PALM SPRINGS, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/2/26 – For 25 years, the Human Rights Campaign’s Palm Springs Garden Party has brought together LGBTQ+ people, allies, elected officials, business leaders, volunteers and friends in support of equality. This year, the beloved gathering marks a major milestone with its 25th Anniversary “Silver Palm Edition,” taking place Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in Palm Springs.
The Hollywood Times recently sat down via Zoom with Brian O’Connor, Executive Producer of the HRC Palm Springs Garden Party, to talk about the anniversary, the event’s move to the iconic Dinah Shore Estate, what guests can expect and, most importantly, what their support makes possible.
O’Connor made it clear from the start that reaching 25 years is about much more than throwing a great party. “Twenty-five years of anything is quite a testament of the community coming together,” O’Connor told The Hollywood Times. “We are so excited about the opportunity to celebrate this milestone, even in the face of a lot of opposition, a lot of challenges.”
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That sense of strength and community is at the heart of this year’s theme. “As part of that Silver Palm Edition theme, we are celebrating 25 years of the community coming together stronger together,” he said. “O’Connor was quick to credit the volunteers who have sustained the Garden Party over the years.
“It was driven by a small army and a community and a village, as we sometimes say, of volunteer leaders,” he explained, noting that HRC’s Coachella Valley steering committee and the Garden Party planning committee are made up of volunteers.
For O’Connor, their success demonstrates what can happen when people unite behind a common purpose. “When a group of committed people, people who are committed to action, and people who are most importantly committed to equal rights, when they come together, extraordinary things can happen.”
Dinah Shore Estate
A silver anniversary deserves a memorable setting, and this year’s celebration will be held at the historic Dinah Shore Estate in Palm Springs.
O’Connor said HRC has been fortunate to develop strong relationships and partnerships throughout the Coachella Valley, including with the team managing the estate.
“They are incredibly collaborative, very generous,” he said, explaining that the anniversary created the perfect opportunity to bring the Garden Party to the property.
The choice also continues a Garden Party tradition. “For 25 years, we’ve held this fundraiser at iconic and historically significant estates all over Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, so I can’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate our Silver Palm Edition than at the Dinah Shore Estate.”
And as someone who happens to live right down the street, I couldn’t agree more. It is a beautiful Palm Springs property, and this will be a special opportunity for ticket holders to experience it.
For someone attending the HRC Garden Party for the first time, O’Connor described an afternoon that is as much about reconnecting with one another as it is about fundraising.
“Our Garden Party is just a fantastic gathering of like-minded individuals,” he said. While HRC’s mission focuses on the LGBTQ+ community, O’Connor emphasized that advocates, allies, elected officials and members of the business community are all part of the afternoon.
Guests can expect a beautiful estate setting, cocktails, bites and plenty of time to socialize.
O’Connor called it an opportunity to reconnect with people they may not see throughout the year and to “ignite that sense of community that aligns us on our mission for equality.”
And this year’s team is planning a few surprises.
“We’re working on a few surprises. I’m not quite ready to give them away,” O’Connor teased.
The goal, he said, is to continue elevating the guest experience with “wonderful bites and nibbles and nosh and cocktails,” along with a brief program reminding attendees why they have gathered and what HRC’s mission is all about.
As much fun as the afternoon promises to be, the Garden Party is ultimately a fundraiser.
O’Connor explained that proceeds go directly toward HRC’s work, which ranges from supporting fair-minded political candidates to advocating for healthcare access, social services and equal treatment.
His description of that mission was particularly simple and powerful: “We’re not asking for more rights. We’re not asking for different rights. We’re just asking for equal rights.”
HRC’s national fundraising events provide critical support for the organization’s work toward LGBTQ+ equality.
O’Connor also highlighted the HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools program, which works with educators to help foster welcoming and inclusive classroom environments. He noted that the program has also been active in the Coachella Valley.
One of the Garden Party’s major fundraising components is its silent auction.
O’Connor said considerable effort goes into curating an auction filled with products, services and experiences donated by supporters, advocates and allies.
“Our silent auction really helps us raise additional significant funds,” he said. “That’s only possible because so many friends, supporters, advocates and allies donate their products and their services.”
So, yes, they are looking for some great auction items!
Businesses and individuals who have a product, service, travel experience, dining opportunity, entertainment package or something else special to offer can participate by donating.
Sponsorship is another critical part of the fundraising equation.
O’Connor explained that one of HRC’s goals is to have sponsors cover the expenses associated with producing and presenting the event.
Why does that matter?
Because when production costs are covered by sponsors, HRC hopes to be able to tell guests that 100% of their ticket purchase is going to the work of the organization.
That is a pretty compelling reason to become a sponsor.
Whether you are attending the Garden Party or will be somewhere else in the world that weekend, there are several ways to support the event: purchase tickets or a co-host package, become a sponsor, donate an item or service to the silent auction, or make a direct financial contribution. Volunteer opportunities are also available.
O’Connor said all of the information can be found on the event website, including ticket packages offering additional recognition, sponsorship details, auction donation information and general donations.
As he told me during our interview, even people who can’t attend can still be part of the effort.
I have supported HRC for many years and am a proud Federal Club Council member, so this is a partnership that is personally meaningful to me as well as to The Hollywood Times.
At the end of our interview, Brian offered a sentiment that we were very happy to hear: “Thank you, Valerie, for your ongoing and many, many years of support, and we love our partnership with The Hollywood Times.”
The feeling is certainly mutual.
Twenty-five years of the Palm Springs Garden Party represents 25 years of volunteers showing up, supporters giving back and a community gathering together around a simple idea: equal rights.
On November 7, the palms, history and glamour of the Dinah Shore Estate will provide the backdrop as HRC celebrates how far that community has come — while continuing the work still ahead.
Event: HRC Palm Springs Garden Party – 25th Anniversary Silver Palm Edition
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Palm Springs, California – Dinah Shore Estate
Tickets, sponsorships and donations: HRC Palm Springs Garden Party
