Judy Garland introduced songs such as “The Boy Next Door” in the 1944 film “Meet Me in St. Louis.” (photo courtesy of Warner Bros.)

On June 10, 1922, one of the most enduring cultural icons was born, though christened with an unfamiliar name: Frances Ethel Gumm. Twelve years later, while performing in a Vaudeville trio with her older sisters, she became Judy Garland. Movie contracts, hit records, five husbands, three children, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows followed in a career that lasted decades – and came to an abrupt end on June 22, 1969, when the troubled yet triumphant star died at age 47.

In the midst of it all, the transcendent star won and embraced a large gay following – one of the first mainstream performers to do so. Her most recognizable song – and arguably the most popular song in history – “Over the Rainbow” became an emblem of the struggle for gay rights, with some citing it as an inspiration for the rainbow flag. For years, gays used the code “a friend of Dorothy,” a reference to Garland’s famous “The Wizard of Oz” character,” to identify their sexual orientation.

During a 1965 San Francisco press conference, Garland was asked how she felt about her gay following.

“I couldn’t care less. I sing to people,” she said. “I’ll be damned if I’ll have my audience mistreated.”

Now, annually on her birthday, the city of West Hollywood will honor Judy Garland Day in tribute to the legend’s early support of the LGBTQ+ community.

“‘Over the Rainbow’ holds so much power and meaning to so many people, especially the LGBTQ+ community,” Mayor Chelsea Byers said. “It’s a cherished and beloved anthem, and Judy Garland gave us the gift of a lifetime in her performance. As someone who wore those iconic ruby red slippers for more than one costumed occasion in my childhood, I’m so honored to celebrate her memory and legacy in the city of West Hollywood.”

The inaugural event, hosted by the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, will be held at Beaches Tropicana as part of its official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Perfumer Vince Spinnato’s unisex fragrance, aptly titled Judy, will be available for purchase. A collection of costumes and memorabilia will be exhibited, on loan from collector Woolsey Ackerman and sponsored by the Hollywood Heritage Museum.

“Judy Garland was an iconic ally to our community – a symbol of hope and tolerance who brought many of us endless hours of joy, laughter and love,” Councilman John Erickson said. “My mother’s favorite song is ‘Over the Rainbow,’ and that is an anthem that still holds for so many of us today.”

The doors open at 4 p.m., with the ribbon cutting set for 6:30 p.m. An intimate panel discussion will follow with Spinnato, Ackerman, author Meredith Ponedel and Garland’s “Meet Me in St. Louis” co-star Margaret O’Brien. Members of the Garland family are also expected, which could include her children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joey Luft.

“Judy Garland is an icon, not just in Hollywood history, but in LGBTQ+ history as well,” Councilman Danny Hang said. “Her legacy is woven into our community’s story of resilience, identity and pride. For many, especially older generations, her music and presence offered comfort in a world that didn’t always accept them. It’s incredibly meaningful that West Hollywood is honoring her with an official Judy Garland Day. It’s a reminder that queer history and pop culture are deeply intertwined, and that even decades later, Judy is still bringing people together.”

Vice Mayor John Heilman pointed out the importance of honoring Garland, who dealt with very public struggles with addiction.

“As we honor Judy Garland’s legacy, we shouldn’t forget her struggles with substance abuse,” Heilman said. “Unfortunately, addiction and substance abuse remain a serious problem for our community and our country. We should honor Judy Garland for her talent and her unwavering support for her gay fans. However, we should also honor her by increasing our efforts to prevent substance abuse, especially within Hollywood.”

For those looking to extend their celebration of Garland, Turner Classic Movies has scheduled some of her most popular films to air on June 10, including “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Easter Parade” and “A Star is Born.”

To RSVP for the event , visit  eventbrite.com/e/west-hollywoods-official-judy-garland-day-ribbon-cutting-tickets-1356072532449. Beaches Tropicana is located at 8911 Santa Monica Blvd.

Judy Garland enjoyed a night on the town with Peter Lawford at West Hollywood’s former Sunset Strip nightclub The Mocambo in 1947. (photo courtesy of @collecting_judy)