Saturday, March 13, 2010

 Thank you for following this year's Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Dinner & Awards Gala, 
Please donate to support the important ongoing work of the Human Rights Campaign by clicking here: www.bit.ly/aeUPWK

10:10pm - Clare Thomas and Andy Arnold bring the 2010 HRC Los Angeles Dinner & Awards ceremony to a close. The Attendees were invited to enjoy cocktails and conversation to the sounds of DJ Bizzy. 


10:08pm - Merideth Baxter announces the AT&T E-Hero award winning film, "They Can't Turn The Lights Off"

10:01pm - Portia De Rossi: "I feel very honored getting an award for doing very little compared to the organization that's giving it to me. So thank you to HRC for the work you do on my behalf." 
"Thank you so much for this award. It means a lot to me. On a personal note it really shows me how far I've come and how important it is to continue to use whatever platform I've been given to express my opinions and be a voice for equality. And I wont stop talking until equality is achieved and there's nothing more to talk about."

9:54pm - Betty DeGeneres introduces Portia De Rossi, this year's Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award recipient. "I'll bet that when I started working with HRC, none of us thought that I would be presenting an award to my daughter-in-law"

9:42pm - From season six of American Idol, musician Blake Lewis performs. "HRC is definitely getting everyone educated" Lewis said.

 - Break to announce the winner of tonight's raffle -

9:29pm - Dancing with the Stars' Louis Van Amstel takes the stage to screen the 3 finalist viral videos for the AT&T E-Hero Award. 

"They Can't Turn the Lights Off" 


"A Gaythering Storm" 


"Every Heart Matters"  

9:17pm - Kathy Griffin receives an excited welcome to the stage, "Hello to my gays and those who support them!" 
Griffin announces her upcoming rally in Washington, DC to support equality- the rally will take place Thursday March 18, at 12:00pm ET in Freedom Plaza. 
 
9:12pm - Lance Bass takes the stage to introduce Kathy Griffin, this year's Human Rights Campaign Ally for Equality Award honoree. "Kathy and I have been friends for years. She's been a friend to this community and has been fighting against discrimination for years, and not just as a celebrity spokesperson but down on the front lines.
She volunteered for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Vote for Equality campaign, working tirelessly to stop Prop. 8. Although we lost that day, Kathy did not hang it up and move on. She is with us now, and she will always be."

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If you are not in attendance but would like to donate to support the amazing work of HRC, please click to http://bit.ly/aeUPWK
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 -  Break for Dinner and Live Auction -


7:59 - HRC Federal Club Co-Chairs Anton Mack and Tim Morneau introduce sixteen year-old Chelsea Montgomery-Duban, who speaks about coming to HRC events with her two fathers since the age of 9. "HRC has always been a part of our family"
"tonight I am personally asking you to join the HRC Federal Club or the Federal Club Council. These are important giving levels that start at $100 a month, and ensure HRC has the funds to respond to attacks and be proactive in advancing equality. Just $100 a month for HRC's groundbreaking work. There isn't a better deal, trust me." 

7:54 - Senator Boxer states "I am proud to stand before you today as a proud supporter of Marriage Equality!"

7:52 - Sen. Boxer speaking about Don't Ask Don't Tell, quotes Adm. Mike Mullen, Chair of the Joint Chiefs "It comes down to Integrity..." Boxer: "If you're in the military, and you play by the rules, it shouldn't matter what your sexual orientation is- ONE TWO THREE, FIX IT!"

7:49 - Sen. Boxer speaks to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes act, "Violent acts of bigotry will no longer be tolerated in the United States of America"

7:47 - US Senator Barbara Boxer is introduced by Joe Solmonese, received by a brilliant standing ovation. "I am privileged to work with the Human Rights Campaign"

7:35 - Joe Solmonese, leader of the Human Rights Campaign, brings a reminder of how far Civil Rights have come in the last 45 years since Bloody Sunday and the galvanized beginning of the civil rights movement- and how far we have yet to come.
"Our Victories and our progress have energized our opponents and we need an army as big as theirs. We've come so far that most people agree with us, but agreeing isn't enough. We need our straight allies to join us in a bigger way." 

7:30 - An exciting compilation of video clips showing the presence of HRC in the media and the excellent work the HRC continues to do to promote LGBTQ rights.

7:27 - Clare Thomas & Andy Arnold announce this year's Dinner theme, "SPEAK THE TRUTH"
Clare and Andy wish to thank the attendee's of tonight's gala for making the work of the HRC possible and successful 

7:25 -Suze Orman takes the stage and opens the HRC LA Gala with overwhelming excitement!

7:20pm - The house is packed, the show is about to begin. Remember, you can recieve instant updates of tonight's action via twitter (@hrcladinner) and you can watch the live feed at http://bit.ly/9YQrVY

Welcome!

Welcome to the official LIVE blog for the 2010 Los Angeles HRC Dinner & Awards!

This year's gala will feature appearances by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Portia De Rossi, Kathy Griffin, Suze Orman, and a special performance by Blake Lewis. 
See the official site for more information at www.hrcladinner.com

-Stay tuned to this page and catch all the action with up-to-the-minute coverage begining at 7:00pm PT!

-For quick updates and highlights, follow us on Twitter at @hrcladinner!

-Watch the action via live streaming video at www.HRCLADinner.com/dinner_live.html 


Reporting Live: Phillip Kent Knight