Hundreds celebrate life of prominent LGBTQ advocate
The LGBTQ community is remembering one of the Coachella Valley’s strongest advocates for gay, lesbian, and transgender rights. Hundreds of people came out to a memorial and celebration of life for George Zander.
“I love you baby and I look forward to the day that I can hold you in my arms again,” said Chris Zander from a podium in front of the memorial service crowd. Chis is George’s husband.
“It’s the most beautiful feeling it just warms my heart. The community has been so supportive with just overwhelming love, and it just makes me feel wonderful inside that my man had this much impact on the community,” said Zander.
George and Chris Zander were assaulted in November of last year after leaving Hunter’s Nightclub. George Zander suffered a broken hip and later passed away. Chris was also injured in the alleged hate crime. Chris Zander says he hopes this assault shines a light on the issues LGBTQ people face everyday.
“I think it’s going to make a huge impact and I think it’s going to change people’s lives once they read the story and they understand that the fight is not over, the fight continues and we are getting closer and closer to equality but we’re not there yet,” said Zander.
“We need to celebrate George, this is not a memorial, it’s not supposed to be sad event even though it is for some of us,” said Ruth Debra, the chairperson Stonewall Democrats. Debra knew George Zander for several years.
The two men arrested for the alleged hate crime, Keith Terranova and Christopher Carr, have not been charged with murder.
“I’m going to have to leave that in the Police Departments hands and hope that everything goes well. I can’t be angry at these people I have to forgive them and no matter how much I want to be angry, yell, shout, scream I have to forgive them that’s what George would have done,” said Zander.
Both suspects will be in court Tuesday for felony settlement conferences which will set a preliminary hearing date.
George Zander will be honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in April.
