Community gathers to honor LGBTQ activist George Zander
The Palm Springs and LGBTQ community came together to remember the life of a well-known activist George Zander. A vigil was held tonight in memory of Zander, three years after he was attacked in a hate crime.
Three years ago today, Zander and his husband Chris were attacked outside of Hunter’s Nightclub in Palm Springs. The two men arrested in that attack plead guilty on various charges with one of them convicted of a hate crime. Palm Springs Police say the couple was targeted because of their sexual orientation.
Zander and his husband survived the attack. Zander died shortly after in December 2015, but not as a result of the attack.
“Two years later I was looking at, as, you know, this is tragic, I don’t want to live this over again,” Chris said. “I think the candlelight vigils are wonderful, but it’s like reliving his death every time we do the vigil.”
Chris continued, “But now I come this year and I feel it’s different, i feel like this time i’m here to celebrate his life.”
As a way to remember Zander, a candlelight vigil and a march was held. People at the vigil said they are reflecting on the path Zander paved for other LGBT activists.
“Every year, he would have a fundraiser and he raised money for various LGBT charities here in the valley and he was always there to help people and advise people,” said Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon.
Ron Dehart, the president of Palm Springs Pride, said the first step in accomplishing that goal is raising awareness.
“We want to bring the community together to change hate and intolerance into love and acceptance,” Dehart said.
The march went through downtown to the site where Zander and Freitas were assaulted. Police made their presence clear, after an increase in reported hate crimes nationwide. PSPD will be out in full force this weekend, as “Palm Springs Pride” kicks off.
“We work very closely year-round planning the safety and security that surrounds pride weekend activities so we have a great plan in place and a high level of confidence in the police department,” Dehart said.
PSPD Sergeant Mike Casavan said the department is deploying the Desert Regional SWAT team for this weekend’s events in an effort to eliminate attacks.
As Zander’s memorial shines brightly through Pride weekend, plans were announced to install a plaque as a permanent memorial to remember Zander. The plaque is planned to be placed on the corner of Calle Encilia and Tahquitz, organizers hope to have that plaque in place by June 2019.
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