After five decades of fighting for the rights of LGBTQ+ and Black communities, New Orleans activist Kenneth J. Mitchell was recently honored with The Carmen Vázquez SAGE Award for Excellence in Leadership on Aging Issues, a national award presented to an individual who exemplifies outstanding leadership in advocating for LGBTQ+ elders.
Dedicated to supporting marginalized communities in New Orleans and beyond, Kenneth had a hand in founding several local advocacy organizations, including the New Orleans Advocates for LGBTQ+ Elders (NOAGE), Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus (LAGPAC), Langston/Jones Society and Men of Color New Orleans. Over the years, Mitchell has also volunteered for various national organizations to promote equity.
Kenneth shares, “Ever since coming out, it has been a passion of mine to build bridges, enlighten others and to use my talents and resources to help individuals and society heal from the damaging effects of homophobia and its ripple effects. Freeing people in the LGBTQIA+ communities frees us all… Bigotry and prejudice hold a society back, interfering with unrealized and untapped potential.”
SAGE, the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders, presented Kenneth J. Mitchell with the Carmen Vázquez SAGE Award for Excellence in Leadership on Aging at this year’s National LGBTQ+ Task Force Creating Change conference, which opened January 16. […]
Click here to read the full piece. This story was originally published by Queer Forty on February 1, 2024.
