Please join the City of West Hollywood in celebrating Harvey Milk Day!

Save the date of Thursday, May 22, 2025! This also marks the first day of WeHo Pride! (May 22-June 30)

We will be celebrating the political legacy of Harvey Milk, the first openly LGBTQ person to win political office in California, and holding the 3rd annual José Julio Sarria Drag Pageant. Sarria was the first openly gay man to run for office in the United States in 1961 and helped pave the way for Harvey Milk’s successful run for office. José Julio Sarria was also a well-known drag performer under the name Window Norton, and founded the International Imperial Court System which is one of the oldest and largest LGBT organizations in the world.

The City of West Hollywood passed a Resolution to add Harvey Milk Day to its calendar of official holidays on April 20, 2015, and we have had official celebrations ever since. Past celebrations have included staged readings of ‘Dear Harvey’, and screenings of ‘Milk’ and ‘Nelly Queen’.

In 2024, the City presented the second annual Jose Sarria Drag Pageant, hosted by City of West Hollywood Drag Laureate, Pickle. Several drag icons were honored at the event. Judges included Queen Mother Karina Samala and Emperor Eugene Maysky of the Imperial Court, Landon Cider, Anil Patel, Nyx, and Kyra Jete. Check out photos from 2024: https://www.flickr.com/photos/weho/albums/72177720317366452/

For more information on the City's  annual Harvey Milk Day celebration, contact City of West Hollywood Arts Coordinator, mche@weho.org. 

Check out our promo video with footage from 2023 below!