The Academy SF has announced that Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will be inducted into the prestigious Legends Archive at the 2026 Legends Awards, which will take place on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at San Francisco’s newly restored Castro Theatre.
A trailblazing political leader, longtime champion of LGBTQ+ equality, and steadfast advocate for San Francisco, Speaker Emerita Pelosi will join a distinguished lineage of individuals whose lives and work have made an indelible impact on LGBTQ+ history and culture. Presented under the theme “A Night of Giving Thanks,” this year’s celebration will honor Pelosi’s extraordinary legacy while recognizing five additional community leaders whose contributions continue to strengthen, uplift, and inspire San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community: Mark Leno, Gael Lala-Chávez, Angel Adeyoha, Bill Pung, and Dennis Ziebell.
Nate Bourg, Co-Founder of The Academy SF, said: “San Francisco has an extraordinary LGBTQ+ history, and the Legends Awards are about recognizing the people who helped shape it. This year’s theme, ‘A Night of Giving Thanks,’ feels especially fitting as we honor Speaker Emerita Pelosi for her decades of leadership and unwavering support for our community. I can’t think of a better way to express our gratitude than by bringing our community together at the iconic Castro Theatre to give her the standing ovation she so richly deserves. It will be a very special night not to be missed.”
Legends Archive Inductees
The cover of this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times celebrates all of the Legends Archive inductees to date. They include Sister Roma (2019), Juanita MORE! (2020), Dr. Tim Seelig (2021), Graylin Thornton (2022), Peter Berlin (2023), Donna Sachet (2024), Cleve Jones (2025), and soon-to-be-inducted Speaker Emerita Pelosi.
As the first woman to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Pelosi has spent decades breaking barriers, championing equality, and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. Representing San Francisco in Congress since 1987, she has been a powerful voice for LGBTQ+ rights throughout her political career. From her early advocacy during the HIV/AIDS epidemic to her leadership in advancing marriage equality and federal protections against discrimination, she has consistently worked to bring LGBTQ+ issues to the forefront of the national conversation.
Her longstanding commitment to San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community, particularly during some of its most challenging chapters, has helped shape a legacy defined by courage, compassion, and public service. Her induction into the Legends Archive recognizes, not only her historic achievements in American politics, but also her enduring relationship with the city and community she has represented for nearly four decades.
Each year since 2019, The Academy has selected an individual whose remarkable contributions have earned them the distinction of becoming a Legend. Inductees are invited to contribute a personal artifact symbolizing their impact, which is enshrined in the permanent Legends Archive collection located throughout The Academy SF’s social club at 2166 Market Street.
2026 Community Award Honorees
In addition to Pelosi’s induction, The Academy will recognize five individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and dedication have made lasting contributions to San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community.
Mark Leno (Exemplar Award) – A longtime public servant and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Mark Leno has dedicated much of his career to advancing equality, civil rights, and social justice. As a former California State Senator, State Assemblymember, and San Francisco Supervisor, Leno has played an instrumental role in shaping policies that protect and empower LGBTQ+ individuals and communities.
Gael Lala-Chávez
(Architect Award) – A dedicated community advocate and leader, Gael Lala-Chávez will be recognized for their contributions to San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community and their commitment to fostering inclusion, representation, and connection.
Angel Adeyoha (Diane Jones Solidarity Award) – An influential LGBTQ+ community leader and advocate, Angel Adeyoha will be honored for their work supporting queer communities, strengthening community resources, and helping create spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive.
Bill Pung and Dennis Ziebell (Beacon Award) – Bill Pung and Dennis Ziebell are the recently retired longtime Castro small business owners who ran the iconic Orphan Andy’s for nearly 50 years.
2026 Legends Awards Ceremony
The Academy SF will present its annual Legends Awards on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 6–9 p.m. at the historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Previously, the event took place at another historic building in the Castro, The Swedish American Hall, which is next door to The Academy SF on Market Street.
This year’s celebration will mark a particularly special occasion as the Legends Awards will take center stage at one of the city’s most iconic cultural landmarks, bringing together community members, activists, elected officials, artists, and supporters for an evening dedicated to honoring the past while celebrating the future.
The evening will be hosted by beloved San Francisco drag personality and LGBTQ+ activist Sister Roma, with acclaimed fashion designer Zac Posen serving as a key presenter. Other key presenters will include San Francisco Bay Times columnist and 2024 Legends inductee Donna Sachet, and 2026 International Mr. Leather and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Honey Davenport. Guests will also enjoy special entertainment from Eduardo González-Maldonado and Leanne Borghesi, the Queer Chorus of San Francisco, the San Francisco Pride Band, and others, led by Music Director Russell Deason.
With its theme of A Night of Giving Thanks, the 2026 Legends Awards will celebrate the individuals who have helped shape LGBTQ+ history while recognizing the importance of preserving their legacies for generations to come. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit True North, a newly establish nonprofit organization that supports young people by providing social connections and experiences as they enter the queer community.
https://www.academy-sf.com/legends
Legends Awards
Published on November 5, 2026
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