Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, SCOTUS Plantiff Jim Obergefell Head Palm Springs Garden Party

Two local HRC advocates for equality also to be honored

Site Staff LGBTQ+

The 16th annual Human Rights Campaign Federal Club Palm Springs Garden Party will be held Nov. 7 in Palm Springs.

 

The Supreme Court decision in June to mandate same-sex marriage as a constitutional right will serve as a celebratory catalyst for the 16th annual Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Palm Springs Garden Party from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 7 in Palm Springs.

Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case (Obergefell vs. Hodges), will be a featured speaker along with keynote speaker, HRC President Chad Griffin.

 

HRC President Chad Griffin (left) and Jim Obergefell.

 

Two local advocates for equality will also be introduced — Betty Callies, Agua Caliente’s director of Tribal Administration, and Tori St. Johns, a board member from Safe School Desert Cities. The pair will be feted the night before at an HRC Sponsor/Major Donor cocktail reception in Rancho Mirage.

Jill and Ed Perry will host the Nov. 7 event at their Andreas Hills Estate.

Kimberley Yang, PhD, executive director of Desert Family Medical Center, and Osmundo "Ossie" Saguil, HRC Federal Club Council member, will join the Perrys as event co-chairs. Saguil is currently the medical director for Desert Oasis Health Care, and has been active in the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association and Southern California Lambda Medical Association in addition to his support of HRC.

 

Betty Callies (left) and Tori St. John.

 

The afternoon will also feature a silent auction, remarks from local and celebrity honorees and tickets include a first year HRC general membership for non-members.

Tickets are $50 for HRC Federal Club members, $75 for non-Federal Club members, and includes hors d'oeuvres, hosted bar, and music. Individual tickets will increase by $25 each effective on Oct. 9.

Bennion Deville Homes is the presenting sponsor.

Visit hrc.org/psgardenparty to purchase tickets.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. Most recently, HRC launched its Project One America, which has sent staff and resources to work for LGBT rights in Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi where there are virtually no protections for LGBT citizens or families.

Human Rights Campaign Palm Springs Garden Party, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 7, at Andreas Hills Estate of Jill and Ed Perry in Palm Springs, hrc.org/psgardenparty