HRC

(Julianne Moore @ Waldorf-Astoria)

The gays, the politicians and the celebs stepped out Saturday night for the Human Rights Campaign's Annual Gala Dinner, cheekily subtitled "No Excuses" in hopes of galvanizing our state's higher-ups  on the long-awaited marriage-equality initiative. Indeed, a rep for newly inaugurated Governor Cuomo reiterated the Gov's promise to make marriage equality a reality "within the year." (We'll see). Accepting the Ally for Equality Award—which last year went to Bebe Neuwirth—was Julianne Moore, last seen playing gay in The Kids are All Right.

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(GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios & Michael Urie @ the Marriott Marquis)
 
 
At last month’s HRC of Greater NY Gala, Michael Urie spontaneously put himself up for auction during the Peppermint-run portion of the show. At last weekends GLAAD Media Awards, we checked in with the Temperementals star to see if that had panned out yet:
 
“In a couple weeks I’ll be having a lunch. I’ve never done a date auction but have done a luncheon auction which is always really fun to do. It’s fun to sit down with somebody who is willing to ‘buy me.’ I’ve been asked ‘Aren’t you afraid it’ll be a crazy person?’ and I feel that if somebody is willing to spend a lot of money just to have lunch… they’re going to have something interesting to say and its always been fun and interesting” –Christopher Dilley continue reading »

(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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