Originally Publishing at Sarasota Magazine

By Kay Kipling

The 2020 Harvey Milk Festival, honoring the legacy of gay rights activist Harvey Milk and set for May 1-9, has been on hold in response to COVID-19 issues. But organizers say they are still working with the City of Sarasota to plan new dates for the 11^th annual event, which typically features live music, film, performing and visual artists, speakers and vendors designed to engage a large and diverse audience.

In the meantime, several virtual series will be taking place during those original dates. Among them:

HMF Virtual Advocacy Series, May 1 at 6 p.m., will feature a Queer & Trans Advocacy Talk by Tomboi, a creative project founded by Alexander Eli, Paige McMullen and Summer Wood in Northeast Florida. Tomboi’s songs typically blend ‘90s R&B influences with live and electronic beats. The group originated as an outlet for sharing members’ experiences as queer folx living in the South and has since expanded its reach to assist other LGBTQIA artists. Instagram: @tomboiband Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomboiband

HMF Art May 7, 5:30-9 p.m. features queer artists in a virtual experience, and there is an open submission for queer+artists around the world until April 22. Submit by following this link, harveymilkfestival.org/queerexhibit/. Works will be streamed on harveymilkfestival.org and other social platforms.

HMF Performance Art & Dance, May 8, 7 p.m. This virtual experience features Jess Pope, MXME (Erne Murphy and Shannon Fortner) and more TBA.

HMF Music, May 9, 4 p.m.-11 p.m. The music festival planned for J.D. Hamel Park in Sarasota has been postponed, but most of the performers scheduled, along with musicians who have performed over the past 10 years, will be part of the Queer Artist Series. Headlining bands scheduled include Rituals of Mine, Moon Palace, MeteorEYES, Roxx Revolt & The Velvets, FRUUT, Soulpax, Emmanuel Sasson, Jordan Esker & the 100%, Auto Kania, Rose and more to come.

Visit harveymilkfestival.org for the latest info.