The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Committee announces that California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will be honored with the Harvey B. Milk Leadership Award at the 11th Annual Coachella Valley Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 8:30 AM at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast is a program of the Palm Springs Pride organization.
The breakfast honors the memory of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, and his legacy of groundbreaking inspiration in the struggle to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality. The event is designed to strengthen coalitions among the many diverse community organizations that work toward equality in the Coachella Valley.
Ricardo Lara, California’s 8th Insurance Commissioner will be recognized with the Harvey B. Milk Leadership Award at the Palm Springs Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on May 11.
Raised in East Los Angeles by immigrant parents, Commissioner Ricardo Lara made history in 2018 by becoming the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in California’s history. Commissioner Lara previously served in the California Legislature, representing Assembly District 50 from 2010 to 2012 and Senate District 33 from 2012 to 2018.
Commissioner Lara earned a BA in Journalism and Spanish with a minor in Chicano Studies from San Diego State University.
Commissioner Lara will be recognized as the Palm Springs community gathers to celebrate Harvey Milk's Legacy. Bestowing this award is a way to celebrate his life and the impact he had on the world.
About Harvey Milk
When he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, Harvey Milk (1930- 1978) became one of the first openly gay men to be elected to political office in the U.S. On election night, Harvey Milk reminded supporters: “This is not my victory – it’s yours. If a gay man can win, it proves that there is hope for all minorities who are willing to fight.”
He was assassinated (along with Mayor George Moscone) on November 27, 1978, only eleven months after taking office.
Although he did not live to see his dreams fulfilled, the example of his life and leadership has made him an important national symbol for the struggle for human rights. To learn more about this fearless civil rights leader www.harveymilk.com.
The event is ASL Interpreted, and is fully accessible to all persons with any mobility impairments.
Tickets and sponsorships are available online www.HarveyMilk.us or you can save the processing fee and get your tickets by mail: https://bit.ly/Milktix.
Tickets include an 8:30 AM coffee welcome and breakfast and a program from 9:30 -11:00 AM. Co-sponsor tables of ten are available at $750.00. Tables of ten may be donated for students for $650.00. Individual tickets are available for $75.00. Info at www.harveymilk.us.
Proceeds benefit Coachella Valley youth through Gay-Straight Alliance clubs and LGBTQ+ youth-related programs.
This event would not be possible without our incredible sponsors and generous supporters, which include:
Lead Sponsor
Eisenhower Health
Gold Sponsor
Grace Helen Spearman Foundation
Silver Sponsors
Barton CPA
CCBC Resort
Center for Spiritual Living
Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine
DAP Health
Desert Care Network
Bronze Sponsors
Blackbook
Boyd & Lisette Haigler
Canyon Pacific Insurance
Capstone Partners Financial & Insurance Services
City of Cathedral City
City of Coachella
Democrats of the Desert
Desert Oasis Healthcare
Foundation for the Palm Springs Unified School District
Greater Palm Springs Pride
Gregory-Ornelas Family Living Trust
Pacaso
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
SoCalGas
The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert
Transgender Health & Wellness Center
Student Team Sponsors
Andy Linsky
Boyd & Lisette Haigler (2)
Compass Rose Financial Planning (2)
Nicholas Singleton (2)
Tori St. Johns (2)
City of Cathedral City
Desert Business Association
Desert Oasis Healthcare
Desert Theatricals Foundation
Dr. Frank Figueroa
Eight 4 Nine
Gay Desert Guide / KGAY 103.1 FM
Grace Helen Spearman Foundation
Grit Development
Human Rights Campaign
International Bear Convergence
Pacaso
Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus
Robert Farran
Street Bar
The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert
The Standard Magazine
A complete list of sponsors is available at www.PSPride.org.