GLAAD allies and supporters gathered April 19 to help save lives. About 80 people packed Lake View restaurant Taverna 750, 750 W. Cornelia Ave., for the third annual GLAAD Hatter Brunch.
Attendees decked out in all kinds of hats donated a lot of dollars, which event sponsor Ketel One Vodka doubled. All proceeds directly to support GLAAD's work. Counting Ketel One's matching contributions, the auction items raised more than $11,000.
The event's special guest, GLAAD Strategic Giving Officer/National Spokesperson Omar Sharif Jr., stressed the importance of the organization's work.
"GLAAD saved my life," Sharif said. "If they're willing to do that for mea little kid in Egyptimagine what they do for everyone."
Sharif told the crowd how coming out took him from being Egypt's favorite son to public enemy number one. He lost his Egyptian citizenship.
GLAAD, he said, is not just changing hearts and minds, but lives. Sharif said he is advocating for the thousands of LGBTQ people, who reach out to him on Facebook and Twitter.
"That's who I'm really representing," he said. "I had a soft landing and easy road."
Sharif acknowledged his privileged upbringing with some humor.
"Growing up Sharif was like growing up Kennedy … or Kardashian," he said with a grin.
Sharif also recalled when first GLAAD reached out to him. He thanked "the American community" for adopting him. Despite being privileged, he didn't have everything.
"I didn't have any gay friends in Egypt … but I had Will and Grace and Jack and Karen [characters on the TV show Will & Grace]," Sharif said.
He shared that, not to elicit pity, but to highlight the pain of so many LGBTQ youth. Sharif said 3.2 million youth are bullied. Again, he stressed GLAAD's mission and accomplishments.
"Today, we're saving lives," Sharif said.
Live auction items included two limited-edition beach cruiser bicycles, which MillerCoors donated; two first-class round-trip Delta Airlines tickets to anywhere in the United States and Canada that Orbitz donated; and two GLAAD Media Awards VIP Getaways, including round-trip airfare.