The V. Shamim Sisson Ally of the Year Award seeks to recognize a member of the University of Virginia community who has gone above and beyond in their daily life in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, furthering the rights and acceptance of trans/queer-identified individuals at the University of Virginia and beyond.

Please read the following information before submitting your nomination:

Being an ally with the LGBTQIA+ community is the process of working to develop individual attitudes, institutions, and culture in which LGBTQIA+ people feel safe and valued. Allies actively work to end homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, aphobia, heterosexism, and cisgenderism. Allies can identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans(gender), cisgender, intersex, queer, questioning, asexual or heterosexual.

Understanding that allies come in many forms and with varying access to resources, we encourage and welcome student, faculty, staff, and alumni nominees. This award brings necessary attention to the important role that allies play in the fight for equality, social justice, and the advancement of the LGBTQ+ community.

To learn more about V. Shamim Sisson and previous recipients, visit: https://aig.alumni.virginia.edu/serpentine/awards-2/v-shamim-sisson-ally-of-the-year-award/

Nominations are due by September 28, 2020 at 8:00 am and should include a minimum of 300 words describing how the candidate meets the award's criteria and is an outstanding ally. Please contact Alex Winkowski, Program Coordinator - LGBTQ Student Services, with any questions (alexw@virginia.edu).