The Cathedral City Public Arts Commission is pleased to sponsor the first annual Stonewall Humanitarian Awards Gala on Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Mary Pickford Theatre in Downtown Cathedral City. The Gala celebrates the 49th Anniversary of one of the most important days in the LGBTQ civil rights history, known as the “Stonewall Riots of 1969.”
On June 28, 1969, the New York City Police Department raided the Stonewall Inn bar that was frequented by the LGBTQ community and began arresting these individuals based on laws that forbid being lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, or questioning (LBGTQ). Being arrested back then often resulted in your name and/or picture being blasted in the newspaper or on television, which often resulted in immediate job and housing loss as well as public ridicule. It also often resulted in criminal penalties including monetary fines or even jail time, including up to life in prison. In California, homosexuals were sometimes committed to psychiatric institutions for life.
The Stonewall Riots were considered the breaking point in American history when the LGBTQ community said, “Enough.” They fought back, began to organize, and became visible through Pride parades that started the year after on June 28, 1970. The community also mobilized and advocated to rescind anti-LGBTQ laws nationwide.
In celebrating this milestone, and the many LGBTQ milestones achieved thereafter, the Transgender Community Coalition will host the 1st Annual Stonewall Humanitarian Awards Gala for the Coachella Valley at the Mary Pickford Theatre. This event educates the community about the Stonewall Riots and other human right’s needs, and recognizes others for their achievements in equality. Funds raised will directly support the Transgender Community Coalition mission and to provide needed resources to over 27,000 Transgender, Intersex, Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary people with job placement, housing, healthcare, legal assistance, housing, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, PrEP and PEP, youth, suicide prevention, clothing, food, life emergency assistance, emotional and peer support, social justice, advocacy, family intervention, public accommodation and inclusion. In addition, the funds help in providing education to healthcare agencies, police departments, schools, organizations, non-profits, businesses and much more to ensure there is inclusion of Transgender, Intersex, Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary people.
Special guest speakers and presenters include Comedian Shann Carr, Katie Ullman from L-Fund, Palm Springs City Councilmember Lisa Middleton, Drag Performer Alfie, International Jazz Musician Jennifer Lietham, and many more.
The main entertainment of the Gala will be SVET, an Electro Hip Hop Violinist, as seen on the television show, America’s Got Talent. SVET is one of the most profound and unique acts. He is globally recognized for his incredible talent to recreate music and songs of today with the violin. While finishing a 60-city international tour, SVET has shared stages with iconic stars including Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Phillip Phillips, Ceelo Green and The Black Keys!
A special feature of the Gala will include SVET performing a song with Palm Springs High School LGBTQ violinists.
Tickets are on sale now at the Mary Pickford Theatre Box Office or online at https://goo.gl/7it6HL. VIP tickets are $96 each, and general tickets are $69 each.
For more information about this historical Gala event that celebrates the LGBTQ community, go to DiscoverCathedralCity.com. We hope to see you there!
