By Valerie Milano
(The Hollywood Times) 5/15/26 – The 14th Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast brought together more than 1,200 community leaders, activists, students, educators, allies, and advocates at the Palm Springs Convention Center for a moving and deeply inspiring morning centered on unity, hope, visibility, and action.
Presented by Greater Palm Springs Pride and the Harvey Milk Foundation, the annual event once again honored the enduring legacy of Harvey Milk while reminding attendees that the fight for equality, dignity, and human rights continues.
Hosted by Peter Daut of News Channel 3, this year’s breakfast proved especially emotional and timely, with speakers addressing the current political climate and the urgent importance of standing together across all communities.
One of the morning’s most powerful moments came during remarks by Ron DeHarte, whose speech received a standing ovation and widespread praise across social media following the event.
“We cannot afford the luxury of siloed activism,” DeHarte shared during his remarks. “An attack on a synagogue is an attack on a Pride center. A threat to Black voting rights is a threat to the safety of our Hispanic neighbors. We must be the wall that stands between the vulnerable and the vitriol.”
His words clearly resonated throughout the ballroom and beyond.
Longtime attendee Andy Linsky wrote afterward, “I’ve been attending every HMB since it started in a small meeting space at the Palm Springs Hilton. And I can say this one was the most moving, impactful, and critical one ever.”
The morning also honored two remarkable voices whose personal tragedies became catalysts for national activism and change.
Judy and Dennis Shepard received the Harvey B. Milk Legacy Award for their decades of advocacy through the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Following the horrific anti-gay murder of their son Matthew Shepard in 1998, the Shepards transformed unimaginable grief into a lifelong mission focused on education, hate crime prevention, dignity, and LGBTQ+ equality.
Brandon Wolf received the Harvey B. Milk Leadership Award for his continued advocacy against gun violence and anti-LGBTQ+ extremism. Wolf survived the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, where 49 people, including close friends, were murdered in one of the deadliest attacks against LGBTQ+ people in United States history. Over the last several years, he has become one of the movement’s most visible advocates, using his voice to confront hate and demand action.
The breakfast also spotlighted local student leaders, youth advocates, and educators working to create safer and more inclusive schools throughout the Coachella Valley. Many LGBTQ+ students attended the event, serving as a reminder that visibility, representation, and support remain life-changing for young people navigating today’s increasingly hostile political environment.
Throughout the morning, the themes were sobering, emotional, empowering, and hopeful all at once.
As shared by HRC Palm Springs • Coachella Valley Volunteer Leadership following the event: “The attacks against LGBTQ+ people are real. They are political. They are legislative. They are social. They are increasingly violent.”
Yet despite those realities, the event consistently returned to a message of resilience and collective strength.
“We organize. We advocate. We build coalitions. We protect each other,” the organization shared in a powerful post-event reflection. “And we continue the work of those we’ve loved and lost.”
Attendee Ginny Foat reflected on the emotional impact of the morning, writing, “You reminded us of all that in this current political climate we all need to pick up that activist sword again if not for us then for the future of those beautiful kids that were on that stage and in that audience.”
Michael J. Finland added, “Your speech today was delivered with strength and compassion. Your words inspired each of the attendees. You, Jasmine and the entire team put forth a sterling presentation this morning.”
Others echoed similar sentiments throughout the day. Julie Spira called the program “an inspiring and powerful speech” and “such a moving event,” while David A. Vignolo remarked that this year’s breakfast was “the best Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast” he had attended since moving to Palm Springs eight years ago.
Community members repeatedly praised the volunteers and organizers who helped produce the event. Jamie Trachtenberg described it as “a wonderfully powerful event,” while Marcie Maxwell called it a “meaningful event” and thanked the planning team for their hard work and dedication.
As a proud media partner, The Hollywood Times was honored to support and spotlight an event that continues to serve as both a celebration and a call to action. From heartfelt speeches to emotional moments of reflection and hope, the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast once again demonstrated why it remains one of the Coachella Valley’s most important annual gatherings.
In the spirit of Harvey Milk’s enduring message, “Hope will never be silent,” attendees left not only inspired, but recommitted to continuing the work long after the ballroom lights dimmed.
