The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast returns to the Palm Springs Convention Center on Thursday, May 14, bringing together community leaders, students, advocates, and allies for one of the region’s most meaningful annual gatherings. Now in its 14th year, the event continues its mission of strengthening coalitions across the Coachella Valley while honoring the legacy of Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay elected official and a national symbol of courage and equality.
This year’s program will recognize two powerful forces in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Brandon Wolf will receive the Harvey B. Milk Leadership Award, and Judy and Dennis Shepard will be honored with the Harvey B. Milk Legacy Award. Tickets and sponsorships are available at HarveyMilk.us.
Honoring Brandon Wolf: Harvey B. Milk Leadership Award
Brandon Wolf is widely known as a nationally recognized advocate for LGBTQ+ civil rights and gun safety, a bestselling author, and a survivor of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. His voice has become a vital presence in national conversations on equality and public safety, with frequent appearances on MSNBC and CNN and published work in outlets including Oprah Daily, The New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today.
Wolf has been named among Logo TV’s “30 LGBTQ Changemakers,” Huffington Post’s “30 LGBTQ Influencers Under 30,” and Out Magazine’s “100 Most Influential LGBTQ People in America.” In 2019, he became the first Pulse survivor to testify before Congress, later returning in 2022 to address the rise of anti‑LGBTQ hate violence before the House Oversight Committee.
His advocacy extends into political engagement as well, having served as a national surrogate for Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign and as an advisory committee member for President Biden’s 2020 general election bid. Wolf also co‑founded The Dru Project, which has awarded more than $250,000 in college scholarships to LGBTQ+ youth.
Honoring Judy and Dennis Shepard: Harvey B. Milk Legacy Award
Judy and Dennis Shepard have spent more than 25 years transforming personal tragedy into a global movement for compassion, justice, and equality. After the 1998 murder of their son, Matthew Shepard—an act of anti‑gay hate that galvanized the world—they established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to advance the values Matthew championed: social justice, diversity education, and equality for LGBTQ+ people.
Judy Shepard, the Foundation’s founding board president and former executive director, continues to travel the country speaking about acceptance, community responsibility, and the ongoing fight against hate. Her 2009 memoir, The Meaning of Matthew, chronicles the family’s journey and their continued work for civil rights. In 2024, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Dennis Shepard, a longtime safety specialist in the oil industry, has served on the Foundation’s board since its inception. He speaks nationally to law enforcement groups, victim‑advocacy organizations, and community audiences about equal treatment for LGBTQ+ crime victims and their families. Together, Judy and Dennis remain powerful voices for empathy, justice, and change.
About the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
Created to honor the life and legacy of Harvey Milk, the breakfast brings together diverse community organizations, students, civic leaders, and advocates to celebrate progress and recommit to the work ahead. The event fosters unity across the Coachella Valley and supports the next generation of leaders through student participation.
Coffee hour begins at 8:30 am, followed by breakfast and the program at 9:30 am. Tickets, sponsorships, and co‑sponsor tables are available at HarveyMilk.us.