(OUTscene AMERICA) Re-Cap: HRC dinner in LA brings out Mariah Carey, Matt Bomer, Lena Dunham and many more!

Mariah Literally Stole the Show!                                  Hernandez  

by Greg Hernandez
Greg in Hollywood

When word got out that Mariah Carey would be performing at Saturday night’s Human Rights Campaign Dinner in Los Angeles, the event quickly became a sellout.

The crowd of 1,200 had to wait until the very end of a long, star-studded evening, before the Grammy winner was introduced by Empire star Jussie Smollett.

‘I don’t know how to explain how much a love this woman … she is one of the greatest vocalists of all time,’ said Smollett who came out publicly as a gay man earlier this month.

‘I’m about to pee myself,’ he admitted. ‘She’s right there.’

(OUTscene AMERICA) Sally Field is presented HRC Award by her gay son, Sam Greisman, then gives powerful, moving speech!

 

Below is a video of Sally Field from Saturday night’s HRC gala in Washington DC. She’s every bit the wonderful mother of a gay son in real life as she was on Brother’s & Sisters.

And what a son! He’s 25-year-old Sam Greisman, by far the youngest of Field’s three sons.

Sam attended NYU and presented the HRC Ally for Equality Award to his mom, a star since the mid-60s and the winner of two Oscars (Norma Rae, Places in the Heart) and three Emmys (Sybil, ER and Brothers & Sisters). She has also starred in such gay faves as Steel Magnolias, Soapdish and, of course, Gidget and The Flying Nun.

(OUTscene TV) Frenchie Davis performs at the 2012 Pacific NW HRC Dinner!

One of the Final Highlights from this year's NW HRC Dinner was an appearance by the IDOL/VOICE/BROADWAY Diva, Frenchie Davis. ENJOY!

(OUTscene TV) Dustin Lance Black speaks at the 2012 Pacific NW HRC Dinner!

Dustin Lance Black (MILK, J.Edgar, 8) spoke upon receiving the 2012 Visibility award last Saturday at the Seattle Sheraton.

(OUTscene TV) New HRC Prez, Chad Griffin speaks at the 2012 Pacific NW HRC Dinner!

For the first time in the NW, we got to hear from HRC's New National President, Chad Griffin, at the Pacific NW HRC Dinner held this past Saturday at the Seattle Sheraton. Please feel free to comment below and we will send to Chad personally.

(OUTscene NW) the 2012 HRC Pacific NW Dinner was all about WA Politics and Marriage Equality!

Dustin receives the visibility award

HRC's annual dinner was a blast, but downsized!  Full house at the Sheraton Ballroom, list of good speakers, including several spots from Chad Griffin, new national President. Lacy All of HRC Seattle launched the hour segment about Marriage Equality. Good audience response when the money donated by the jazzed crowd brought in $300,000 to Approve Ref-74 campaign. The crowd was buzzing at fever pitch with this amazing effort.

Dustin Lance Black, film maker famed for his movie about Harvey Milk gave a stunning speech - (Video Posted this week). He was on fire, very, very personal and to the point. Impressive. He reminded us if Washington State can approve Gay Marriage this rest of the country will take notice. We also got to know the new HRC President, Chad Griffin and saw a new ad that was a Prop 8 ad that we will see from the opposition of Ref-74. Closing the evening was IDOL/VOICE/Broadway Diva, Frenchie Davis.

Noticed that Lance Black dodged out after his speech and was later spotted at Seattle's New Club, Q.

At the Federal Club reception, prior to the event, the spotlight was on Washington with speeches from Jay Inslee, candidate for Governor and Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA). Also spotted was congressman, Rick Larsen. Look for More coverage in the coming days!

OUTscene: Sen. Patty Murray, Johnny Weir highlight the Pacific NW HRC Dinner!

By M.K. Scott
OUTscene Editor

620 of Seattle's LGBT elite came out this past Saturday to the 2010 Pacific NW HRC Dinner. Ryan and I attended the silent auction prior to the dinner where Married With Children's Amanda Bearse was spotted. At the Dinner, the appearance of Sen. Patty Murray solidified her upcoming re-election win.

HRC's President, Joe Solmonese updated us of what HRC is doing and the reaction to the DADT  dead lock and It was refreshing that they were less corporate compared to last year.

The Equality award went to Janice Langbehn, for her work for LGBT Equality after the death of her partner in Florida, and her children were not allowed to see her. Langbehn said in her acceptance speech that one of the Hospital administrators (Who is still employed) said this is an "anti-gay hospital in an anti-gay state". Since 2007, Langbehn has spoken to large crowds about changing laws related to visitation for same-sex couples.

The Visibility award went to Johhny Weir, the Adam Lambert of Men's figure skating. Weir is known around the world as the "People's Skater".


After the dinner, everyone came to the post-party to grab a moment with Johnny. First in line were Ryan and myself, of course!

Q-Events: NW HRC dinner raises $71,000 to approve Ref 71!

Bill Kapfer

Rep. Rick Larson (D-WA)

Kathy Najimy

SEATTLE, WA- On Saturday. September 26 was the Pacific Northwest HRC Dinner featured guests Kathy Najimy and comedian Dana Goldberg and raised $71,000 for efforts to Approve Referendum 71. The Equality award this year went to Amy Balliett, founder of Join The Impact. I was honored to be sitting at the same table as US congressman, Rick Larson, and PR Executive, Bill Kapfer. Also spotted was PABA's Michael Long; State Senator, Ed Murray and many more!