Photo by Brian Addison of 2014’s inductees.

Nominations can now be submitted for the 2016 inductees to the Equality Plaza Memorial Wall located at Harvey Milk Promenade Park, the Equality Plaza Selection Committee announced this week.

“Over the past [four] years we have honored some outstanding leaders in the LGBTQ community and we are asking the community to help us continue that tradition by nominating other community leaders throughout Long Beach,” stated Raul Anorve, chairman of the committee.

The 2015 honorees were LGBTQ history aficionado David Hensley, the late Norman B. Reed, Coming Out in Long Beach exhibit contributor Dave Newell and Long Beach Pride co-founder Judi Doyle.

The first park in the nation to be named after the late civil rights leader is located in the heart of downtown Long Beach, where Third Street and the Promenade meet. Equality Plaza was created in 2012 at Harvey Milk Park to honor and recognize leaders in the local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Community, according to the release.

Individuals who have generously given their time, talents and passion to help advance the Long Beach LGBTQ community, much in the same spirit of Harvey Milk himself, are recognized with the induction.

Potential nominees may be living or deceased and must identify as a member of the LGBTQ community. To place a nomination for selection committee consideration, please submit a short bio of the nominee via this online submission form here by Friday, March 19 at 5:00 PM.

The names selected for the Equality Plaza Memorial Wall will be released later in the spring.