Community Spirit
BJ Bud Spirit Award
RipplePHX
RipplePHX is a back-to-grass-roots project created for our LGBTQ+ community to address today’s HIV virus through impact-focused splashes of awareness, action, love, and celebrations of sexual expression. RipplePHX’s Team moves throughout the streets each week to empower our friends to create their own ripple by becoming informed, sharing the knowledge, and embracing at least one tool in the greater movement toward sexual health in our community.
John Bircumshaw Spirit Award
Navi Ho
Rooted in Phoenix, Arizona, Navi Ho belongs to the Many Goats (Tłʼízí lání) and Coyote Pass (Maʼii Deeshgiizhinii) clans. Their educational background includes a Bachelor's in Psychology from Arizona State University. As a Two Spirit and gay individual, Navi embraces their cultural heritage and understands the significant role of Two Spirit people within their traditions.
Navi is a passionate advocate and empowering force within the 2SLGBTQI+ community. They serve as a Sister of the Grand Canyon Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and hold the distinction of being the first Native American Empress elected by the Imperial Court of Arizona. Their commitment extends to the drag community, where they utilize their platform to raise funds and awareness for various causes. Navi has also held titles such as Miss Montana Two Spirit and has been instrumental in organizing the Arizona Two Spirit Powwow for several years. Navi had the pleasure of representing Boycott as Miss Boycott 2025 and places 2nd alternate at the Mister and Miss Phoenix Pride 2025. They will be heading to Dallas, TX to complete in the Miss Gay USofA Newcomer pageant. Grounded in the strength of their community, Navi continues to pursue new endeavors with gratitude and love.
Howard & Patricia Fleischmann
My Pool Boyz
My pool boyz is a proud LGBT-owned pool service company dedicated to providing top-notch care with a splash of pride. From sparkling clean pools, expert repairs, we ensure your pool is always ready for fun. Dive in with us!"
Mayor Phil Gordon Spirit Award
Phoenix Councilwoman Debra Stark
Debra Stark represents District 3 on the Phoenix City Council. Stark was first appointed Councilmember in 2016 and elected by voters in 2017 and 2020. She secured her reelection in 2024.
Stark has spent her entire career as a public servant in local government. Her first career position was a planner for the City of Phoenix after receiving her Master's in Planning from Arizona State University. She then went to work for Maricopa County as the Planning Manager where she supervised the Planning Division and worked on the Maricopa County Comprehensive Plan. She then took her knowledge to the city of Peoria as Community Development Director where she managed the operations of the Community Development Department and worked with the Mayor and Council to implement the first design review ordinance for the city of Peoria.
Stark is married to Brian, and they are proud parents of a son and daughter.
Kirk Baxter Spirit Award
Chase Cramer
Chase Cramer is a passionate public health advocate, performer, and educator who has worked in HIV prevention and sexual health outreach since 2017. By day, Chase serves as the Outreach Coordinator and Medical Assistant at Your Health and Wellness, an LGBTQ+ owned and operated primary care clinic, where he connects the community to affirming, culturally competent care.
Online, Chase is the creator behind ChaseinSexEd, a TikTok platform with over 200,000 followers, where he delivers accessible and inclusive sex education to a wide-ranging audience.
Kirk Baxter Spirit Award
Stacey Jay Cavaliere
Stacey Jay Cavaliere is a nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience advocating for marginalized communities, including those living with HIV. Committed to justice and health equity, he has served on boards like Phoenix Pride and Ripple PHX and is currently a board member at NAMI Valley of the Sun. Stacey Jay is humbled to receive this award named after one of his personal heroes, Kirk Baxter, and is inspired every day by this resilient community, his hard-working staff, and his supportive family. As a long-term survivor - and thriver - of HIV, he remains deeply committed to ending HIV in Arizona through his leadership as Executive Director at Aunt Rita’s Foundation.
Easley's Spirit Award
Governor Katie Hobbs
Born and raised in Arizona, Governor Hobbs has spent her life exemplifying hard work and public service. After putting herself through college at both NAU and ASU, she began her career as a social worker working with homeless youth and later helped run one of the largest domestic violence shelters in the country. After seeing her fellow Arizonans continue to struggle with little action from the government, Governor Hobbs decided to take matters into her own hands and run for office.
With over a decade of public service, Governor Hobbs sees her role in government as a continuation of her social work. In her first term, she has already moved the needle forward on some of our state’s most critical issues, including housing, water security, and economic development. Governor Hobbs approaches every situation and every challenge with a desire to make people’s lives better and give every Arizonan an opportunity to thrive.
Tish Tanner Spirit Award
Adriana Galliano
Adriana Galliano from Mexico City. I came to Arizona at a young age to further my education. Began the art of female impersonation at 21 years old. Performing for 14 years and competing in various systems winning the titles of Miss Karamba, Miss Krazzy Latinos, Miss Gay Arizona USofA Newcomer, Miss Gay Supernova USofA Newcomer, Miss Gay Phoenix America, Miss Gay Arizona America 2017 and Miss Phoenix Pride 2024.
Brandon Packer Spirit Award
Dick Skinny
On stage, Chase is known as Dick Skinny, the charismatic drag king who earned the titles of Mr. Stacy’s 2024 and Mister Phoenix Pride 2024. A two-time WGI Open Class finalist, Dick Skinny blends athleticism, theatricality, and advocacy into every performance—using drag as a platform for visibility, empowerment, and joy.
From clinics to stages to social media feeds, Chase Cramer is committed to building a healthier, more informed, and more vibrant community.
Linda Hoffman Spirit Award
Dawn Bowman
Alero Mills-Ridley is a wife and mother of three beautiful children. Since 2002, she has been blessed to volunteer with Phoenix Pride in various roles. Her passions include assisting the unhoused, providing education and testing for HIV, and guiding youth to become prosperous individuals with a purpose of excellence. Currently, she is employed in the fields of Behavioral Law, Education, and Logistics for Youth.
Danny Becht Spirit Award
Isreal O’Bannon
Isreal O'Bannon was born and raised here in Phoenix. He began volunteering for Phoenix Pride in 2016 and is an active member of his community. He is part of the East Sunnyslope Neighborhood Watch Association in North Phoenix, where he serves as the block watch captain for his apartment complex. When he’s not involved in the neighborhood watch, he promotes Sunday Night Slow Jams with R.Dub by sharing posts about his show on social media. He also posts about upcoming Phoenix Pride events on his social media channels.
He said, "I like volunteering for the Phoenix Pride events and volunteering in general because I understand how it is to need help and not have it. So, if I can help and get things done, I enjoy doing that."
Scholarships
Derick Truong
Derick Truong is a passionate advocate and emerging healthcare professional dedicated to advancing health equity and inclusive care, especially for LGBTQ+ communities. With a Master of Public Health and a Master of Science in Nursing in progress, Derick bridges community needs with culturally competent, affirming healthcare. He has served as a state officer for Arizona HOSA, led medical mission trips through Mexizona, and worked extensively in public health outreach and leadership development. Whether mentoring future leaders, advocating for underserved populations, or supporting his team in fast-paced service environments, Derick leads with empathy, purpose, and a deep commitment to transforming healthcare into a space where everyone feels safe, seen, and valued.
Diego Torres Gonzales
Diego Torres Gonzales is a 2025 Phoenix Pride Scholarship recipient currently preparing to enter a nursing program in the spring. With a deep passion for critical care nursing, Diego is committed to building a strong foundation for a future in healthcare. He looks forward to supporting patients in their most vulnerable moments and making a meaningful impact in the field. Receiving this scholarship has brought him one step closer to his goals, and he is excited for the journey ahead.
Sierra Orosco
Sierra Orosco, pronouns are she/her. Sierra is 19 years old studying social work at Arizona State University, while also working as a preschool/kindergarten teacher. Sierra genuinely thanks Phoenix Pride and funders for the Phoenix Pride Scholarship.
Sofía Brito
Sofía Brito is a lesbian activist born in Ecuador and a U.S. citizen. She is a journalist and holds a master's degree in communication and public opinion. She has coordinated regional projects in Latin America on LGBTIQ+ migrants, refugees, and forcibly displaced people. She has worked with LGBTIQ+ organizations in Ecuador, such as Diálogo Diverso. She also founded the Network of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women, Existimos, in Quito, Ecuador. She was a Senior Advisor on the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council, representing lesbian women, of the National Council for Gender Equality in Ecuador. She is currently a master’s student in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at Arizona State University.
Nemanja Demic
Nemanja Demic (they/them) is a second-year graduate student in the Master of Counseling program at Arizona State University. A former elementary school teacher turned non-profit professional, Nemanja is now pursuing a career in counseling with a primary focus on supporting queer-identifying populations. Their research interests center on the intersection of queerness and other marginalized identities, with a commitment to affirming, inclusive, and justice-oriented care.
Karla Mercado
Karla Mercado is a recent high school graduate and a 2025 Phoenix Pride Scholarship recipient with plans to pursue a degree in nursing. Driven by a passion for helping others, Karla is committed to creating a safe, caring environment for those in need. She is deeply grateful for the support of the Phoenix Pride Scholarship and looks forward to beginning her journey in healthcare with excitement and purpose.
Jesse Aminian
Jesse Aminian is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science at Arizona State University, driven by a deep passion for politics and public speaking. Alongside his academic focus, he is studying Arabic, inspired by a lifelong goal to become fluent in a second language and foster deeper connections with diverse cultures.
Navigating life with Tourette Syndrome and the complexities of his identity, Jesse has faced — and challenged — limiting perceptions about what is possible. Through these experiences, he has cultivated resilience, empathy, and a commitment to turning adversity into strength. His journey reflects a dedication to equity, community service, and living authentically with courage and pride.
Receiving a Phoenix Pride Scholarship is a powerful affirmation for Jesse — not just of his goals, but of the value of his story. Grateful for the support, he is determined to give back and create meaningful change in the lives of others.
Mia Barre
Mia Barre is currently pursuing her education in healthcare and is deeply passionate about helping others and making a positive impact in her community. She is honored to be selected as a 2025 Phoenix Pride Scholarship recipient. This support plays a meaningful role in her journey toward achieving her goals, and she is grateful for the continued encouragement along the way.
India Davis
India Davis graduated North High School’s International Baccalaureate program Summa Cum Laude on May 20, 2025, with a 4.76 weighted GPA. At North, India was a proud member of the National Honor Society and aided her classmates and North’s faculty as an IB Program Ambassador, Link Crew Leader, and North Family of Leaders Fellow.
Personally, India loves to travel. She took to the skies early, learning to pilot her first small aircraft at age 11. While attending Stanford University focused on Business and International Relations, India intends to find time to obtain her private pilot’s license.
Ramón Gallardo
Ramón Gallardo is a passionate mental health advocate whose journey began after surviving a traumatic brain injury. Through resilience and reflection, he transformed trauma into a source of strength, using those experiences to help others navigate their own challenges. Inspired by the unwavering perseverance of his mother, Ramón is deeply committed to uplifting others and creating meaningful impact—particularly within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Currently a student at Phoenix College, Ramón is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health and sciences with the goal of expanding his advocacy into a professional practice. He actively volunteers with several nonprofits serving under-insured individuals, paralyzed veterans, and seniors. In addition to his volunteer work, Ramón serves on the board of the Lambda Phoenix Center, where he also facilitates two weekly peer-led sobriety meetings. As a 2025 Phoenix Pride Scholarship recipient, Ramón continues to champion a world where facing one’s struggles is recognized as a powerful act of courage.
Daniel Cook
Daniel Cook is a proud Arizonan and Eagle Scout. He plans to Major in computer science at the ASU-West Valley Campus, with the goal to make video games that appeal to a wide variety of audiences. While at ASU, Daniel plans to continue his love of music by trying out for the ASU philharmonic orchestra and runs every day with the goal of making ASU’s track team. In addition, Daniel has helped create videos on LGBTQ+ representation in media and even voice acted cis-women characters. In the future, he hopes to run for office, addressing social issues, to make America a country worth living in.
Seanelle Carlisle
Seanelle Carlisle is excited to attend Barrett Honors College in the fall. As a first-generation college student academic success and college access is very important to her. She will be studying Mechanical Engineering and Sustainability with the hope of graduating with two bachelor’s degrees within the next four years. She’s inspired by her parent’s resilience and strong work ethic as their both business owners who work tirelessly to support her and her siblings’ dreams. As Seanelle pursues her dreams, she will always remember the importance of community and opportunity hoping to provide a basis of love and support to everyone she works with in the future.
Jenna Vanderhulst
Jenna Vanderhulst is entering her 2nd year at Mount Holyoke College and is planning to double major in Environmental Studies and Gender Studies. She is very grateful to Phoenix Pride for helping her attend her dream college and study these extremely important subjects.
