We're 50, y'all! Join us for UNSTOPPABLE, the largest, grandest, queerest Gayla in our history. From the doors we've kicked open, to the policies we've written and advocated for, to the communities we've organized and mobilized, the impact of the Milk Club is undeniable, and we're just getting started.
Let's celebrate our victories and organize for the next 50 years.
Secure your seats now--our Gayla sells out every year! We are very excited to host our 50th anniversary at our largest venue yet, the San Francisco Design Center Galleria. This is one you won't want to miss! Additional information about the evening to come soon. For any questions, please email events@milkclub.org.
Our 2026 Awardees
Martha Wash
Sylvester James, Jr., known as singer-songwriter Sylvester, was born on September 6, 1947, in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. While growing up, he immersed himself in gospel singing at his Pentecostal Church, but eventually left as the congregation showed disapproval of his homosexuality. Sylvester moved to San Francisco in 1972, where he became a part of other local countercultures. He joined the drag troupe, The Cockettes, and later formed a rock group, Sylvester and his Hot Band. His recording career took off from a contract with Fantasy Records. After the 1977 release of “Sylvester”, his second album, “Step II”, received tremendous acclaim. The record included “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real” which became a gay anthem, especially in San Francisco, which was receiving a large influx of LGBT residents. Sylvester’s distinctive falsetto voice, flamboyant personae, and gender-bending characteristics made him one of the Disco Era’s most popular artists. He spent much of his last decade in the fight against AIDS. Sylvester died from AIDS complications on December 16, 1988. The Sylvester Pride in the Arts Award is presented to participants in the arts who embrace Sylvester’s vision of queer creative expression and its social and cultural contributions.
Sylvester James Pride in the Arts Award
San Francisco Labor Council
Bill Kraus Leadership Award
A Kentucky native, Bill Kraus was born in 1947 and grew up in Cincinnati. He moved to San Francisco in 1976 and volunteered on Harvey Milk’s 1977 campaign for supervisor. Bill’s strategic abilities led to his co-director role in the fight to defeat 1978’s Proposition 6, The Briggs Initiative. He served as the third Milk Club president during 1979-80. His leadership helped shape a membership experiencing major growth and political influence. Subsequently, Bill worked as an aide to Congressman Phil Burton and later to Congresswoman Sala Burton. In the 1980s, he joined many other LGBT Community members in the solidarity movement opposing U.S. intervention in Central America. When AIDS surfaced in 1981, Bill was among San Francisco’s most vocal activists demanding a response to the rapidly growing pandemic. Bill’s legendary refrain of “Doesn’t anybody care?” continued to underscore the inaction of government and greater society. Bill was diagnosed with AIDS in 1984 and remained outspoken until his death on January 11, 1986.
California Nurses Association
Jazzie Collins Transgender Rights & Culture Award
Jazzy Collins was a highly respected and prolific socioeconomic justice activist as well as an openly HIV positive transgender community leader. She was born to a teen mother on September 24, 1958 in Memphis, Tennessee. Jazzy moved to San Francisco in 1988 and began her transition in her late 40s. In 2002, she organized her fellow tenants at the Plaza Hotel when the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency attempted to demolish the building. During 2002-2004, Jazzy worked at the Mission Agenda, served as an organizer for the South of Market Community Action Network and advocated for housing and land use issues at City Hall. She was on the board of the Western SOMA Plan in 2005-2009 and chaired the SOMA Stabilization Committee in 2006. In 2010, Jazzy became an organizer for Senior Action Network and later served as vice chair of San Francisco’s LGBT Aging Policy Task Force. She was also an active Harvey Milk Club member and served on the Trans March Board. In June 2013, Jazzy was honored for her activism by the LGBT Caucus at the State Capitol. After a week of hospitalization, Jazzy died surrounded by many friends on July 11, 2013. Jazzy will be long remembered for her passionate advocacy on behalf of low-income, immigrant, queer and senior San Franciscans. The Jazzy Collins Award is presented to one or more individuals who advance the quest for transgender rights and cultural recognition.
50th Anniversary Gayla Sponsorship Levels
50th Anniversary Gayla Chair (Limit 1) - $50,000
Includes: Recognition as Gayla Chair, Remarks during the Gayla program, Three 8-person tables (24 tickets for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Full back cover advertisement space on program book, Three (3) printed banners hung in the venue, Logo displayed on stage during the event, Logo displayed in the program book, Logo on all printed materials and social media, Six (6) pay-it-forward tickets to go to hardworking volunteers and supporters who couldn’t otherwise participate.
Unstoppable Concert Host (Limit 1) - $25,000
Includes: Recognition as Unstoppable Concert Host, Brief greetings during the concert program, Two 8-person tables (16 tickets for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), an additional 24 tickets to the Concert Celebration, Full page advertisement in the program book, Two (2) printed banners hung in the venue, Logo displayed on stage during the Concert Celebration, Logo displayed in the program book, Logo on all printed materials and social media, Four (4) pay-it-forward tickets to go to hardworking volunteers and supporters who couldn’t otherwise participate.
Legacy Collection Host (Limit 1) - $20,000
Includes: Recognition as Sponsor of the 50th Anniversary Memorabilia Collection, Logo on Memorabilia Collection Photobooth and throughout the collection exhibit, Two 8-person tables (16 tickets for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Full page advertisement in the program book, Two (2) printed banners hung in the venue, Logo displayed on stage during the event, Logo displayed in the program book, Logo on all printed materials and social media, Four (4) pay-it-forward tickets to go to hardworking volunteers and supporters who couldn’t otherwise participate.
Includes: Two 8-person tables (16 tickets for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), 4 additional tickets to the Concert Celebration, Full page advertisement in the program book, Two (2) printed banners hung in the venue, Logo displayed in the program book, Logo on all printed materials and social media, Four (4) pay-it-forward tickets to go to hardworking volunteers and supporters who couldn’t otherwise participate.
Two 8-person tables (16 tickets for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Full page advertisement in the program book, One (1) printed banner hung in the venue, Logo displayed on table during the event, Logo displayed in the program book, Logo on all printed materials and social media.
One 10-person table (10 tickets for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Full page advertisement in the program book, Logo displayed on table during the event, Logo displayed in the program book, Logo on all printed materials and social media.
One 8-person table (8 tickets for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Half page advertisement in the program book, Logo displayed on table during the event, Logo displayed in the program book, Mention on social media, Two (2) pay-it-forward tickets to go to hardworking volunteers and supporters who couldn’t otherwise participate.
Five (5) Gayla tickets (for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Half page advertisement in the program book, Logo displayed on table during the event, Logo displayed in the program book, Mention on social media.
Four (4) Gayla tickets (for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Logo displayed in the program book, Mention on social media.
Two (2) Gayla tickets (for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Name displayed in the program book, Mention on social media.
One (1) Gayla ticket (for the reception, dinner, and Concert Celebration), Name displayed in the program book.
