagler

Dick Feagler, a Plain Dealer Columnist, wrote in support of the LGBT community in the Plain Dealer and in his books.