|
You are viewing: News and Events: Press Releases: |
Nicole Evje Theresa Sparks, President of Good Vibrations
Click to download high res image. Images courtesy Good Vibrations, for publicity use only. SAN FRANCISCO - (May 20, 2007): Join Good Vibrations, the legendary Bay Area company that takes pride in providing educational materials and accurate information on sexuality and toys for grown-ups, in celebrating Boston Pride with their President and San Francisco Pride Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal Theresa Sparks. Unlike other Grand Marshal positions, the Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal is not necessarily an annual award and is only issued to uniquely deserving recipients. This award is given to an individual who has dedicated years of service and activism toward the LGBT community throughout the course of their lifetime. Ms. Sparks was also an Honorary Grand Marshal in the 2001 San Francisco Pride Parade. "I am so proud to have been selected as Lifetime Achievement Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration. These are historic times for LGBT civil rights in this country and, once again, it is Massachusetts and California at the forefront of the movement," said Theresa Sparks. "For over 30 years Good Vibrations has been able to live the values of Boston and San Francisco and push the envelope on issues such as sex education, employee rights and transgender inclusion. I am proud to be part of Good Vibrations and I am equally proud that Good Vibrations is part of the Greater Boston community." In addition to being President of Good Vibrations, Theresa Sparks is also President of the San Francisco Police Commission, responsible for oversight of the San Francisco Police Department, and the first transgender person ever to serve on such a high-profile position in the State of California. In 2003, she was chosen as a California State Legislature's Woman of the Year. Theresa was a member of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and Transgender Civil Rights Implementation Task Force, and founded the Transgender Political Caucus. Ms. Sparks advocated for the landmark legislation granting full health care benefits for transgender employees of the City of San Francisco and protocols for how transgender individuals are treated by local law enforcement. Both of these successes are now being emulated by public and private organizations nationwide. Theresa Sparks served as a Director on the Board of the Horizons Foundation, the first LGBT-specific charitable foundation in the country. She was also the first transgender co-chair of the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, the oldest LGBT political organization in the United States. Ms. Sparks has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality California. She was selected as one of OUT Magazine's "100 LGBT Leaders in the United States" and GO! NYC Magazine's "100 Women We Love." Theresa Sparks will be in the Boston Pride Parade with Good Vibrations contingent on Saturday, June 14th beginning at noon. About Good Vibrations ### |
