Six people and one local organization were named Wednesday as recipients of this year’s Palm Springs Pride Honors Awards for their contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.
The awards will be presented at a reception at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Hilton of Palm Springs, 400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
“These awards do more than simply acknowledge individual achievements. They send a clear and resounding message that the LGBTQ+ community and its allies are strong, visible and united,” CEO of PS Pride Ron deHarte said in a statement.
The event will be co-chaired by Coachella Valley Firebirds, its One Valley Foundation, Hilton Palm Springs and Desert Care Network.
This year’s recipients include:
— Community Service Award: Ben and Bob Kincaid, owners of Roadrunner Print and Ship, for sponsoring numerous city events;
— Pride Award: Loren Ostrow, CEO of Living Out, for creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ adults and allies;
— Organization of the Year: Courageous Resistance Indivisible of the Desert, for educating and advocating for equal rights;
— Arts and Culture Award: Valerie Milano, senior editor of The Hollywood Times, for covering cultural events in Palm Springs;
— Friend of Pride Award: Rev. Jane Voigts, for fostering inclusion at United Methodist Church of Palm Springs; and
— Business of Pride Award: Honey Davenport, founder of Honey’s Hoes hosiery line for drag performers, for using her platform to speak out for marginalized communities.
“In the face of political rhetoric that seeks to erase or marginalize LGBTQ+ people, events that shine a spotlight on community leaders and their accomplishments are an act of resistance,” executive director of PS Pride Jasmine Sullivan-Waits said in a statement.