Pamuela Halliwell
Julia Legaspi Leadership Award: This award recognizes trans advocates, activists, and leaders who advance justice, liberation, belonging, and joy for trans, non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming communities. This award is in honor of the legacy of Julia “Jhigs” Legaspi.
Pamuela Halliwell
Pamuela Halliwell (She/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Director of Behavioral Health Services at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, where she leads affirming care for LGBTQIA+ individuals most impacted by systemic inequity. A Black transgender woman and advocate, her work centers the belief that mental health and social justice are deeply interconnected. For more than a decade, Pamuela has advanced equity across behavioral health, housing, and healthcare systems through clinical leadership, policy advocacy, and community organizing. She has served as President of the San Diego Black LGBTQ Coalition and contributes to initiatives including Project RADIANT, the Sheriff’s LGBTQ Advisory Council, and the Transgender Community Advisory Board. Pamuela is also a published researcher and author of the Grieving Still series, exploring grief, violence, resilience, and collective healing. Through her leadership and advocacy, she continues to push for culturally responsive systems that allow LGBTQ+ communities not only to survive, but to thrive.
Pamuela will be honored at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally on Friday, July 17, 2026. Learn more about the rally and the other awardees here.