The City of Cathedral City, Montage Events, and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) are proud to announce that the City of Cathedral City has been selected to receive the Human Rights Campaign Community Leadership Award. The prestigious honor will be presented on the Stonewall Main Stage during the evening of Saturday, March 7, 2026, as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of Cathedral City LGBT+ Days.
This award recognizes the City’s unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ equity and its achievement of a consistent perfect score of 100 on the HRC Municipal Equality Index (MEI). The most recent perfect score, published in November 2025, signals Cathedral City’s sustained leadership in nondiscrimination protections, inclusive employment practices, and equitable municipal services.
“Cathedral City has modeled what it looks like when inclusion is not simply affirmed but operationalized through governance,” said Brian O’Connor, member of the Human Rights Campaign and HRC Foundation Boards of Directors. “This recognition celebrates the standard the City continues to set for communities across our region and the nation.”
The presentation will feature representatives from the HRC Boards of Directors, Montage Events, and the City Council.
Event Details:
- What: HRC Community Leadership Award Presentation
- Where: Stonewall Main Stage, Cathedral City LGBT+ Days (Cathedral City Community Amphitheater)
- When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, approximately 7pm
- Who: Honorable Mayor Raymond Gregory, the City Council, and the City’s leadership team
“Cathedral City is proud to be one of the most diverse and inclusive municipalities in the nation, and our vibrant LGBTQ+ community is a vital part of what makes this city so special,” said Cathedral City Mayor Raymond Gregory. “This award from the Human Rights Campaign reflects values that our residents share — that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index reflects our commitment in action and, as we celebrate ten years of Cathedral City LGBT+ Days, we couldn’t be prouder of the welcoming community we’ve built together.”
“We are incredibly honored to host this landmark presentation on the Stonewall Main Stage,” said Michael Westman, Montage Events. “As we celebrate ten years of LGBT+ Days, seeing Cathedral City recognized by the HRC for its perfect MEI score reinforces why this festival is so vital. It’s a moment of pride not just for the city’s leadership, but for every resident who calls this inclusive community home.”
About Cathedral City LGBT+ Days: Produced by Montage Events, Cathedral City LGBT+ Days is an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in the Coachella Valley. Featuring live entertainment and community activities, the festival remains California’s first Pride celebration of the year. cathedralcitylgbtdays.com
About the Human Rights Campaign: The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.
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