New England-based GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), one of the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ legal rights organizations, will present its 2025 Spirit of Justice Award to Tony Hoang, executive director of Equality California (EQCA), for his visionary, influential, and intersectional leadership in the movement for LGBTQ+ equality. Hoang will receive the award at the Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner in Boston Nov. 6.
“Local leaders like Tony Hoang power the LGBTQ+ movement—working on the ground to identify needs in their communities, marshalling the resources to meet them through innovative programs and policy, and contributing to the playbook to expand protections and support for LGBTQ+ people around the country,” said Ricardo Martinez, GLAD Law’s Executive Director.
“As leader of the country’s largest LGBTQ+ statewide civil rights organization, Tony brings the strategic leadership needed to fight the relentless attacks on our community, especially transgender and nonbinary youth. In a period of increasing political opposition to LGBTQ+ equality, Equality California has steadfastly worked to safeguard important civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Californians. Tony’s leadership to proactively secure fairness, safety, and dignity for LGBTQ+ people shows us we can create opportunities to advance justice even in a hostile climate. We’re proud to honor him with this year’s Spirit of Justice Award.”
The Spirit of Justice Award recognizes individuals whose courage, vision, and impact embody the fight for justice.
Hoang has dedicated his career to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and has served as executive director of Equality California since 2021. His tenure with the organization dates to 2009, when he began as a field intern. He then held multiple roles including database and volunteer manager, director of operations, chief of staff, and managing director before his current position. The son of Vietnam War refugees, Hoang is the first Asian American person to lead ECQA, bringing with him an understanding of the marginalized intersections of sexuality, gender, race, and immigration status in the U.S. Under his leadership, ECQA has significantly boosted its budget, staff, and programming—particularly its advocacy and racial justice initiatives.
— from a GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) press release
More: gladlaw.org
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