We are excited to announce that Dr. Kenneth H. Mayer, Medical Research Director at Fenway Health and Co-Director of The Fenway Institute, has been named as a recipient of The History Project‘s 2020 History Maker Award. The History Project is the only organization focused exclusively on documenting and preserving the history of New England’s LGBTQ communities and sharing that history with LGBTQ individuals, organizations, allies, and the public. Its expansive archives include many documents, photographs, and memorabilia from Fenway Health’s history.
As The History Project’s announcement explained, “Dr. Kenneth Mayer is one of the first clinical researchers in Boston to see patients with HIV and AIDS. Throughout his career, he has made a significant impact by researching, mentoring, and teaching, and providing care to people living with HIV.”
The History Project has presented the HistoryMaker Award since 2009 to those whose lifetime achievements have had a significant and positive effect on Boston and Massachusetts’ LGBTQ communities. Past recipients of the award include Congressman Barney Frank, State Representative Byron Rushing, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project director Mary Bonauto, BAGLY executive director Grace Sterling Stowell, Abe Rybeck from the Theater Offensive, journalist Susan Ryan-Vollmar, Larry Kessler of AIDS Action Committee, activist and community organizer Orlando Del Valle, and Mayor Denise Simmons.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by The History Project, which has done ground breaking work to ensure that the history of LGBTQIA+ Boston remains alive, and that future generations can benefit by better understanding the past,” said Dr. Mayer. “My work began at the onset of a prior pandemic, and I hope that some of the lessons of our response to AIDS can continue to inform the development of robust, community-based responses to COVID-19.”
Dr. Mayer will receive the HistoryMaker Award virtually on October 15 at 7:00 PM, and all are welcome to join. Please RSVP here and consider making a donation to support The History Project’s important work in preserving our history.
Congratulations, Dr. Mayer, on this well-deserved honor!