By Teri Kinne
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11/3/25 – Valerie Milano, Publisher, Senior Editor, and Entertainment Critic at The Hollywood Times, has been chosen as to receive the distinguished Pride Honors Award for her decades of service to journalism, entertainment, and the LGBTQ+ community. The honor, in the category of Arts and Culture not only shines a spotlight on Milano’s storied career but also celebrates her role as a cultural bridge-builder, bringing together Hollywood, Palm Springs, and global voices in meaningful conversation.
With a career spanning several decades, Milano has established herself as one of the most respected voices in entertainment journalism. As the driving force behind The Hollywood Times, she has covered some of the Coachella Valley’s most celebrated events, including Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival and ShortFest, The Dinah, DAP Health’s The Chase, the Palm Springs Equality Wine Festival, Coachella Music & Arts Festival, Desert Legends and many others.
Her insightful reporting balances critical depth with cultural context, making her coverage essential reading for those who want more than surface-level celebrity news. Milano’s bylines have also appeared in national and international publications such as Discover Hollywood, Television International, Hollywood Today, Video Age International (NYC), and Communications Daily (Washington, D.C.).
Milano’s professional leadership extended into her years of service with the Television Critics Association (TCA), where she held roles as reporter, board member and Tour Coordinator. In guiding the TCA’s influential Pasadena and Beverly Hills press tours, she helped shape the very forums that connected television’s creative leaders with the journalists who bring stories to the public.
Beyond her editorial work, Milano has consistently championed causes close to her heart. She is a proud advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, working with organizations such as: Friends of GLAAD, GLSEN, Outfest, Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), The Center of the Desert, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), where she serves as a Federal Club Council Member. Her co-production of Her HRC events in Palm Springs, including two hosted in her own home, exemplifies her commitment to community, visibility, and progress.
Milano shares her depth of experience and platform by mentoring emerging writers and championing diverse voices. Committed to inclusivity, she seeks input from and uplifts the stories of people of all abilities, neurodiverse creators, and writers from marginalized communities.
Deeply rooted in Palm Springs civic life, Milano is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, a supporter of the Palm Springs Cultural Center and Palm Springs Art Museum, and a Partners for Life member of DAP Health. Her nearly four decades of residency in Palm Springs underscores her lasting ties to the community she serves.
The upcoming award marks a significant milestone for Milano, not just as recognition of her professional accomplishments but as an acknowledgment of her mission: to amplify diverse voices, foster inclusive storytelling, and keep community at the heart of culture and entertainment.
“Valerie’s work is a reminder that journalism can be both artful and impactful,” said Cynthia Hudson, publisher of Aspiring Magazine. “She has always stood for integrity, inclusivity, and the belief that stories, when told with heart, can shape the world around us.”
As Valerie Milano steps into this next chapter of recognition, her enduring influence continues to inspire. Through The Hollywood Times, her community advocacy, and her unwavering commitment to equality, she will continue to not only document entertainment and history but help shape it for new generations.
(She has also won the United Nations Humanitarian Award.)
