[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-12-at-3.02.01-PM.png” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”Lee Glaze” captionposition=”right”] “The LGBTQ history in Long Beach is so rich and inspiring,” Gonzalez said. “Thank you to the Harvey Milk Promenade Park Committee for honoring these leaders, through the committee’s efforts, the City is able to recognize these leaders’ contributions for many generations.”
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-12-at-3.02.12-PM.png” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”Marsha Naify” captionposition=”left”] Each recipient is honored with a plaque at Equality Plaza, the centerpiece of the park that commemorates Milk and local gay leaders.
The plaza includes a concrete replica of the soapbox on which Milk stood to inspire crowds when he spoke, and a 20-foot flagpole flying the gay pride flag. Harvey Milk Promenade Park opened four years ago and is the first park in the nation to be named after Milk.
“We created Harvey Milk to honor our LGBTQ community and recognize the accomplishments of local leaders like these in the struggle for human rights and equality,” Garcia said. “I greatly appreciate Councilwoman Gonzalez carrying on this tradition, and my congratulations to these outstanding members of our community.”
Each year, the HMPP Committee meets to nominate and select the honorees to be inducted at the park.
The committee is composed of volunteer members that are a part of the LGBTQ community which include, but not limited to: Long Beach Pride, The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, Imperial Court, Lambda Democratic Club, downtown Long Beach residents, and/or other community leaders affiliated with and serving the greater Long Beach Area LGBTQ community representing the diversity of Long Beach.
The committee’s nomination process requires these criteria: the individual must identify as a member of the LGBTQ community, whether living or deceased, and the individual must have exceptional or outstanding contribution or service to the greater Long Beach Area LGBTQ community.
The current HMPP Committee members are: Cory Allen, Raul A. Añorve (chair), Kaye Briegel, Keith “Nick” Compton, Pat Crosby, Deb Kahookele, Stephanie Loftin, Vanessa Romain, Ron Sylvester and Ernie Villa.
“I’m so proud the committee is honoring these individuals who have been long-time activists for equality,” said Raul A. Añorve, chair of the HMPP Committee. “This celebration is always special as it embodies Harvey’s legacy by honoring our local LGBTQ community during Pride Month.”
This year’s 2016 honorees are:
• Jim Deaton: board member, Lambda Democratic Club; board member and president, Teachers Association of Long Beach; PFLAG Chapter of Long Beach
• Lee Glaze (posthumous): Pre-Stonewall pioneer; Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
• Audrey Stephanie Loftin: president, Lambda Democratic Club; LBPD Chief’s Gay & Lesbian Advisory Group; founding member, Gay & Lesbian Business Network; board member, LGBTQ Center of LB; LA County Commission on Alcohol; first openly gay President, Women’s Lawyers of Long Beach
• Marsha Naify: president, Lambda Democratic Club; Long Beach Human Relations Commission; co-chair, Long Beach LGBT History Project; board member, AIDS Walk Long Beach; president, Long Beach Community Business Network
The park is located at 212 E. Third Street. There is free two-hour parking located at City Place— Parking Lot C at 50 E. Third St.
