By Teri Kinne
Photos by THT
Valerie Milano, Spirit of Stonewall Arts & Culture Award Honoree
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11/19/25 – The 2025 Palm Springs Pride Honors Awards once again illuminated the extraordinary strength, visibility, and compassion of our LGBTQ+ community.
We at The Hollywood Times were proud to see our Publisher and Editor, Valerie Milano, recognized with the Spirit of Stonewall Arts and Culture Award. The weekend’s events, the honorees, and the sense of unity that carried through each gathering made the celebration especially meaningful.
The Pride Honors Awards ceremony opened the pride season in October. Although Milano was unable to attend the main ceremony in person, she shared her gratitude in a written acceptance. “As someone who has spent decades using journalism to elevate LGBTQ+ stories, culture, and visibility, it was deeply humbling to be named among this year’s honorees, even if I could not be there to accept in person. The acknowledgment means more than words can express.”
The 2025 Honors Awards reception, hosted at the beautiful Hyatt Palm Springs, brought together leaders, activists, artists, and longtime allies who have poured their hearts into shaping LGBTQ+ life in the Coachella Valley and beyond. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was electric, a celebratory blend of pride, gratitude, and determination. Guests experienced warmth, excitement, and the shared spirit of community.
Palm Springs Pride President & CEO Ron deHarte opened the evening with a powerful reminder of why these recognitions matter so deeply in today’s political climate: “In today’s political climate… the act of publicly recognizing community members is more vital than ever.” His words set the tone for the night: honoring those who stand tall for equality while reaffirming that our community will not be silenced or erased.
Executive Director Jasmine Sullivan-Waits echoed this sentiment, calling these celebrations acts of resistance that affirm dignity and inspire the next generation of advocates.
This year’s honorees represented an extraordinary cross-section of leadership:
Honey Davenport – Spirit of Stonewall Business of Pride Award
Rev. Jane Voigts – Spirit of Stonewall Friend of Pride Award
Loren Ostrow – Spirit of Pride Award
Valerie Milano – Spirit of Stonewall Arts & Culture Award
Courageous Resistance Indivisible of the Desert – Spirit of Stonewall Organization of the Year
Ben & Bob Kincaid – Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award
Before Sunday’s Pride Parade, honorees and community supporters gathered for a warm, joyful breakfast at Desert Regional Hospital, who also donated the food and libations. It created a rare moment of connection before the event-filled day ahead. The award recipients, shared stories, and expressed the collective pride of what our community continues to build together.
Many shared reflections about the work still ahead, from protecting transgender youth to preserving voter rights, and it was a reminder that our activism and creativity thrive not just on parade routes or stages, but also across breakfast tables and at the open bar outdoors, the area was filled with love and purpose.
On Sunday morning, Palm Springs transformed into a sea of color, joy, and unapologetic visibility for the 2025 Palm Springs Pride Parade. As the floats rolled down Palm Canyon Drive and thousands lined the streets, it was clear that this weekend was more than a celebration; it was a declaration:
This year’s theme, “Be Heard,” resonated deeply, especially given the current challenges facing LGBTQ+ rights nationwide. With more than 200 parade entries, six Grand Marshals, and an overwhelming show of ally support, the parade showcased the very heart of Pride: resilience, unity, and community love.
Though Milano could not attend the October awards ceremony, she took part in the full schedule of November 6 through 9 Palm Springs Pride events as an awards honoree. She was present throughout the festivities and even rode in an honoree car during Sunday’s parade. She shared, “The 2025 Palm Springs Pride Honors Awards remind us that every story, every act of service, every piece of art, and every voice matters. I am honored beyond measure to be part of this chapter in our shared history.”
She expressed her gratitude to:
- The Palm Springs Pride Board
• Ron deHarte and Jasmine Sullivan-Waits
• Co-chairs of the weekend’s celebrations: Coachella Valley Firebirds, One Valley Foundation, Hilton Palm Springs, and Desert Care Network
• The extraordinary honorees whose work inspires her daily
• The community she is proud to serve through The Hollywood Times and her advocacy
She also offered thanks to many others, including her jewelry designer, Debbie Slavkin of Made by Mimi Designs. Read our article, see the designer’s work, and enjoy our interview with her here:
Made by Mimi Designs: Turning Healing Into Handmade Beauty – Hollywood Times
