On April 22, the Los Angeles LGBT Center raised more than $1 million to support its lifeline services and advocacy benefiting the LGBTQ+ community during The Center Gala at the Fairmont Century Plaza, per a press release.
Hundreds of supporters attended the event, which honored author/activist/actress Pamela Anderson, Emmy-winning actress Keke Palmer (who played a lesbian character in the Jordan Peele movie Nope) and entertainer Leslie Jordan (posthumously) for their contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.
Emmy-winning television host (and former employee of the Center) Karamo Brown (Queer Eye; Karamo) presented Palmer with the Vanguard Award for her achievements in the entertainment industry, as well as her commitment to creating new opportunities for young people from marginalized communities. Hollywood vets Mayim Bialik and Del Shores provided a tribute introducing the inaugural Leslie Jordan Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Social-media and television sensation TS Madison hosted the gala, which featured a special performance by R&B/soul artist Durand Bernarr, who was also presented with the Center's "Rising Star" award by Grammy-nominated artist Adam Lambert.
Other highlights of the evening include a guest video appearance by Mariah Carey, who criticized the 400+ pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation currently on the books in the United States,; and a video of Nicole Richie "volunteering" at the Center, directed by 73 Questions creator Joe Sabia of Studio Sabia.
"While I have only been the Center's CEO since July, I know from my 25-year career that the Center is like no other organization in our movement. Not only are we fighting for our community's rights through our global advocacy work, we are on the frontlines caring for the most vulnerable in our community when they need us most," said Los Angeles LGBT Center Joe Hollendoner in a statement. "The Center's masterful weaving of direct services, public education, and policy work creates a safety net to ensure that no one falls through the cracks."
Andrew Davis