Aung Myo Min, Burma

Aung Myo Min ("Myo") serves as director of the Campaign for Lesbigay Rights in Burma (CLRB), a committee established in mid-1996, and director of the Human Rights Documentation Unit of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), the government-in-exile formed by Members of Parliament elected in 1990. His guiding passion for empowering lesbigay communities manifests in confidential workshops he organizes with gay Burmese activists who manage to go regularly to Thailand.

Prudence Mabele, South Africa

Prudence Mabele is an HIV-positive South African lesbian activist who is a tireless agent of struggle for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) in her country. She is highly visible and active as an advocate for PLWHAs in her local Pretoria community, as well as nationally, regionally, and internationally. Most recently, Mabele has been working with the Commonwealth of African States in a new program for youth called Positive Young Ambassadors of Hope which increases the visibility of HIV-positive youth and those living with AIDS in an attempt to fight the stigma and discrimination often associated with this disease.

Kiri Kiri and Chingu Sai, Korea

Kiri Kiri ("together" in Korean), founded in November 1994, has initiated a wide range of projects for the lesbian community, including counseling services through a drop-in office, support and thematic groups (for teens and for studying specific issues), internet chat rooms and virtual communities, social events, and book and magazine publication. It has formed coalitions with other progressive organizations to raise positive awareness of lesbian issues and to develop a common agenda. Chingu Sai ("between friends" in Korean) saw its establishment in 1993. It offers support to gay men in the coming out process through a hotline and regular discussion groups, educates gay men about HIV and AIDS, organizes against gay discrimination, raises public awareness, and participates in a wide array of efforts to raise public awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered lives and to build partnerships with other movements.

Simon Nkoli (1957-1998), South Africa (Honorary Posthumous Award)

Simon Nkoli was known as an anti-apartheid activist, gay and lesbian rights activist and HIV/AIDS activist. One of the accused in the Delmas treason case, Simon spent four years in prison his fight against the Apartheid regime. While in prison, he fought homophobia and opened the hearts and minds of many of his fellow prisoners by coming out and educating them with patience and determination. Simon's struggle always highlighted the interconnectedness between different movements for social justice and human rights. Simon died of AIDS related causes November 30 1998, one day short of World AIDS Day.