Revry is excited to announce that one of our co-founders and Chief Product Officer, LaShawn McGhee, has been awarded the 2022 Etheridge Award by The City of West Hollywood and the Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board at the annual Dyke March on June 3rd. The Dyke March is committed to the goals of human rights, education, outreach, and better understanding within the queer community. The Etheridge Award is presented to a woman who has made significant impacts within and for the Lesbian community and was first presented to singer-songwriter and activist Melissa Etheridge in 2007. We had the honor to interview LaShawn McGhee about this incredible achievement.

What does receiving the Melissa Etheridge Award mean to you?

It’s an honor to be recognized by my community. This really is a testament to hard work paying off. I’m an advocate for queer stories who gets to spend my days bringing those stories to the world. This award says that the work I do has a profound impact on my community and it inspires me to push harder for inclusive representation.

How have you been inspired by past honorees including: the Honorable Sheila Kuehl, Jewel Thais-Williams, Jeanne Cordova, Ivy Bottini, Rita Gonzales, and Lorri L. Jean?

I'm in awe. These Women are unapologetic trail blazers in their respective fields and it's a bit hard to wrap my head around being in company with them. They stood up in the face of impossible odds and showed the rest of us what can be accomplished when you push forward and follow your passion for community.

How do you hope to inspire others?

My hope is that others will see that you can dream big and actually manifest those dreams. And though there are obstacles out there for Queer people, never let that stop you from taking action toward a better future.