Gay DJ and radio host ‘Special K’ lends talents to LGBTQ causes.
What’s so special about Kevin “Special K” England? Pretty much everything. KRBE 104.1 FM listeners love his personality and his on-air prank phone calls, and the LGBTQ community loves the way he gives back. And we assume his boyfriend of 16 years, Brian, appreciates his humor and his boyish good looks. England has been wowing his fans on the air in Houston since the late ’90s, and before then he was known throughout the gay clubs for his DJ skills.
“I still like to spin once in a while,” says England, who occasionally DJs on weekends. “But it wasn’t really stable work. I wanted to stay in music somehow, and I’d met some radio people who told me to go for it. KRBE liked me, and now I get to play music live for millions of people every day. And I get to be gay on the air!
“I think I’m about the only [openly gay host] on the radio,” he adds. “It’s frustrating to see those who still aren’t out.” His station encourages him to be out and proud, and he thinks it’s the best job anyone could have.
Originally from Delaware, England once worked as a Merchant Marine. Now, he loves to play music that makes people want to get up and dance. As a regular on KRBE’s Roula & Ryan morning show (the duo that gave him his Special K moniker), he plays retro music, and on Fridays he does prank calls. You can email him at [email protected] and request that he prank your friends (or frenemies). The results are often hilarious.
On the serious side, Special K frequently volunteers his time and talents in the LGBTQ community and beyond. He’s hosted the AIDS Walk, works with the Human Rights Campaign, frequently helps out at local animal shelters, and is working on an April Red Dinner gala that will raise funds to help LGBTQ youth to stay in college. “It can be very difficult for LGBT youth to get an education when they don’t have the support of their families, so this is really important.
“Volunteering is my church,” he adds. “It’s just as fulfilling as sitting in a building listening to a sermon. If you can give back in your free time, you should.”
Funny, fabulous, and a real hero in the community, England is a repeat winner in this category. —Marene Gustin
Best Female LGBTQ Business Person
Tammi Wallace
Finalists: Sandy Bubbert, Caryn Craig, Kathy Hubbard, Julie Mabry, Cristina Martinez
Best Male LGBTQ Business Person
Mark DeLange
Finalists: Charles Armstrong, Bruce Smith, DDS, Grey Stephens, Gary Wood
Favorite Female (Commercial) Radio Personality
Sarah Pepper, Mix 96.5
Finalists: Roula Christie, 104 KRBE; Lauren Kelly, Mix 96.5;
Erica Rico, 93Q
Favorite Male (Commercial) Radio Personality
Special K, 104 KRBE
Finalists: Al Farb, 93Q
Favorite Female (Community) Radio Personality
Judy Reeves
Favorite Male (Community) Radio Personality
JD Doyle
Finalists: Chris Arasin, Bryan Hlavinka, Jack Valinski
Favorite Female Community Hero
Annise Parker
Finalists: Melanie Pang, Monica Roberts, Fran Watson, Carol Wyatt-Woodell
Favorite Male Community Hero
Ray Hill
Finalists: Blake Ellis, Dalton DeHart, Ryan Leach, Lou Weaver, Ashton P. Woods
Favorite Female Community Photographer
Yvonne Feece
Finalists: Gianna Marie Novarro, Judy Woods
Favorite Male Community Photographer
Dalton DeHart
Finalists: John Cox, Eric Edward Schell, Steven Tilotta
Favorite Female Local Politician
Ellen Cohen (tie)
Kim Ogg (tie)
Finalists:: Sylvia Garcia, Annise Parker
Favorite Male Local Politician
Sylvester Turner
Finalists: Garnet Coleman, Robert Gallegos, Steven Kirkland, Mike Laster
Favorite Female TV Personality
Dominique Sachse
Finalists: Carmen Maria Montiel Avila, Ellen Degeneres, Deborah Duncan, Stephanie Gerry
Favorite (Community) TV Personality
Ernie Manouse
Favorite Male TV Personality
Frank Billingsley
Finalists: Andy Cerota, Ryan Korsgard, Derrick Shore
Favorite Local LGBTQ Blogger/Vlogger
AJ Mistretta
Finalists: Joey Guerra, Monica Roberts, Travis Webb, Ashton P. Woods
Favorite LGBTQ Teacher/Educator
Charles Swan
Finalists: Blake Ellis, Bryant Johnson-Wood, Dr. Colt Keo-Meier, Brian Riedel
Favorite LGBTQ Tweeter
Joey Guerra
Finalists: Shelby Jeffcoat-del Busto, Brad Pritchett, Fran Watson
Favorite National Blogger/Vlogger
Rich Lux
Finalists: Perez Hilton, Joe Jervis, Randy Rainbow
Leading Entertainer
Lady Shamu
Finalists: Ivan Cupcake, Angela Mercy, Violet S’Arbleu
Leading Female Fundraiser
Carol Wyatt-Woodell (tie)
Sallie Wyatt-Woodell (tie)
Finalists: Cristina Martinez, Margarita Perez, Ana Sanchez
Leading Male Fundraiser
Gary Wood
Finalists: Don Gill, David Goldberg, Kennedy Loftin, Tanner Williams
Most Prominent Female LGBTQ Activist
Fran Watson
Finalists: Januari Leo, Melanie Pang, Monica Roberts
Most Prominent Male LGBTQ Activist
Lou Weaver
Finalists: Blake Ellis, Ryan Leach, Brad Pritchett,
Ashton P. Woods
Most Supportive Local Business of the LGBTQ Community
Hamburger Mary’s
Finalists: Crocker Bar, Guava Lamp, Jenni’s Noodle House, Neon Boots, Pearl Bar, Silver Eagle Distributors
Most Supportive National Business of the LGBTQ Community
Target (tie)
Wells Fargo (tie)
Finalists: Apple, Bud Light, Macy’s, Southwest Airlines
Most Valuable Female Volunteer
Fran Watson
Finalists: Sarah Tompkins Gutierrez, Kim Townsend, Melissa Vivianco, Tammi Wallace
Most Valuable Male Volunteer
Jack Berger
Finalists: Jacques Bourgeois, Brad Pritchett, Lou Weaver, Tanner Williams, Gary Wood
