2018 Event

Champions of equality and inclusiveness celebrated during fourth annual Diversity Honors presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

A sold-out crowd of South Florida LGBTQ supporters turned out to celebrate champions of equality and inclusiveness at this year’s Diversity Honors, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The fourth annual event which took place at the Hard Rock Event Center for the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park.

Dolores Huerta, preeminent leader of the Latino, Labor and Women’s Civil Rights Movement who has worked for civil rights and social justice for over 50 years, received the Harvey Milk Foundation Honors Medal and Dean Trantalis, Fort Lauderdale Mayor and LGBTQ Advocate, was awarded the first-ever Pride Center at Equality Park “Alan Schubert Award of Excellence.” Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Gay-Straight Alliance were recognized with the Harvey Milk Foundation Milan Rozsa Youth Award plus each student received a commemorative keepsake guitar from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and a special gift from DMK. David Richardson, Florida State Representative serving District 113 and current primary candidate for Congress in Florida’s 27th District was honored for his significant impact on improving the quality of life for the LGBTQ community

The elegant event began with a lively open bar cocktail reception which included an interactive balloon raffle, red carpet photos and entertainment by Athena Dion plus a cast of performance artists. Guests then experienced a spectacular freeform dinner reception featuring delicious food stations, a continuous open bar, aerial performers and the inspiring awards presentation which featured a generous $50,000 check presentation by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

The evening concluded with the Stoli After Party highlighted by decadent desserts, flowing spirits and a headline performance from rhythm & blues singer, songwriter and actress LaToya London. Daisy Deadpetals provided additional entertainment and attendees danced the night away in the club-like atmosphere with live tracks spun by world-renowned Tracy Young.

This collaborative effort between the Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park, along with generous support from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, has put South Florida on the international stage of LGBTQ rights and activism in honor of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States who was assassinated shortly after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This year marked the 40th anniversary of Harvey Milk’s historic service.

Sponsors of Diversity Honors 2018 included Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, DMK – Danne Montague-King, Stoli Vodka, Levi’s®, Macy’s, Miami Foundation, Stegelmann Family, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, Hotspots! magazine, WSVN, South Florida Gay News, Ludwig Framemakers, Fast Printz, OutClique, Lightship Media and Michael Murphy Photography.