Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/10/26 – The Human Rights Campaign’s Palm Springs Garden Party is celebrating 25 years with a milestone afternoon at the historic Dinah Shore Estate—and organizers have now announced the honorees and host for this year’s Silver Palm Edition.
Acclaimed photographer and philanthropist Michael Childers will receive the HRC Community Impact Award, while Marc Malkin, Variety’s Senior Culture & Events Editor, will receive the HRC Visibility Award. Award-winning broadcast journalist and KESQ’s Desert Chat host Sandie Newton will guide the program and awards presentation. Turner Classic Movies host, film expert and author Dave Karger will present Childers’ award.
The 25th HRC Palm Springs Garden Party takes place Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., during Palm Springs Pride weekend.
Under the theme “Celebrating 25 Years of Community. Stronger Together.”, the fundraiser will recognize the people and partnerships that have sustained this gathering while raising funds to advance HRC’s work for LGBTQ+ equality.
The Hollywood Times recently sat down via Zoom with Brian O’Connor, Executive Producer of the Garden Party, to discuss the anniversary, the move to the Dinah Shore Estate and what the community’s support makes possible.
WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN O’CONNOR:
Childers’ recognition celebrates both his artistic legacy and decades of philanthropy. For more than five decades, his portraits have captured artists, entertainers and cultural figures, creating a body of work with lasting historical and artistic significance.
He has also used that work to give back. Through donated photography, Childers has helped charitable organizations raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. His generosity has benefited organizations including DAP Health, the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, Palm Springs Art Museum and HRC.
With Karger presenting the Community Impact Award, the afternoon will recognize an artist whose contributions extend well beyond the photographs themselves.
Malkin’s Visibility Award honors a career that has brought LGBTQ+ stories, voices and people into mainstream entertainment coverage.
His journalism career began at Boston’s LGBTQ newspaper Bay Windows. He later worked across print and television, including Premiere, the New York Daily News, Us Weekly, New York magazine and E! News, before becoming a familiar presence at Variety and on Hollywood’s red carpets.
In 2017, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists recognized him with its Lisa Ben Award for bringing LGBTQ+ stories to light.
As a journalist myself, I appreciate the importance of that visibility. Who gets interviewed, whose experiences are shared and whose stories reach a wider audience can make a meaningful difference.
In announcing the honorees, O’Connor described Childers’ artistry and generosity alongside Malkin’s work expanding LGBTQ+ representation as fitting reflections of the Garden Party’s history and future.
Newton brings her own longstanding connection to the Coachella Valley’s nonprofit community. She created and hosted NBCares for six years before joining KESQ as host of Desert Chat.
Her reporting has highlighted local organizations, businesses and community events, including causes supporting LGBTQ+ youth and HIV/AIDS healthcare.
For this anniversary celebration, she will guide the program and awards presentation as guests gather to recognize 25 years of community support.
The Dinah Shore Estate provides a memorable backdrop for this year’s gathering.
During our interview, O’Connor explained that the Garden Party has a long tradition of being held at historically significant estates throughout Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. He credited the team managing the property with helping make this anniversary setting possible.
As someone who happens to live right down the street, I couldn’t agree more about the choice. It is a beautiful Palm Springs property, and this will be a special opportunity for ticket holders to experience it.
Guests can look forward to an afternoon of cocktails, bites, conversation and reconnecting with friends, supporters, allies, elected officials and business leaders.
O’Connor also hinted during our interview that the team was working on a few surprises. The newly announced honorees and program participants give us even more to look forward to.
For O’Connor, reaching 25 years reflects the dedication of volunteers who have kept showing up.
HRC’s local Steering Committee and Garden Party Planning Committee are volunteer led. Their work brings together supporters, builds partnerships and creates opportunities for people to participate in the broader effort for equality.
This year’s planning committee includes more than 20 community leaders, according to HRC’s announcement.
The anniversary honors that work as well as the donors, sponsors and guests who have helped sustain the event across generations.
The Garden Party is a celebration with a fundraising purpose.
Proceeds support HRC’s work for LGBTQ+ equality, including advocacy, community engagement and programs such as the HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools initiative, which helps educators create inclusive school environments.
The silent auction is another important part of the afternoon. Donated products, services and experiences help generate additional support, giving businesses and individuals a way to contribute even if they cannot attend.
Sponsorships also help cover the costs of producing the event. During our interview, O’Connor explained that the goal is to cover those expenses through sponsorship so ticket revenue can support the organization’s work.
As of our October 10 conversation with Paul Santello, the promotional focus remains on sponsorships and auction donations through October 19, followed by ticket sales leading up to the event.
The Hollywood Times is continuing its media partnership with website, email and social promotion.
Supporters can purchase tickets or co-host packages, explore sponsorship opportunities, donate to the silent auction or make a financial contribution. Information is available at HRC.org/PSGardenParty.
Those interested in volunteering with the local Steering Committee, Garden Party Planning Committee or other initiatives can contact HRCPalmSpringsCV@gmail.com.
I have supported HRC for many years and am a proud Federal Club Council member, so this partnership is personally meaningful to me as well as to The Hollywood Times.
Our interview with Brian was a reminder that the Garden Party’s significance reaches beyond one afternoon. It represents years of people contributing their time, resources and voices to a shared goal.
On November 7, the history and beauty of the Dinah Shore Estate will frame a celebration of that commitment, with Michael Childers and Marc Malkin being honored for the distinct ways they have helped strengthen and amplify our community.
Event: 25th HRC Palm Springs Garden Party — Silver Palm Edition
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Location: Dinah Shore Estate, Palm Springs
Honorees: Michael Childers – HRC Community Impact Award; Marc Malkin – HRC Visibility Award
Program host: Sandie Newton
Childers’ award presenter: Dave Karger
Tickets, co-host packages, sponsorships and auction donations: HRC.org/PSGardenParty
By Valerie Milano
The Hollywood Times
