Introduction to the C-LARAH Annual Awards

The C-LARAH Annual Awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that contribute to the health, equity, visibility, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ communities. Awards are designed to honor diverse forms of impact—academic scholarship, translational research, community engagement, leadership, and sustained service.

 

Key principles:

• Equity and inclusivity in nominations and selections
• Rigor and relevance of contributions to LGBTQ+ health
• Demonstrated impact on health outcomes, policy, education, or care delivery
• Collaboration across disciplines, communities, and institutions

 

AWARD CATEGORIES

 

1) Distinguished Scholar Award in LGBTQ+ Health

This award recognizes an exceptional researcher whose work has made significant, lasting contributions to the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority communities.

 

Priority Areas:

• Groundbreaking, methodologically rigorous research with clear implications for LGBTQ+ health
• Longitudinal or transformative impact on clinical practice, policy, or population health
• Innovative approaches to understanding health disparities, resilience, or social determinants
• Strong publication record, replication/validation of findings, and contributions to the field
• Mentorship and collaboration that advance the next generation of LGBTQ+ health researchers
• Ethical engagement with communities and responsible communication of findings

 

2) Rising Star Award

This award honors a student, post-doctoral fellow, or early-career faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional promise in LGBTQ+ health research.

 

Priority Areas:

• Early-career research with high potential for significant impact
• Demonstrated dedication, leadership, and scholarly productivity
• Innovative research ideas or methodologies
• Active engagement with LGBTQ+ communities and stakeholders
• Collaborative projects and interdisciplinary work
• Clear plan for advancing the field over the next 5–10 years

 

3) LGBTQ+ Inclusive Excellence Award

This award honors a leader who advances LGBTQ+ health equity through advocacy, research, education, and the delivery of inclusive care.

 

Priority Areas:

• Leadership that drives measurable improvements in health equity for LGBTQ+ people
• Innovative advocacy strategies and impactful policy engagement
• Commitment to inclusive education for students, trainees, and professionals
• Implementation of inclusive, patient-centered care practices and curricula
• Building and supporting diverse teams and communities
• Sustainability and scalability of inclusive initiatives

 

4) Meritorious LGBTQ+ Service Award

This award recognizes an individual, organization, or allies for meaningful, enduring, and high-impact contributions to queer rights, visibility, and advocacy.

 

Priority Areas:

• Sustained advocacy and social justice work that advances LGBTQ+ rights
• Strategic partnerships with communities, organizations, and institutions
• Timely and effective responses to need, crisis, or visibility gaps
• Public education, outreach, and stigma reduction
• Capacity-building and support for LGBTQ+ organizations or initiatives

 

 

PAST AWARDEES

 

2024 Awardees

Distinguished Scholar Award in LGBTQ+ Health

Nina T. Harawa, PhD, MPH (Professor, Epidemiology and Medicine, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health; UCLA Geffen School of Medicine; and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science)

 

Rising Star Award

James Huynh, PhD, MA, MPH (Assistant Professor, Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI)

 

2025 Awardees

Distinguished Scholar Award in LGBTQ+ Health

Ilan H. Meyer, Ph.D. (Williams Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy at the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at UCLA School of Law).

 

Rising Star Award

Elizabeth Yonko, MPH (PhD Candidate, Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health)

 

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Excellence Award

Jack Feng, MHS (PhD Student, Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health)