George Zander to be honored with 394th Palm Springs Star
The Palm Springs Walk of Stars will honor humanitarian, rights advocate and former Palm Springs resident, George Zander with the 394th Star Dedication Ceremony.
The ceremony will be held on Tuesday April 5, 2016 at 3:00pm at 205 South Palm Canyon Drive. The public and media are invited to attend the star dedication ceremony.
A separate ceremony to celebrate the life of George Zander is being held on Monday, March 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 401 S. Pavilion Way in Palm Springs. The event is being sponsored by the nonprofit group ‘Some Fabulous Leos’ and Desert Stonewall Democrats.
Organizers said the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, Desert Winds Freedom Band, Hula Me Kala Culture and others are scheduled to perform and to share their memories and stories about George. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend and participate in the tribute.
Friday, January 8 update: The Board of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars has overwhelmingly approved a Star for George Zander. The board said it wanted to thank everyone who supported the memorial to honor the life and legacy of the LGBTQ equal right’s advocate.
More details about the unveiling of Zander’s Star are expected to be released in the near future. News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will deliver more details as soon as they’re available.
Initial Report:
An effort to honor a well-known LGBT activist with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars is now moving forward.
George Zander died last Thursday,less than two months after he was injured in an alleged hate crime.
Since News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 first told you about the effort nations have been pouring in.
Thursday, the first fundraising goal of $5,500 was met. ($5,000 for application deposit, and $500 for Go Fund Me fees).
“Every day I am filled with honor and gratitude and joy for knowing him,” said star campaign organizer Ray Chance.
Chance said while thinking of a way to honor his friend and long-time activist George Zander, one idea was all he could think about.
“George is a star and it just kind of went bing bing in my head. George deserves a star and made me think of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. He worked this street every Thursday night with the Democrats of the Desert, Equality, Pride Marshall Days, the Pride Parade were the highlights of his life,” said Chance.
Zander lived in Palm Springs for more than 20 years. He also was the regional field manager for Equality California, a statewide LGBT civil rights organization
“George was a friend and an advocate for all,” said Chance.
Chance said he has Zander’s husband’s blessing to raise funds through thisGo Fund Me accountand submit an application for Zander.
“As he said to me, ‘George would be tickled pink, that’s perfect.’ George was a star. He never did it for his own adulation, but he loved the recognition because it showed that he made a difference,” said Chance.
Anyone can nominate a person for a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. A 13-member board decides from the application if the person is eligible. In Zander’s case, it will most likely be for a humanitarian star. Then a $5,000 donation starts the process.
“Once they approve that, then it gets real,” said Chance.
In all a $10,000 donation is required for the star. Chance is looking to raise a total of $11,000 to cover the cost of the fees associated with the fundraising website Go Fund Me.
The ultimate decision will be for the board, but Chance would like to see the star somewhere near South Palm Canyon and Arenas.
“This is where George was. This is George’s corner in a way, many people know him or knew him from just that one spot,” said Chance.
In November, Zander was injured when he and his husband Chris wereattacked outside Hunter’s Nightclub in Palm Springs in an alleged hate crime.
Palm Springs LGBTQ activist speaks exclusively about being attacked
Investigators are now trying to find out if Zander’s death is a result of the assault.
Chance wants Zander to be remembered for how he lived and he thinks the star is a way to do that for generations to come.
“In 50 or 100 years some little kid goes, ‘Hey daddy who is George Zander?’ and they pull out their Palm Springs Walk of Stars books, or maybe then it will be an automated app, and they look up George and they see his life and they go, ‘Wow, he was a pretty incredible guy.’ And the kid goes, ‘I want to grow up like him,'” said Chance.
If Zander is honored with a star, another $5,500 will need to be raised.
Chance said if they raise more than the $11,000 needed, the extra will be donated to a charity selected by Chris Zander, George’s husband.
For more information about the fundraising effort click here.
