Attorney Stephanie Loftin stands at Harvey Milk Promenade Park on a replica of Harvey Milk’s “soapbox” that he used when he spoke in public. Loftin was inducted onto park’s Equality Plaza Memorial Wall in May 2016 for her work in fighting discrimination in the gay community. Photo: Michael Buitron.
LONG BEACH — Do you know an LGBTQ champion who should be recognized at Harvey Milk Park?
Nominations are open for the 2017 inductees, which will be memorialized on the park’s Equality Plaza Memorial Wall. Harvey Milk Promenade Park, Third Street and The Promenade, is the first park in the nation named after the late civil rights leader.
“We recognize that input from the community is important in identifying those pioneers and community leaders, both past and present, who have shown exceptional service or made outstanding contributions to the greater Long Beach LGBTQ community,” Raul Añorve, chairman of the park’s selection committee, said in a statement released Monday.
HARVEY MILK PARK
Equality Plaza and Harvey Milk Park opened in 2013 to honor and recognize leaders in the local LGBTQ community who have used their time, talents and passion to help advance the LGBTQ community in the same spirit of Milk himself.
Along with plaques commemorating LGBTQ leaders and activists, the plaza includes a concrete replica of the soapbox Milk stood to inspire crowds when he spoke, and a 20-foot flagpole flying the LGBTQ pride flag.
LGBTQ champions listed on the wall include activist Lee Glaze, attorney Stephanie Loftin, historian David Hensley, Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride co-founders Judi Doyle and Marilyn Barlow, former Signal Hill Councilwoman and activist Ellen Ward, among others.
HOW TO NOMINATE
Nominees may be living or deceased and must identify as a member of the LGBTQ community in greater Long Beach.
A short biography can be submitted with the online application.
Submissions are due March 31 at 5 p.m.
Inductees will be announced in late spring to coincide with Milk’s birthday on May 22 and Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride, which will take place May 20 and 21.
HARVEY MILK
Milk was the first openly LGBTQ person to win office in California when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone on Nov. 27, 1978.
Harvey Milk Promenade Park is the first park in the nation named for the late civil rights leader. Photo: Trang Le/Q Voice News
