The Hostetter-Habib Family Award
The Hostetter-Habib Family Award honors an individual whose compassion, leadership, and service have made a meaningful and tangible impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ families. This award recognizes a community changemaker whose work advances love, belonging, and equality for families — and often occurs beyond the spotlight.
About the Award
Named in honor of long-time Family Equality board member, Alex Habib, his husband Mark Hostetter, and their children, Lani, Kai, and Lea, this award is given to someone who may not be a household name but whose daily commitment makes a profound and demonstrable difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ families and their communities.
The Hostetter-Habib Family Award, presented at Family Equality’s New York City gala — Night at the Pier — each spring, shines a light on an individual whose grassroots efforts and sustained advocacy embody the spirit of belonging and community care.
Who is Eligible
Nominees for the Hostetter-Habib Family Award must:
- Be an individual whose work on behalf of LGBTQ+ families is making a real impact in their community through advocacy, service, support, organizing, education, and/or leadership.
- Be available to accept the award in person on Monday, May 11, 2026 at Night at the Pier in New York City. (Travel and accommodations provided.)
The award eligibility criteria are intentionally broad so that people doing meaningful, on-the-ground work — even without formal titles or large platforms — can be recognized. Nominations from and for people from historically underrepresented communities and intersectionalities are strongly encouraged.
Nominations are due by Wednesday, February 10, 2026, 11:59pm PT.
Evaluation and Selection
A selection committee, consisting of Family Equality staff, Night at the Pier event chairs, and members of the Hostetter-Habib family, reviews all nominations, and selects the award recipient by a majority vote. Nominees may be asked to meet virtually for a get-to-know-you meeting with two members of the selection committee as part of the evaluation process.
All nominees and nominators will hear from Family Equality if they have been selected or not by the end of February.
The selected nominee will be publicly recognized and presented with the award on stage at the Night at the Pier gala on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Previous Honorees
- 2025: Peggy Gillespie, journalist and co-founder/director of Family Diversity Projects
- 2024: Roberta Kaplan, renowned civil rights litigator
- 2023: Nicholas Hite, Managing Attorney at New Orleans Family Legal Center
- 2022: Lydia Grey-Holifield, Portland-based community advocate
- 2021 & 2020: Event not held due to COVID
- 2019: Dr. Kim Bergman, author and psychologist specializing in gay and lesbian parenting
- 2018: Dana Rudolph, founder and publisher of Mombian
- 2017: Dr. David Baker-Hargrove, President of 26Health
- 2016: Sharon Shattuck, filmmaker (“From This Day Forward”) and advocate for LGBTQ+ families
- 2015: William Hibsher, LGBTQ+ activist and attorney at Bryan Cave
- 2014: Dr. Gerald Mallon, Julia Lathrop Professor of Child Welfare and Executive Director of the National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections at the Hunter College Social Work
- 2013: Roberta Kaplan, renowned civil rights litigator
- 2012: Daryl Roth, Broadway producer and LGBTQ+ advocate
- 2011: Mary T. Keane, foster care, adoption, and youth advocate
- 2010: Dr. Jane Aronson, Founder, Worldwide Orphans Foundation
- 2009: Terry Boggis, Director of Center Kids at the LGBT Center in New York City
Join us at Night at the Pier
This May, become a part of our legacy of action. Show up for LGBTQ+ families on Monday, May 11 at Family Equality’s Night at the Pier fundraising gala in New York City for an evening of incredible performances, storytelling, and change-making — and show out for the millions of families who need our support all year-round.
