On May 22, nearly 1,000 San Diegans gathered for the first Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. Like events celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. and César Châvez, this gathering celebrated the life and legacy of a civil rights icon. It was a proud moment for the GLBT community, for San Diego, and for the civil rights movement.

City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez and I served as the co-chairs of the broadly diverse 40-person planning committee for this historic event, and we want to acknowledge that group’s tremendous efforts in making the breakfast a success. We all committed ourselves to a program that focused on Harvey Milk’s commitment to equality for all, and especially his belief that we succeed by building broad coalitions and working together toward our shared goals. The planning coalition sold tables, provided input on the program, helped design the essay contest and select its amazing winner, and did a hundred other things to ensure the success of the event. We could not have asked for a more dedicated and effective group.

I would also like to thank our co-chair, Nicole Murray-Ramirez, for his vision. There are always plenty of reasons not to do something as daunting as launching a large new event, but Nicole was convinced that this was precisely the right time. And he was right. I am grateful to Nicole for his persistence and contributions to the success of the breakfast, and we are both grateful to the community for rallying around this bridge-building and affirming event.

Our breakfast had amazing support from more than 75 sponsors and co-sponsors and the 90 individuals and organizations who purchased tables. Our thanks also go out to the almost 40 elected officials who were able to join us in person or send their representatives. We were especially proud to feature the entire 13-member delegation of current and former openly GLBT elected and appointed officials from throughout San Diego County. They gathered to salute José Sarria, who became the first openly gay person to run for elected office in the United States in 1961. They were followed by the inspiring winner of our youth essay contest, Megan Hogan, whose video presentation left tears in our eyes. And we owe an incredible debt of gratitude to State Assemblymember John Pérez for substituting as our keynote speaker on only 13 hours notice, and nevertheless delivering an inspiring address!

Although there are hundreds of people who participated in executing this inaugural event, we wish to particularly acknowledge the participation of Diversionary Theatre and photographer Daniel Nicoletta. The Harvey Milk photo montage shown at the breakfast was created for their recent world-premiere production of Dear Harvey by Patricia Loughrey. Many of Nicoletta’s photos, including photos documenting the film Milk, are in the new book Milk: A Pictorial History of Harvey Milk. We are also very grateful to the Gay & Lesbian Times for donating advertising space, publicizing the event and creating a fabulous cover feature in honor of Harvey Milk.

We were honored to have Stuart Milk, Harvey’s openly gay nephew, join us to talk about his uncle’s legacy. Following the event, he sent a note that touched me deeply and is worth sharing:

“Robert, I have had a bit of a whirl wind with several events in a few days but nothing can compare to Friday morning – what you, Nicole, your breakfast committee, and all those that spoke, all those that sang, all those that made the videos, all those that staffed the event, all those that hosted tables, and the incredible energy of your 900 that showed up – it was an amazing example of unity and a community growing and coming together for the type of tomorrow that Harvey dreamed of. Dreams that he talked to me about when I was a teenager and you all created. It was my great honor to have been able to participate. I am most sincerely thankful to you and Nicole and everyone in San Diego. Stuart”

Working in coalition towards a common goal, we can accomplish so much together. We hope the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast was an inspiring event for the community and one that also celebrated the growing coalition of those dedicated to full equality for all people. We look forward to seeing you at the second annual event next year!