The Sandy Brown Award

PFLAG Door County held their first event on the evening Ellen DeGeneres came out on television, April 30, 1997. There are a few of us here who remember that episode! Since that night, PFLAG has consistently provided education, support, and cultural events for the LGBTQIA, Non-Binary Communities, their Allies and loved ones. They advocate at the local, state and national level to ensure decision-makers realize the issues facing our communities, and teach future generations how to use their voices for a more equal, just, and loving world. Thank you PFLAG and congratulations on your much deserved award!

DOOR COUNTY READS – With libraries under threat, this seems an appropriate time to recognize the safe place they create for our community and reward their choice of bringing an outspoken queer activist to our community. In 2025 The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune was chosen as the community-wide read. TJ is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQIA community as well as the neurodivergent community. The keynote author conversation drew 274 people. Programming included a discussion LGBTQ history as well as several other community-friendly events. It was a risk for the library which has always been an ally of the LGBTQ community.

HOPE CHURCH – (Pastor Carol).  Open And Affirming in 2001 after many years of Adult Forum discussions and sermons on the topic. They voted to affirm Marriage Equality, did a series of PFLAG workshops -including providing PFLAG with a safe space for meetings from 1994-2019. In 2021 they started an LGBTQIA+ Youth gathering. In 2023, they had the first ever PRIDE Service in Door County. And do so the Sunday after Pride Festival.

We awarded the Sevastopol School SAGA + teachers Lynn Kotte + Melissa Malcore our 2023 Sandy Brown Award for supporting students LGBTQIA+  The award was created by artist Tony Staroska of  Juddville Contemporary Clay, with additional art by Rebecca Carlton

We awarded the City of Sturgeon Bay with our 2022 Sandy Brown Award for their support of the LGBTQIA+ community. The award was created by artist Claudia Scimeca of Articipation.

A number of Write On programs have been presented specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. Write On is committed to presenting a diversity of voices and perspectives in all of their programs. Twenty-five percent of the writers awarded a residency in 2021 identify as queer and/or BIPOC. The percentage of presenters of color at their recent poetry conference was 90%. Write On recognizes the importance of providing a diversity of voices and backgrounds. We all have so much to gain when we listen to someone whose experience is different than ours.

Third Avenue Playhouse has included LGBTQ+ playwrights, stage readings and plays into its programming for years. The benefits are vast within a Community when through the beauty and safety of theater, LGBTQIA+ lives are presented. 

In recognition of their direct impact within the school since its founding in September of  2016.

Our first recipient was Sandy Brown, who we believe embodies the spirit of equality and inclusivity that Open Door Pride wishes to convey in our community. Sandy Brown is the founder of the local PFLAG chapter and staunch supporter of our LGBTQ+ community. For over 25 years, Sandy has been a pillar and beacon for LGBTQ+ community members and their allies, and in recognition of her contributions, the award was named after her (2018 award artist Jeremy Popelka).