February 4, 2025

The John DeSmit Citizen of the Year Award

The John DeSmit Citizen of the Year Award

The Citizen Of The Year award is presented to a person who has contributed freely to making the gay community a better place to live. This contribution, although not necessarily publicly acclaimed, is one that allows each of us to move through life more freely and with more companionship among our neighbours and acquaintances.

John DeSmit was a man at ease with life and who socialized freely with everyone around him. He loved having a good time and demanded nothing from those he encountered. He showed the unaware that gay people are worth caring about. He was himself cared about by many people from all walks of life and his untimely death was a tragic loss to all who knew him.

Recipients

Rob Browatzke hugging Emperor Davvid Drag On while receiving the John DeSmit Citizen of the Year Award.

2024Dad Bod Rod
2023Stretcher Hymen
2022Pride Corner
2021Quinn Wade
2020Corey Wyness
2019Rob Browatzke
2018Estefan Cortes-Vargas
2017David Chimko (Vanity Fair)
2016Aaron Granley
2015Kim Pizzey
2014Kristy Harcourt
2013Mickey Wilson
2012Mayor Stephen Mandel
2011Deborah Jakubec
2010Deborah Chymyshyn & Tracey Smith
2009Rob Pearson
2007Laurie Blakemen
2006Rae Ann Woods; Kristopher Wells
2005Murray Billet
2004Vince Richards
2003James Ross
2002Mickey Wilson
2001Teri Hayes
2000Robert Smith
1998Fred Dicker
1997Dennis Cambly
1995Mark Bilko
1994Chance Winn
1993Conrad Dragu
1992Michael MacKinnon
1991Lloyd Gobeil
1990Mother Jean
1989Sam Evannochko
1988Kevin Hendricks
1987Kyle Edgar
1986Darrin Hagen
1985Michael Ritter
1984John M Kerr
1983Michael Phair
1982Ron and Ross Hahn
1981Pat Fortier
1980Ron Byers
1979Jim Herbert
1978John Reid