The nation holds it breath as we await the ruling on Proposition 8 and marriage equality from the California Supreme Court. We also await a Congressional and then Senate vote on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act/The Matthew Shepard Act, a resolution from the San Diego City Council on repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and numerous other steps toward full equality and the American promise of equal treatment for all citizens.

But waiting is not all that people who love justice are doing. Scores of hard-working groups and coalitions of groups are working every day – getting fair legislation passed and resolutions made, and working toward the education of all San Diegans, Californians and Americans, no matter how reluctant, about GLBT equality.

Nationally, statewide and locally, hundreds of groups are fighting, each in their own ways as well as together, to ensure equality. Whether it is the incredible legal work of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal and the ACLU, the national and local leadership displayed by the Human Rights Campaign, the statewide leadership of EQCA, the awesome efforts of San Diego Pride, the relentless organizing of Marriage Equality USA, the long-standing commitment of the San Diego Democratic Club, the work of labor and Pride At Work, the relentless energy of Faith for Equality, the tireless efforts of PFLAG, the organizing work of SDEA and SAME, the great visibility of Bridges for Pride or the work of The San Diego LGBT Center and scores of other groups, all of the work we all do to reach out beyond the “gayborhood” and educate matters – and is critical to success.

One of San Diego’s efforts to reach out and create even larger, more visible coalitions of those who will fight for equal treatment of all is the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Committee. Organizations and individuals from across San Diego County, GLBT and non-GLBT, civil rights groups, Labor groups, faith groups and more have come together to establish this event in recognition of our common goal – equal rights for all.

The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast will be held on Friday, May 22, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn on the Bay. The event will be emceed by Mayor Jerry Sanders and his daughter Lisa Sanders, and the keynote speaker will be the dynamic and nationally acclaimed civil rights leader Dr. Marjorie J. Hill. The Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award of San Diego County will be presented to José Julio Sarria, lifelong activist and the first out gay person to run for elected office. To find out more, visit www.thecentersd.kintera.org/milk.

In establishing an annual, city-wide celebration of Harvey Milk’s birthday and his vision, this event hopes to bring continued visibility to the importance of equality of all people and the vital principle of working in coalition with our partners in the struggle.

As we wait for the California Supreme Court to rule on whether to overturn Prop 8 and restore marriage equality in California or uphold Proposition 8 and force us to continue the struggle for equality, many are asking, “What do we do when we find out? How will we know what comes next?”

Although we will only have 24 hours notice before the Court’s ruling is published, arrangements are already being made to hold Day of Decision rallies across the state – whether in celebration or renewed commitment to the fight. In San Diego, we will gather at Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street in Balboa Park beginning at 5 p.m., then march at 6 p.m., with a rally following at 7 p.m. For more details about Day of Decision events across California, visit www.dayofdecision.com.

Waiting to find out what will happen to our civil rights is difficult. But we are not simply sitting back and holding our collective breath. The work continues even as we wait.