Tom Anable Tom was a successful Fort Worth CPA before getting involved with the GLBT community later in life, serving as a board member for QCinema. His life changed after being at the Rainbow Lounge the night of the raid by local police and the TABC. He helped found Fairness Fort Worth and, working with the Diversity Task Force, fought tirelessly to push the city through the most dramatic, rapid and ground-breaking improvements for GLBT citizens ever seen. Sadly, Tom did not live to enjoy this honor, for which he was extremely proud.	Candi Carroll, aka Randy Moore Candi Carroll has been performing in drag shows for more than 20 years in the DFW area. She has held the titles of Miss Fort Worth, Miss Arlington, Miss Texas Entertainer, and Miss Rainbow Excellence. Living in Arlington, you will find her performing most weekends there at the 1851 Club.      Candi (otherwise known as Randy) is 44 years old and has worked as a hairstylist at the same salon for over 20 years. Candi began doing drag shows after dressing as Madonna one year for Halloween and competing in a talent show shortly after.      Realizing a love for theater and the art of female impersonation, she has continued to do shows around the Metroplex and occasionally even out of state since then. As a long time Madonna fan, Madge is still one of her favorite “illusions” to do, but you can see her perform as Cher, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and even Reba McEntire occasionally.      When not performing, Candi enjoys designing and sewing her own costumes, traveling (taking cruises, in particular), scuba diving, bowling, working out, running and she just recently completed her third sprint triathlon. Candi has two miniature schnauzers and a husband of 10 years (sorry guys) that she enjoys spending time with.      Candi has worked alongside the Fort Worth Imperial Court raising money for local charities, and has volunteered with the Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant organization with her husband and will be judging a local pageant in November.     Candi enjoys entertaining and serving in the community, and considers it a huge honor to be named as a Grand Marshall at this year's pride parade.	William Dotson William has been involved in the LGBT community for the last 20 years. Most of the work he has done has been behind the scenes. William has helped many female impersonators by being their escort, helping them dress and doing their hair. He has been treasurer for the Imperial Court de Fort Worth/Arlington and the Texas Gay Rodeo Association. William is a member of the Trinity River Bears, TGRA, Tarrant County Gay Pride Week Association and the Court. He has worked tirelessly for the GLBT community and continues to do so.

Kathi S. Jones     Kathi was born in Rochester, N.Y., and resided there until the age of 9. As a young girl, she always admired police officers and it was her dream to be one.  After high school Kathi attended Tarrant County Community College and began working on getting the college hours necessary to achieve her goal of becoming a police officer.      Eight months after giving birth to her only child, Gabriele (Gabby), her dream came true and in August of 1986, she joined the Fort Worth Police department, and began her career. The academy was 4 1/2 months of tough physical training and studies. In January of 1987 she graduated from the Fort Worth Police Academy and went to work the streets in patrol. As an officer Kathi was assigned to Downtown Bike Patrol, before being promoted to corporal/detective. As a detective she worked in the Family Violence Unit, Sexual Assault Unit and Operational Analysis. By her ninth year with the police department, Kathi decided to promote further and achieved the rank of sergeant.      As a Police Sergeant, Kathi has worked patrol, Neighborhood Patrol Officer (NPO), and School Security Initiative. While in School Security Initiative, Kathi found a calling when it came to anti-bullying. She received comments from the officers that worked in the schools about the amount of bullying they witnessed. Kathi began to create a PowerPoint program that was the first to be used in the Fort Worth Independent School District. The program was taught to children of all ages, parents, counselors, and teachers. It became so popular that Kathi was asked to present the program at a seminar for teachers and counselors in Miami.      In the 26 years Kathi has worked for the Fort Worth Police Department, she has taken pride in her assignments and the fact that it allowed her to bond with many wonderful people in the community. The commitment of serving the public has been a true inspiration to Kathi. It has created a great many wonderful relationships including ta bond with the Fort Worth Gay Pride Week Association and the many wonderful people who are a part of this organization.Kathi has become the officer within the department who has worked closely with the group to assist in the security for several yearly events for past three years.Kathi enjoys the sense of community within this group and continues to endeavor in order to make their functions as safe as possible.	Tessy, aka Tim Smith Tim has been performing as a female impersonator for 25 years, holding several titles locally and internationally. His driving focus has always been charity work, and he’s helped raise money for organizations such as Texas Gay Rodeo Association Dallas and Fort Worth, Intl. Gay Rodeo Association, Pegasus Slowpitch Softball Association, the Fort Worth and Dallas Court systems and pride groups and many others. He currently own Buds and Blooms florist in Garland and May Flowers Florist in Mesquite. He has a daughter, Taylor, with partner Marcus Hood.	Kim & Mandy Lovering This summer, Kim and Amanda were awakened by the Arlington Police Department and shown both of their vehicles had been spray painted, one with the words “faggots” and “queers.” While both were surprised to have this happen at their home, by young adults they didn't know, neither were shocked this type of crime could still happen. The Lovering's weren't the only family targeted by the vandals, however these messages of hate were clear. They’ve been pleased with the immediate actions taken by the APD and appreciative of the support of the LGBT community during this trying time. While the situation was a tragic sign of the homophobia that still exists in our city, it has been a great comfort to see the APD take the situation seriously. All 5 vandals have been caught and their punishment is still pending upon review of the Tarrant County District Attorney. Despite a large media reaction to the story, the couple, who are primarily focused on raising their young son, handled the attention and controversy with the kind of grace and dignity of which we should be proud.

ABOUT THE AWARD

With a sense of community, selflessness and dedication, Raina Lee, aka Gary Taylor, defined his place in Tarrant’s GLBT history. His talent for the art of female impersonation drove him to many successful endeavors and the level to which he poured his heart and soul for charitable fund-raising is unparalleled. In the late ’70s his let’s-get-together-and-celebrate-who-we-are-and-each-other outlook, set the foundation for the Pride Picnic, putting into motion what we now know as Gay Pride Week. Raina Lee Award nominees exemplify that sense of community and share the same qualities and characteristics. The award presentation is 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Bud Light Mainstage at the Pride Picnic

Todd Camp Todd used his journalism degree from Texas Christian University to begin a newspaper career that spanned more than two decades, beginning with two years at the Denton Record-Chronicle as a graphic designer, film critic and editorial cartoonist. He then spent 18 years at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram where he helped define the paper’s ground-breaking section for young people, Class Acts, and served in multiple roles over the years as a critic, reporter, section editor, copy editor, humorist, vocal performer and punching bag. Outside of his journalistic endeavors, Camp has written, directed and starred in three features; reviewed film for KXAS/Channel 5; written and illustrated three graphic novels; written and illustrated seven long-running comic strips; and was a prolific stage performer in various Metroplex community theaters. In 1998, he co-founded QCinema, the Fort Worth Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, for which he has served as Artistic Director for the past 14 years. He is currently the marketing communications analyst for the American Airlines Federal Credit Union. Camp was recently named the Community Advocate of the Year by the Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats and the first LGBT Person of the Year by the Dallas Voice. Next June, he celebrates 20 years with partner Doug Hopkins.	Mari Taylor Mari spends much of her time working with non-profit organizations both in a professional and charitable manner. With a background in education she has been the coordinator of an Adult Literacy Program here in Tarrant County. She has also used her knowledge as an educator to assist in the development of a GED prep program at The Samaritan House.      Mari thrives on helping others. She has produced shows to benefit the Barron House, Cancer Care Services, TGRA, and GPW. Her ultimate passion is singing and entertaining at these shows and anywhere she’s needed.      Mari and her partner, Robin Cagle, spend many of their weekends traveling around the US and Canada to participate and volunteer in the International Gay Rodeo Circuit (IGRA). She loves watching Robin compete in the rodeos and volunteers as often as she can. The fact that the rodeos are focused on raising money for charity helps to keep her motivated.      She considers it to be a great honor having been presented with the LOL Award in memory of Ashley Rhone.      In spite of her on-going battle with cancer, Mari continues to do as much as she can within our community. “My chosen family keeps me going on days that I want to cave in. They have been an AMAZING support system and I am blessed to call many of them friend.”	Kelly O'Neil Kelly, aka Kevin Springer, enjoys charity fundraising for non-profit organizations throughout DFW. In addition to raising money, she also enjoys recruiting new members to the organizations to help the cause. Some of the charity organizations she’s involved with include: Tarrant County Gay Pride Week, Home for the Holidays, TGRA, IGRA, United Courts of the DFW, Gay Texas State system, Meals on Wheels, AIN, Barron House, Cancer Care Services, Wall of Food and the AIDS Outreach Center. She has carried many titles throughout the years with her charity work with the organizations listed above. This year she has been heavily involved with promoting TGRA in her campaign as a candidate for Miss TGRA 2013. Winning a title, or having a crown is nice, but just knowing that my help can make a difference in someone else’s life is all the reward I need. She feels much honored to be a nominee for the Raina Lea award.