Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast draws 1,000, honors struggle for LGBTQ equality

Close to 1,000 guests, including 275 wide-eyed, enthusiastic students, came together for the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on May 9 at the Palm Springs Convention Center to honor Milk's legacy and his struggle to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.

The event also served to strengthen the partnerships of area organizations with that same goal. Stuart Milk, co-founder and executive chair of the Harvey Milk Foundation, was presented with the Global Activist Award. News anchor Peter Daut, black and LGBTQ historian/author Zaylore Stout, songstress Keisha D, DJ Galaxy, community advocate Scott Nevins and entertainer Matthew Hocutt all played a role in creating this transformative celebration.

Ron deHarte, Breakfast Coalition founder and president of Greater Palm Springs Pride, said: "Here, we're uniting supporters of equality and justice. It was Harvey's courageous work to end discrimination in the '70s that set the stage for many of the civil rights advances of today."

The event also shines a light on local youth. Students participate by writing essays about Harvey Milk. Others are invited to speak.

"They feel empowered, mingling with city officials, educators, law enforcement, media and local businesses in an affirming environment," deHarte said. "Everyone feels the impact of our next generation of leaders."

Safe Schools Desert Cities works with Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) at more than 20 middle and high schools. They handle the logistics of getting the students to the breakfast.

"With so many youths in attendance, the LGBTQ adults can't help but be moved," said Safe Schools President Eric Ornelas. "Most were in grade school long before anything like this existed. They had no one to turn to for advice, no 'out' role models to look up to. Now, they're seeing the progress firsthand.

"These students, with their bravery and intelligence, give me so much hope for our future."

Honoree Stuart Milk is an LGBTQ rights advocate who's worked with struggling and emerging LGBTQ communities in more than 60 countries. He's also the nephew of the late Harvey Milk.

In a conversation prior to the breakfast, Stuart spoke about the need for unity. "Minority groups are the enemy of communities that want to take away our rights and separate us. We're always subject to the majority's tyranny," he said. "As my uncle emphatically stated, 'You may not be on their shopping list today, but you'll definitely be on their shopping list.' That's why it's critical that we understand each other's struggles and ask, 'How can we provide support within the LGBTQ community?'"

Stuart also provided a global perspective. "We have countries that are going backwards, re-criminalizing homosexuality and enforcing draconian laws. Most people still live in places where it's illegal or socially unacceptable to be LGBTQ. And our own LGBTQ youth in this country are five times more likely to be homeless. So, the battle never ends."

At the breakfast, Monika Ujkic from Shadow Hills High School in Indio was honored as this year's Outstanding GSA Advisor. Ujkic thinks it's important for schools to have a visible GSAs, so "students know they have a place to go and people that provide support." As an advisor for 11 years, Ujkic has helped plan events like Club Rush, National Coming Out Day and the Safe Schools' prom.

"We did a clothing drive for The Center's queer and trans closet and provided 'pride gear' to our students, like bracelets, flags and shirts." About the breakfast, Ujkic said: "We're here every year. Students love seeing the LGBTQ flags and look forward to going on stage. And they really love the great food."

One of more than 50 corporate sponsors, the Coachella Valley Firebirds were honored to support the breakfast. A Firebirds pillar is maximizing the community's access to hockey, and that includes the LGBTQ community.

"The Firebirds had an amazing time at Pride last year, with our 'Hockey is for Everyone' float. We'll be back!" said Andrew Mason, senior director of community relations. "We've donated funds from worn player jerseys to support our LGBTQ youth and will continue that program. This amazing community has welcomed our team with open arms."

Ruth Hill, vice president of finance, said: "Being at the breakfast was a privilege. We all felt emboldened. Milk's heartfelt retelling of his uncle's vision touched me deeply, as did the words of students who were awarded scholarships."

Reflecting on the breakfast, Stuart said: "Occasions like this still play a vital role. My Uncle Harvey believed in the power of visibility and how staying out of sight keeps us from succeeding. Even in places like Palm Springs and at events like this, someone will witness the community support and say, 'maybe it's time I come out.' And that's why we need to keep celebrating our diversity … without exception."

Also recognized at the Breakfast were Frank Figueroa, Ed.D., who received the Leadership Award. He serves as the first openly gay city councilmember in the city of Coachella.\

Fernanda Telles-Quintero from Coachella Valley High School received the Outstanding Youth Scholarship. She will pursue a career in film production.

Edwardo Gallardo received the Burton/May Scholarship Award. Jessica Collins received the Burton/May Pride Award.

For more information about the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, visit pspride.org. To learn more about the Harvey Milk Foundation, go to milkfoundation.org.

Sergio Garcia enjoys writing about the good people that do great things in our community. Reach him at sergio071364@aol.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast honors struggle for LGBTQ equality