Photos by Brian Addison.
Tomorrow marks the birthday of slain LGBT leader Harvey Milk and the annual tradition of honoring Long Beach leaders and supporters of the LGBT community at Harvey Milk Park on this day continues. Six leaders—some still with us, others that have sadly passed on—were given small plaques with their names on it in the small section of the park known as Equality Plaza.
The six honorees not only received the small plaque on the west end of the park, but also formal recognitions through the state senate and assembly offices of Senator Ricardo Lara and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal.
First recognized was none other than the Fabulous Faggot of Funky Fourth Street, Carlos De Avila. Having passed early last year, De Avila is typically associated as the Godfather of 4th Street, but his contributions to Long Beach span far and wide: he was The LGBTQ Center’s first executive director as well as a co-founder; he was deeply involved in the Lambda Democratic Club; and he was city’s first artist-in-residence. His honor was accepted by his brother and sister, Richard and Edie.
The second posthumous honoree was Donald Snow, an essential cog in the development of the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club and a deeply respected HIV/AIDS activist in the 80s and early 90s. Though he passed at the young age of 39 due to AIDS in 1993, his activism and presence was influential to the extent that both Lambda and the Lesbian & Gay Lawyers Association of Los Angeles both have awards in his honor to this day.
“They have left this earth but are certainly still part of our lives and a part of every aspect of this community,” noted Vice Mayor Robert Garcia, who also host of the event.
Hermosa Beach native and Vietnam veteran Ernie Villa was recognized for his unending dedication to the historical preservation of the Wilmore District as well as its LGBTQ community. The cancer survivor has been continually involved in HIV/AIDS activism, having helped victims of the disease access hospice care. Additionally, he served as the Grand Marshal of the Pride Parade in 1998.
Long time politician and current Vice Mayor of Signal Hill Larry Forrester was recognized for his courageous dip into politics as an openly gay, HIV-positive man. His diagnosis of HIV in 1985 eventually turned to AIDS in 1994, prompting him to retire from his engineering-related position.
“There are few examples of as much courage, commitment, and love of community as there is with Larry Forrester,” Garcia said. “He was one of the early pioneers when it came to being an LGBT official, when it came to being an official of living every day with HIV and AIDS. That commitment to truth and honesty has inspired so many young people across the country.”
Margo Martinez, one of Long Beach’s most respected HIV/AIDS activists, was honored for her dedication to providing help to those who couldn’t get it at the onset of the AIDS crisis during the 80s. After training for hospice care, Martinez would jump from hospice house to hospice house to care for those struck by the tragedy which took the lives of many every day when it initially hit. While many got caught up in questions of morality surrounding the crisis, Martinez “got done what needed to get done,” in the words of Garcia.
Lastly honored was long-time Pride veteran Vanessa Romain, who been involved with Long Beach Pride for 29 years, served on its board for 27 years, and acted as its president for 5 years.
“If you look at the history of Pride—where it has been and where it will go—Vanessa’s name will always be a part of it, part of the history,” said Garcia.
The park currently has temporary plaques up while the permanent blocks are being etched. Harvey Milk Park—described by Garcia as “small but mighty”—is not only the first park in Long Beach to be dedicated to a member of the LGBT community but also marks the first park in the entire nation named after the famed San Franciscan.
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