Government shutdown causes cancellations at desert event

Three honorees at Saturday Night’s Equality California Palm Springs Equality Awards will not make the event due to the federal government shutdown.

Jesse Melgar of Equality California confirmed to News Channel 3 Friday afternoon that honoree U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, along with Congressman Ruiz and Congressman Mark Takano, of Riverside, will not be present.

The two Democratic representatives will have to stay in Washington over the weekend to await a possible vote on a deal being hammered out with party leaders on Friday. No word on why Sebelius cannot attend.

The event which is being held at the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs, at a cost of $175 a person, will still feature musical guests Kimberly Caldwell and Bobbie Eakes. The event will be hosted by local comedian and actor Leslie Jordan. Equality California is the state’s largest gay advocacy group.