B. Scott Named a 2026 Pride Month Honoree by the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

Earlier this week, legendary multimedia personality and activist B. Scott was honored by the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus during its Pride Month 2026 celebration.

In response to the honor, B. Scott shared an Instagram statement expressing gratitude and framing the recognition as part of an ongoing “relay” of progress for the LGBTQ+ community. “We stand on the shoulders of those who ran before us, and we pass the baton forward to those who will run after,” B. Scott said.

They continued the speech by acknowledging the 14 other honorees, saying, “That truth feels especially profound today,” as the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus marked Pride Month 2026 with 15 honorees, “each of us a thread in a larger tapestry woven across every corner of this state.”

B. Scott also reflected on the inclusion of a posthumous honoree, noting that the recognition “stretches across generations,” including those “we never got to thank” and those “we carry in our hearts.” Scott said the honor belonged to “every elder who fought, every youth who dreams, and every person in between who refuses to stay invisible.”

They added that visibility is only the beginning, emphasizing the need to “create pathways, opportunities, and spaces” where people can thrive. Looking ahead, B. Scott said they remain committed to community investment, mentorship, and developing future leaders, stressing that the responsibility of recognition is ensuring “the doors opened for us remain open for those who come next.” They concluded by thanking supporters and saying, “I promise to pass it on.”

 

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Rick Chavez Zbur, Democratic Caucus Chair of the California Assembly, also celebrated B. Scott’s recognition in an Instagram post.

“I’m proud to recognize @bscott as my 2026 Pride Month Honoree,” Zbur wrote. He praised Scott as a “trailblazing media entrepreneur,” the founder of lovebscott, and creator of the Happy To Have You Initiative, crediting them with “breaking barriers, uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices, and building community.”

Zbur added that Scott’s work has “expanded representation, opened doors for future generations, and reminded countless people that they belong exactly as they are,” before concluding, “Congratulations, B. Scott, and thank you for all you do.”

In addition to honoring B. Scott, the organization recognized a distinguished group of leaders, advocates, educators, artists, and entrepreneurs for their contributions to their communities.

Honorees include:

• Paramount High School counselor Ariana Bates;
• Christopher Verdugo, CEO of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and the Chan National Queer Arts Center;
• Dr. Amie Carter, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools;
• Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins, author, producer, and educator;
• Elizabeth Padilla of ICON CDC;
• Chicano creators and LGBTQ+ advocates J. Trinidad Garcia and Adam Vasquez Garcia;
• Kealie Mardell-Carrera, board president of the Underdog Bookstore;
• La Mesa Vice Mayor Lauren Cazares;
• Legendary drag performer Lázaro M. Concepción, known as “Lola Veronica”;
• entrepreneur and Matteo Parfums founder Matthew J. Sánchez;
• retired U.S. Army Major Veronica Zerrer of the California Veterans Board;
• Santa Cruz County Supervisor Monica Martinez;
• and TJ Bruce, owner and CEO of Splash Bar, Inc. and Western Pacific Depot.

Who is B Scott?

Scott was born in Franklin, Virginia, and raised in Hertford County, North Carolina, by parents of African-American, Irish, Jewish, and Meherrin ancestry.

As a teenager, they excelled academically and were selected to attend the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), a two-year public residential high school for high-achieving students in math and science. After graduating from NCSSM in 1999, they enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where they came out as gay during their sophomore year.

After earning a B.A. in Psychology in 2002, Scott moved to Washington, D.C., where they briefly worked as a licensed realtor before relocating to Los Angeles in 2005.

Two years later, Scott would launch LoveBScott.com , an entertainment website covering celebrity news, fashion, music, nightlife, and pop culture with a positive perspective. In 2007, they expanded the platform by creating YouTube videos featuring celebrity commentary, interviews, performances, and personal messages to connect with audiences.

By integrating YouTube with their website, Scott carved out a unique space in digital entertainment that was largely untapped at the time.

That success eventually led to The B. Scott Show, a talk show featuring interviews with celebrities and prominent LGBTQ+ figures, which aired on both YouTube and lovebscott.com.

Over the course of their career, Scott has received numerous accolades, including being named to The Advocate’s 40 Under 40 list in 2014, which recognizes influential LGBTQ+ leaders under 40, and being honored in OUT magazine’s prestigious OUT100 list in 2016, celebrating the year’s most influential LGBTQ+ changemakers.

B Scott being given tens shouldn’t be called into question by anybody. About a decade before it became commonplace to champion queer creatives in predominantly cisgender media spaces, B. Scott was already on the frontlines, challenging BET and demanding respect, accountability, and visibility for queer creatives.

Back in June 2013, Scott was enlisted to host the fashion portion at the BET Awards: 106 & Park Pre-Show. B. Scott was slated to conduct at least 12 one-on-one interviews, but their assignment was abruptly cut short after  just one interview and B. Scott was pulled from the stage in the middle of the second.

After being pulled off air, Scott alleged the network told them to pull back her hair, remove her makeup, change her clothes, and stop wearing heels, even though their outfit had been pre-approved.

Although B. Scott agreed to change into men’s clothing, Scott was never allowed back on air and was replaced by Adrienne Bailon.

In a statement, BET described the incident as “a series of unfortunate miscommunications from both parties.” The network said it values diversity and inclusion and expressed regret for any unintentional offense caused to B. Scott and the LGBTQ+ community.

B. Scott dismissed BET’s statement as a non-apology. The following month, B. Scott filed a $2.5 million discrimination lawsuit against BET and its parent company, Viacom, alleging discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

In April 2014, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled in BET’s favor, finding that the network’s decisions regarding on-air talent and wardrobe were protected under the First Amendment. The ruling dismissed Scott’s discrimination claims, ending the lawsuit in BET’s favor.

Months later, in January 2014, TMZ published internal BET emails that appeared to support Scott’s claims. According to the leaked emails, executives discussed preventing Scott from appearing “too feminine” on air, with then-Vice President Rhonda Cowen suggesting Scott be “less ‘womanly.'” Another executive, Monica Ware, reportedly advised against publicly disclosing the reason behind the wardrobe change. The Huffington Post later confirmed the authenticity of the emails.

In February 2015, Scott appealed the case and ultimately settled her lawsuit with the network for an undisclosed amount.

Despite their past legal dispute, Scott and BET have since established a positive working relationship. In March 2021, the network announced that Scott would host and executive produce Twenties: The After Show, making history as BET’s first trans non-binary host and executive producer. Reflecting on the opportunity, Scott said they were “honored to help turn the page on the past” and be part of the network’s move toward “a more inclusive future for everyone.”