U.S. Rep. Val Demings (L) and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. (Photos are in the public domain)
ORLANDO | The LGBT+ Center Orlando announced in a press release May 5 that U.S. Rep. Val Demings and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings would both be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the organization’s ninth annual Harvey Milk Breakfast & LGBT+ Center Diversity Awards.
“Harvey Milk Breakfast & LGBT+ Center Diversity Awards is personally one of my favorite events we host yearly,” Dr. George A. Wallace, The Center’s executive director, in a statement. “It’s an opportunity to highlight local leaders, businesses, champions and allies that amplify what Harvey Milk’s legacy represented for the LGBT+ community. It brings me joy to announce the 2021 honorees.”
Along with the Demings, The Center will recognize several other local leaders and businesses who have “for significant leadership or influence in championing or progressing the local LGBT+ community.”
The leaders being recognized are State Sen. Linda Stewart, who will receive the LGBT Ally award; Bros in Convo Initiative founder Daniel Downer and The Center’s Joel Junior Morales, who will both be honored with the Orlando Trailblazer award; Vivian Rodriguez, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto’s outreach coordinator, will receive the Kissimmee Trailblazer award; and the City of Orlando will be named Champion of Equality.
On the business side, Miracle of Love will be recognized with the LGBT+ Center Business Award Nonprofit, Green House Realty will receive the LGBT+ Center Business Award Small Business and State Farm will be honored with the LGBT+ Center Business Award Corporate.
The Center will also announce the two recipients of its inaugural scholarships. The Center will be awarding two $500 scholarships — one to a student from Orange County and one to a student from Osceola County.
The ninth annual Harvey Milk Breakfast & LGBT+ Center Diversity Awards will be held in the Oscar Wilde Ballroom at the Sheraton North in Maitland on July 21 at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. Individual tickets are $60 with VIP tickets available for $100. VIP includes premium seating and valet parking. All proceeds benefit programming at The Center.
