Community Service Awards
The Chuck Charleston Award-
is presented to a former member of Pride St. Louis who has dedicated of themselves and extraordinary amount of energy to ensuring that the Pride movement is further strengthened through their work both in the community and certainly on behalf of Pride St. Louis.
Chuck Charleston was known for many years within the St. Louis LGBT community. He was always supportive of local organizations through energy, talents, and dedication. Chuck was also an early supporter of local Pride Celebration efforts and was always there ready to pitch in and work wherever needed.
Many people remember Chuck as the manager of Faces, and a long time employee of its predecessor, The Red Bull in East St. Louis.
Chuck Charleston died on April 21, 1988 and will be remembered for his involvement—public and private—in many causes and charities. He worked with many among us, lending his support and resources to numerous local events, and often doing so quietly behind the scenes, receiving little credit.
In June 1988, Pride St. Louis created the Chuck Charleston Award to acknowledge individuals who, in the example of its namesake, demonstrate significant involvement and service promoting LGBT Pride in our community.
Felton T. Day Award
is presented to a person not associated with Pride St. Louis whose service to the LGBT Community goes above and beyond the call of duty and who best exemplifies the spirit of leadership of service to one’s community.
In March 1987 the St. Louis LGBT community lost an individual who quietly and unselfishly served our community with pride for many years. His name was Felton T. Day.
Many may not have known him by name, but perhaps saw him for many years mixing at the DJ booth of Martin's or arranging a benefit show for countless organizations—or on stage himself—as Felicity of the T.W.I.T.'s.
Whether it was a community benefit show or lending a hand to a fellow human being, Felton was always on hand running lights and sound, decorating stages, costuming, and generally giving of his own good spirits to the benefit of many.
In June 1987, Pride St. Louis created the annual Felton T. Day Memorial Award to honor persons not associated with Pride St. Louis who demonstrate the spirit of community service and individual dedication exemplified by Felton T. Day.
The Jim Hoefer Award
is presented to an organization that best exemplifies what it means to serve St. Louis’ LGBT Community.
In 2001, St. Louis lost a good-hearted, special individual to cancer—Jim Hoefer.
For Pride St. Louis, he will always be known as their treasurer, and more importantly, as a friend.
Jim served as Pride St. Louis' treasurer in a time when the organization needed him most. He provided the organization sound advice, a stable foundation which would help future PSL treasurers, and kept the organization focused on maintaining their fiscal responsibilities to the St. Louis LGBT Community.
But Jim was more than just numbers. His interests and background included his wonderful partner, Richard as well as his work with both the Gateway Men's Chorus and MCC. He was also once a member of the clergy. Pride St. Louis will always remember him, however, as someone who was unafraid to confront issues and speak his mind. His voice lent so much to Pride St. Louis and helped to shape how St. Louis views PrideFest today.
Jim's compassion, intellect and drive to excel will clearly be missed by many in St. Louis. In light of the fact that he worked tirelessly for other organizations within the community, Pride St. Louis honors his name with the Jim Hoefer Award presented to an organization that best exemplifies what it means to serve St. Louis' LGBT Community.
The Lisa Wagaman Lifetime Community Service Award
is presented to an individual who has spent much of their life to further the Pride movement and LGBT causes.
A native of New Jersey, Lisa Wagaman relocated to St. Louis in 1972. It was the heyday of the early LGBT rights movement and Lisa became intimately involved in the formation of the local MCC Church, Mid Continent Life Services Corporation (Our first LGBT Center), The Hotline and The Magnolia Committee (which became Pride St. Louis).
An out transwoman, Lisa was one of our community’s greatest cheerleaders and could be found at events both large and small from grass roots organizing to helping orchestrate the 1987 National March on Washington.
Known as Missouri’s only official “Dyke” after a brief fight with the state to keep her unique license plate, Lisa was a dedicated member and frequent officer of Pride St. Louis from its inception until her death on April 15, 2009 at age 65.
In June 2009 The Lisa Wagaman Lifetime Community Service Award was created in her memory to honor an individual who has spent much of their life to further the Pride movement and LGBT causes.
is presented to a former member of Pride St. Louis who has dedicated of themselves and extraordinary amount of energy to ensuring that the Pride movement is further strengthened through their work both in the community and certainly on behalf of Pride St. Louis.
Chuck Charleston was known for many years within the St. Louis LGBT community. He was always supportive of local organizations through energy, talents, and dedication. Chuck was also an early supporter of local Pride Celebration efforts and was always there ready to pitch in and work wherever needed.
Many people remember Chuck as the manager of Faces, and a long time employee of its predecessor, The Red Bull in East St. Louis.
Chuck Charleston died on April 21, 1988 and will be remembered for his involvement—public and private—in many causes and charities. He worked with many among us, lending his support and resources to numerous local events, and often doing so quietly behind the scenes, receiving little credit.
In June 1988, Pride St. Louis created the Chuck Charleston Award to acknowledge individuals who, in the example of its namesake, demonstrate significant involvement and service promoting LGBT Pride in our community.
Felton T. Day Award
is presented to a person not associated with Pride St. Louis whose service to the LGBT Community goes above and beyond the call of duty and who best exemplifies the spirit of leadership of service to one’s community.
In March 1987 the St. Louis LGBT community lost an individual who quietly and unselfishly served our community with pride for many years. His name was Felton T. Day.
Many may not have known him by name, but perhaps saw him for many years mixing at the DJ booth of Martin's or arranging a benefit show for countless organizations—or on stage himself—as Felicity of the T.W.I.T.'s.
Whether it was a community benefit show or lending a hand to a fellow human being, Felton was always on hand running lights and sound, decorating stages, costuming, and generally giving of his own good spirits to the benefit of many.
In June 1987, Pride St. Louis created the annual Felton T. Day Memorial Award to honor persons not associated with Pride St. Louis who demonstrate the spirit of community service and individual dedication exemplified by Felton T. Day.
The Jim Hoefer Award
is presented to an organization that best exemplifies what it means to serve St. Louis’ LGBT Community.
In 2001, St. Louis lost a good-hearted, special individual to cancer—Jim Hoefer.
For Pride St. Louis, he will always be known as their treasurer, and more importantly, as a friend.
Jim served as Pride St. Louis' treasurer in a time when the organization needed him most. He provided the organization sound advice, a stable foundation which would help future PSL treasurers, and kept the organization focused on maintaining their fiscal responsibilities to the St. Louis LGBT Community.
But Jim was more than just numbers. His interests and background included his wonderful partner, Richard as well as his work with both the Gateway Men's Chorus and MCC. He was also once a member of the clergy. Pride St. Louis will always remember him, however, as someone who was unafraid to confront issues and speak his mind. His voice lent so much to Pride St. Louis and helped to shape how St. Louis views PrideFest today.
Jim's compassion, intellect and drive to excel will clearly be missed by many in St. Louis. In light of the fact that he worked tirelessly for other organizations within the community, Pride St. Louis honors his name with the Jim Hoefer Award presented to an organization that best exemplifies what it means to serve St. Louis' LGBT Community.
The Lisa Wagaman Lifetime Community Service Award
is presented to an individual who has spent much of their life to further the Pride movement and LGBT causes.
A native of New Jersey, Lisa Wagaman relocated to St. Louis in 1972. It was the heyday of the early LGBT rights movement and Lisa became intimately involved in the formation of the local MCC Church, Mid Continent Life Services Corporation (Our first LGBT Center), The Hotline and The Magnolia Committee (which became Pride St. Louis).
An out transwoman, Lisa was one of our community’s greatest cheerleaders and could be found at events both large and small from grass roots organizing to helping orchestrate the 1987 National March on Washington.
Known as Missouri’s only official “Dyke” after a brief fight with the state to keep her unique license plate, Lisa was a dedicated member and frequent officer of Pride St. Louis from its inception until her death on April 15, 2009 at age 65.
In June 2009 The Lisa Wagaman Lifetime Community Service Award was created in her memory to honor an individual who has spent much of their life to further the Pride movement and LGBT causes.
P.O. Box 440383 St. Louis, MO 63144 pride@pridestl.org
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Mission Statement of Pride St. Louis, Inc.
To foster an understanding and tolerance of the LGBT Community in the general population by raising awareness through educational programs and events
To foster an understanding and tolerance of the LGBT Community in the general population by raising awareness through educational programs and events