Nancy Pelosi Honored November 22 at SF’s Castro Theatre with Legend Award
Media Contacts: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
Nate Bourg / The Academy SF / (415) 853-5050 / nate@academy-sf.com
Nancy Pelosi Named 2026 Legends Archive Award Inductee from SF Academy
Speaker Emerita to Accept Honor In Person November 22 at Castro Theatre
Event hosted by Sister Roma and featuring key presenter ZacPosen,
will also recognize community leaders
Mark Leno, Gael Lala-Chávez, Angel Adeyoha,
Bill Pung, and Dennis Ziebell
Musical Guests and Presenters include International Mr. Leather Honey Davenport, Donna Sachet,
the Queer Chorus of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Pride Band
10 November 2026 – San Francisco: Surfing proudly on the blue wave that swept across the country on November 3, The Academy SF is proud to announce that Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will be inducted into the prestigious Legends Archive at the 2026 Legends Awards. Pelosi will accept the award in person Sunday, November22, at SanFrancisco’s newly restored Castro Theatre.
A trailblazing political leader, longtime champion of LGBTQ+ equality, and steadfast advocate for San Francisco, Speaker Emerita Pelosi joins 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 three 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.
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 include Drag Legend 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.
“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,” said Nate Bourg, Co-Founder of The Academy SF.
NancyPelosiNamed2026LegendsArchiveInductee:
As the first woman to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has spent decades breaking barriers, championing equality, and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
Representing San Francisco in Congress since 1987, Pelosi 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. Pelosi’s 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’s social club at 2166 Market Street.
Past honorees include Sister Roma (2019), Juanita MORE! (2020), Dr. Tim Seelig (2021), Graylin Thornton (2022), Peter Berlin (2023), Donna Sachet (2024), and Cleve Jones (2025).
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, presented by the San Francisco Bay Times)– recently retired longtime Castro small business owners who ran the iconic Orphan Andy’s for over 50 years.
LegendsAwardsCeremony— Sunday, November22:
The Academy will present its annual Legends Awards on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 6–9 p.m. at the historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco. This year’s celebration marks a particularly special occasion as the Legends Awards 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.Hosted by Sister Roma, the evening will feature special appearances and presentations, including Zac Posen, alongside live 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 “ANightofGivingThanks,”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 brand new non profit organization that supports young people by providing social connections and experiences as they enter the queer community.
AboutTheAcademy:
The Academy is a LGBTQ+ social club and event space, open to all, focused on promoting genuine social interactions while offering engaging programming in collaboration with nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and leading community members. The Club is located in San Francisco’s Castro District at 2166 Market Street, and was founded in 2017 by Paul Miller and Nate Bourg. Membership in The Academy’s social club is open to anyone who wishes to apply — all are welcome — and aspires to be diverse in age, race, gender, and social standing, with all members sharing a common interest in engaging in the community and valuing in-person interactions.
Event: The Academy Presents 2026 Legends Awards: A Night of Giving Thanks
Honoring: Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, 2026 Legends Archive Inductee
Community Award Honorees: Mark Leno, Gael Lala-Chávez, Angel Adeyoha, Bill Pung, and Dennis Ziebell
Host: Sister Roma
Key Presenters: Zac Posen, Donna Sachet, Honey Davenport
Entertainment: Eduardo González-Maldonado, Leanne Borghesi, Queer Chorus of SF, SF Pride Band
When: Sunday, November 22, 2026 (6pm – 9pm)
When: Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco
Tickets: https://thecastro.com/events/legends-awards-261122
Presented by: The Academy SF
Exclusive Promotional Media Sponsor: the SanFranciscoBayTimes
Website:https://www.academy-sf.com