Residents can watch the new plaques get added to the Equality Plaza, and celebrate the park’s 10 year anniversary on Saturday.
This weekend, residents can honor seven local LGBTQ+ leaders while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Harvey Milk Promenade Park.
Councilwoman Mary Zendejas and the Harvey Milk Promenade Equality Plaza Selection Committee invite residents to join in celebrating the induction of the 2023 honorees on Saturday, Oct. 21.
“Harvey Milk Equality Plaza serves to honor and recognize the contributions of our LGBTQ+ leaders who represent the values of public service,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas in a statement. “Our 2023 honorees have exemplified the dedication to their communities that Harvey Milk embodied, positively impacting the lives of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Each of the honorees will receive a plaque at Equality Plaza, which serves as the focal point of the park. Equality Plaza features a concrete replica of the soapbox where Harvey Milk once stood to address and inspire crowds. Additionally, a 20-foot flagpole at the plaza displays the gay pride flag.
The Harvey Milk Promenade Park, named after the country’s first openly gay politician, became the nation’s first park dedicated to Milk’s memory nearly a decade ago.
Stuart Milk, nephew of the park’s namesake, will be in attendance during the event, which coincides with the park’s 10th anniversary.
“The Harvey Milk Equality wall has become a landmark for the LGBTQ+ community of Long Beach,” the Harvey Milk Park Equality Plaza Selection Committee said in a public statement. “The selection committee is thrilled to induct these local leaders who continue to inspire and create change in their own lives and our communities.”
The Equality Plaza portion of the park is dedicated to honoring local LGBTQ leaders who have been advocates for equal rights, AIDS research, entertainment, historic preservation, reducing homelessness and other important causes.
The 2023 honorees are as follows:
- Cory Allen: With a background in local government, Allen has been a voice for the community and has developed policies to support LGBTQ business owners. He has collaborated with various local and statewide governmental officials and previously served as Emperor of the International Imperial Court of Long Beach.
- Karel Bouley and Andrew Howard: This pair is recognized for hosting the first openly gay drive-time radio talk show on KFI and for their advocacy for LGBTQ rights.
- Charlotte “Charlie” Cornett: Charlie played a significant role in co-founding the Gay & Lesbian Havurah at the Jewish Community Center, the first of its kind in the nation. Additionally, she co-founded the LGB Teams Project at the Center and led the Legal Clinic at Rainbow Services, a shelter for battered women, primarily serving the lesbian community.
- Tom Crowe: Crowe led the LGBTQ+ Ugandan Refugee Program in response to the Anglican Church of Uganda’s support of the 2014 Ugandan Parliament’s “Kill the Gays” Bill.
- Carol Hass: Hass has been a Board Member of Long Beach Pride for over a decade and has worked on facilitating funding for LGBTQ community groups. She has also hosted and led numerous workshops for the community.
- Debra Kahookele: During her work as a community advocate, Kahookele has been instrumental in raising awareness on various projects for the City of Long Beach. She has volunteered and sponsored events for the LGBTQ+ community for over a decade and serves on several boards, including the Long Beach Rotary, Long Beach Day Nursery and more.
