2026 Pride in Excellence Awards Recipients

The City of Dallas hosted the 2026 Pride in Excellence Awards Reception today in celebration of pride month on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

The awards reception, which included special words from Council Members Chad West and Laura Cadena recognized LGBTQ+ leaders in Dallas in the fields of business, civic engagement, public service, arts & culture, and philanthropy. Awards were distributed to the following community leaders:

Honoring a trailblazer whose fearless advocacy and groundbreaking work have paved the way for progress, visibility, and equity in the LGBTQ+ community.

Libby Gonzales is a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ equality whose courage, leadership, and commitment to public service have made a lasting impact at a remarkably young age. As a transgender youth, she has become a powerful voice for her community, speaking with elected officials, challenging discriminatory legislation, and helping foster greater understanding of the experiences of transgender young people.

Libby first began advocating for transgender rights at the age of seven and has continued to use her platform to promote inclusion, visibility, and acceptance. Her efforts include organizing the first Trans Prom at the U.S. Capitol and using fashion, storytelling, and public engagement as tools for education and change. Through her advocacy, she has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity and a steadfast commitment to creating a more equitable future.

Her leadership, compassion, and dedication to uplifting others exemplify the spirit of the Kirk Myers-Hill Pioneer in PRIDE Award and serve as an inspiration to communities across the country.

Recognizing a leader whose outstanding dedication to public service and inclusive leadership embodies the spirit of advocacy, courage, and community.

Hon. Omar Narvaez is a dedicated public servant and community advocate whose career has been marked by a commitment to equity, representation, and inclusive leadership. A former Dallas City Council Member representing District 6, he spent years championing neighborhood investment, economic opportunity, and policies that improved the quality of life for Dallas residents.

As an openly gay elected official, Narvaez has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and equality, helping pave the way for greater representation in public service. His election as Justice of the Peace for Precinct 5, Place 2 marked a historic milestone, further advancing LGBTQ+ representation in Texas. Through his leadership, integrity, and service, Omar Narvaez continues to inspire and strengthen the communities he serves.

Visit Dallas is recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Business Award for its continued commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion, innovation, and excellence within the tourism and hospitality industry. As the official destination marketing organization for Dallas, it has actively worked to promote the city as a welcoming and inclusive destination through partnerships, inclusive storytelling, and support of community-driven events and initiatives.

Through its efforts to elevate diverse voices and strengthen connections with LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses, Visit Dallas has helped foster a more inclusive visitor experience while contributing to the city’s broader economic and cultural growth. Its leadership reflects a sustained dedication to ensuring Dallas is represented as a vibrant, welcoming city for all.

Juan Contreras is a Dallas native from Oak Cliff whose lifelong commitment to community empowerment has made him a leading voice in LGBTQ+ and Latino advocacy. As the founder of Texas Latino Pride and International Director of Advocacy for SOMOSLOUD, the Latino outreach and advocacy division of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, he has spent more than a decade advancing health equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and Latino community empowerment through grassroots organizing and national coalition-building.

A former president of the LULAC North Texas LGBTQ Chapter, Juan has been active in advocacy and community organizing since 2010, creating programs and spaces that amplify underrepresented voices and foster connection across Dallas communities. His work includes initiatives such as One City, Many Colors, Know Your Rights forums, community gatherings, and the Queer Trans Liberation March, all centered on visibility, education, and unity.

Juan’s leadership is deeply rooted in Dallas and reflects a lifelong dedication to ensuring LGBTQ+ and Latino communities are seen, supported, and celebrated. His work continues to strengthen community bonds and expand opportunities for civic engagement and inclusion across the city.

Hon. Julie Johnson is a public servant, attorney, and longtime advocate for equality whose career has been defined by her commitment to justice, community representation, and the protection of civil rights. A native of the Dallas area, she has served in the Texas House of Representatives and, more recently, as a U.S. Representative, where she has continued to champion policies that strengthen public education, expand access to healthcare, and protect fundamental freedoms for all Texans.

As one of the first openly LGBTQ+ women elected to the Texas Legislature and later to Congress, Johnson has been a consistent and visible advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, working to advance legislation that promotes equality, safety, and dignity for all communities. Her leadership has been grounded in public service and a belief that government should work to protect and uplift those it serves.

Julie Johnson is recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Public Service Award for her unwavering commitment to advancing inclusive policies and her sustained advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights at both the state and national level.

Jerome Larez is a distinguished community advocate and creative leader whose work at the intersection of arts, culture, and social impact has advanced visibility and support for LGBTQ+ communities. A proud graduate of Texas Tech University, he has translated his education and leadership into meaningful contributions through both advocacy and cultural programming.

As the founder of Arttitude and Managing Director of Dune’s LGBT Homeless Solutions Foundation, Jerome has combined creativity with direct service to foster inclusion, elevate LGBTQ+ narratives, and provide critical resources for individuals experiencing homelessness. His work bridges art and activism, using cultural expression as a tool for healing, awareness, and community empowerment.

He played a key role in the creation and unveiling of the “Silence Has Never Served Us” mural in Oak Lawn, a powerful public artwork honoring LGBTQ+ resilience, visibility, and advocacy. Through his leadership, Jerome has helped expand inclusive cultural spaces while ensuring LGBTQ+ voices are represented in meaningful and lasting ways.

Jerome Larez is recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Arts and Culture Award for his contributions to LGBTQ+ representation through art, advocacy, and community-centered creative work.

Cece Cox is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader and longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, with more than three decades of service advancing equity, health access, and inclusion in North Texas. As Chief Executive Officer of the Resource Center, she leads one of the largest LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS service organizations in the country, overseeing comprehensive programs that provide healthcare, housing support, mental health services, and community resources to more than 60,000 individuals annually.

Under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly in both size and impact, expanding affirming healthcare services and developing major initiatives such as LGBTQ+-inclusive affordable housing and community health centers designed to address gaps in care. Cox has also played a key role in advancing local nondiscrimination protections and strengthening policies that support LGBTQ+ youth and families across Dallas.

A respected voice in civic and nonprofit leadership, she has helped shape a more inclusive and responsive support system for LGBTQ+ communities while promoting dignity, access, and long-term stability for those most in need.

Cece Cox is recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Health and Human Services Award for her decades of transformative leadership and her unwavering commitment to improving the well-being, access, and equity of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities.

Mark Niermann & Enrique Macgregor are visionary philanthropic leaders whose long-standing commitment to strategic giving has had a lasting impact on LGBTQ+ inclusion and civic life in Dallas. As co-founders of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Dallas, they helped pioneer an innovative model of community philanthropy that channels collective giving to support organizations across the city while advancing equity, visibility, and inclusion.

Since its founding in 2000, their work has helped raise significant support for Dallas-area nonprofits and foster meaningful partnerships that encourage beneficiary organizations to adopt more inclusive policies and practices. Their leadership has strengthened both cultural and civic institutions while expanding the reach and impact of LGBTQ+ philanthropy within the broader Dallas community.

Through decades of dedication, Mark and Enrique have demonstrated how intentional, community-driven giving can create lasting and transformative change, helping to position LGBTQ+ philanthropy as a powerful force for civic good.

Mark Niermann & Enrique Macgregor are recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Philanthropy Award for their generosity, vision, and enduring impact on LGBTQ+ initiatives and lives.