Sarah Jessica Parker

 
(Andy Cohen, Sarah Jessica Parker & Mayor Bloomber @ the Sheraton New York Towers)
 
 
Bringing together some of the heaviest hitters in our fight for LGBT equality, the Empire State Pride Agenda held its19th annual awards last week at the New York Sheraton Towers. Serving as emcees were Bravo personality Andy Cohen and  effervescent glamour girl Sarah Jessica Parker. Andy's a Friend of Dorothy, but he wanted to make sure SJP was the right gal to host a gay event, so he grilled her on stage with a rousing round of "Gay Bar or Steakhouse?" (If you thought Bear Lodge was a gay bar, think again!) After earning the title S-Gay-P, Parker told us, “I can’t think back far enough to find a time in my life when a gay person was not playing a huge role...I’m here tonight to thank you and to fight against homophobia and transphobia with you.” In her micro-mini and tippy toe heels, she could show Obama a thing or two about being a “fierce advocate!”
 
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Last night, Eastern Bloc co-owner Benjamin Maisani and new business partner,  illustrator Pablo Raimondi, welcomed friends and family to the official opening of their new nightlife venture, Bedlam, at 40 Avenue C. The Alphabet City lounge, formerly known as 40 C (the home of Michael Formika Jones’ Family and, more recently, a  few of Daniel Nardicio’s Speakeasy underwear parties), has been transformed into a turn-of-the-century parlor, with taxidermied animals, Victorian wallpaper, antique scientific equipment and old-fashion cocktails crafted and slung by former mr.Black bartender, Sam Chiera. Back in the VIP room, Maisani (left) told us of playing host for the night: “This is hard for me, because I’m a shy person.”  (Well, as shy as gay nightlife allows a sexy buff Frenchman to be, anyway.) The low-key gathering was made star-studded by the appearance of CNN silver fox Anderson Cooper, power couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew  Broderick, Bravo personality Andy Cohen and actor/cabaret star Alan Cumming.

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(Sarah Jessica Parker & Jeff Bewkes @ the Waldorf Astoria)
 

“I’m thankful that [organizers] Michelle Galindo and Bryan Parson were able to beat the pants off of Al Roker and Sam Champion by making sure not a single flurry of snow fell on the Waldorf Astoria tonight!” exclaimed New York Council Speaker Christine Quinn from the stage at last night’s Human Rights Campaign of Greater New York “Speak The Truth” Gala. Indeed, last night brought many blessings to our community with representation from all facets of the gay-mosphere such as Tim Gunn, Peppermint, Sarah Jessica Parker, honoree Bebe Neuwirth, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer and Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarin.
 
Igniting the night, Senator Gillibrand announced that as part of her efforts in the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” she would be introducing legislation to cut off any funding that goes toward the further discharge of gay and lesbian soldiers (video below). “Just like the brave New Yorkers at Stonewall [40 years ago],” stated Gillibrand, “we may be blocked at first attempt, but we will not give ground!” Adding to the political chutzpah of the night, Senator Schumer announced his nomination of Daniel Alter, the first openly gay candidate for federal judgeship.

 
Following her role in auctioning off a lunch date with Michael Urie and a shopping date with Tim Gunn (along with Zarin who added herself to the package), Peppermint was summoned back to the stage by none other than Sarah Jessica Parker (video below). Parker, who was on hand to present the Corporate Equality Award to Time Warner’s Jeff Bewkes, decided to throw down two tickets to the Sex And The City 2 premier in New York which was then “suitened” (as Peppermint quipped) by a representative in the audience from Kimpton Hotels who added two hotel rooms for the evening. Once bids had hit $12,000 Parker offered up two more tickets with suites for someone who would match that price. And just like that, with a little coercion from Peppermint, $25,000 was quickly collected. —Christopher Dilley

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