Diversity Rules Magazine

20| Diversity Rules Magazine |Mar 2023 Honorees - Con't from page 15 Stonewall Library, Tuesday's Angels, and Sanctuary House. Last year, the Bears of South Florida joined forces with the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida to hold an annual Teddy Bear drive with a record-break- ing 1009 Teddy Bears donated to Broward Health. SFGN has honored the Bears of South Florida as the "Best Social Group" for six years running. "It is a privilege for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Ca- sino Hollywood to present, produce and celebrate Di- versity Honors," said Susan Renneisen, vice president of community affairs and special events for Semi- nole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. "We are humbled by the growing support for this ini a ve, a sold-out event every year, that fosters tolerance, ac- ceptance and leadership for change to ensure equal- ity, inclusiveness and a higher quality of life for LGBT+ communi es across the globe." The event is a collabora ve effort that will con nue to keep South Florida on the interna onal stage of LGBT+ rights and ac vism in honor of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States who was assassinated shortly a er win- ning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and has since gone on to become an icon and beacon of light for the global LGBTQ+ community. This year marks the 45th anniversary of Harvey Milk's historic elec on. Over the years, Diversity Honors has paid tribute to an impressive roster of honorees including TV personal- ity, poli cal blogger and best-selling author Meghan McCain, civil rights ac vist Dolores Huerta, president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Founda on and co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America with Cesar Chavez, Judy and Dennis Shepard, Bolly- wood star Celina Jaitly, the Marjory Stoneman Doug- las High School Gay-Straight Alliance, transgender YouTube viral inspira on Ryland Whi ngton, trans- gender teen ac vist Jazz Jennings, singer/actress Deborah Cox, Judge Rand Hoch, Phill Wilson, founder of the Black AIDS Ins tute, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Leh nen, Congressman Ted Deutch, and Mayor Dean Trantalis, among others. Diversity Honors is exclusively hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, with Pla num Sponsor DMK – Danne Montague-King, Diamond Sponsors Stoli Vodka, Interna onal Court System, and Seminole Coconut Creek Casino, and suppor ng sponsors GPR | Goodman Public Rela ons and Lud- wig Framemakers. Tickets are $250 per person for the cocktail chic event which includes an open bar, poolside dining and live entertainment. To reserve ckets, please visit www. DiversityHonors.org. About The Harvey Milk Founda on The Harvey Milk Founda on has worked on the ground in over 60 na ons with local LGBTQ organi- za ons, community-based programs, diplomats, and government representa ves to support emerging and struggling communi es in some of the most chal- lenging and difficult human rights environments in the globe. In a single decade, the Milk Founda on has become the premier global LGBTQ rights NGO working alongside local, regional, state, and na onal organiz- ers to create a world that is free from discrimina on and where equality and the celebra on of diversity re- places the hate and violence that has been histori- cally systemic for our LGBTQ community. Using the inspiring life story of Harvey Milk and his belief that broad public educa on and dialogue was paramount to civil rights advancement, the Milk Founda on in- spires individuals, communi es and organiza ons to carry on Harvey's values in a meless vision for a bet- ter world. The Founda on's high visibility targeted programs support cross-cultural discussions that har- monize and share best advocacy prac ces on a global level which have been recognized with nearly every major global human rights award. HMF has built a reputa on of producing historic "firsts" that have be- come a hallmark of our work, from the United Na- ons, the European Union, The Munich Security Con- ference, the White House, and even to the Pentagon. Harvey's very unique but cri cal focus on building a base for societal change through face-to-face con- versa on with communi es that have tradi onally opposed LGBTQ equality, has enabled us to realize a dream that Harvey began and con nues to inspire our leadership and create sustained societal change. For more informa on, please visit www.milkfounda- on.org. About The Pride Center at Equality Park For more than 29 years, The Pride Center has pro- vided a welcoming, safe space – an inclusive home - that celebrates, nurtures and empowers the LGBTQ communi es and its friends and neighbors in South Florida. The Pride Center's programs and services meet the dis nct socio-economic, health, spiritual and safety needs of the LGBTQ community. The Pride Center hosts more than 65 regularly-mee ng groups

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