Cleve Jones Visits San Jose, Speaks at DeFrank Center
A huge thank you to Cleve Jones for his inspiring talk on Thursday evening, April 30, at the Billy DeFrank Community Center. Speaking to a packed and enthusiastic house — well over 200 people filled the Grand Ballroom — Mr. Jones touched on many subjects, including Harvey Milk, the AIDS Quilt, and the fight for marriage equality. In a speech at times angry and defiant, other times sad and wistful, Mr. Jones made tangible for the audience his own personal experience of over three decades as a gay-rights activist, community builder, and devoted friend of so many.
Mr. Jones was introduced by Gloria Nieto, who also made possible Phyllis Lyon's visit to San Jose in March. After some remarks by Mr. Jones, participants were treated to a viewing of scenes from the movie Milk, starring Sean Penn in the title role. Following that was an interview of Mr. Jones by Troy May of OutNow magazine; afterward, audience members were invited to participate in an open question and answer session.
This event was sponsored by OutNow Magazine, Pride At Work, Unite Here! and the Billy DeFrank Community Center, and was made possible by the volunteers at Marriage Equality Silicon Valley in cooperation with the Martin-Lyon Leadership Institute. Accommodations for Mr. Jones were graciously arranged by MESV volunteer Rick Infantino.