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Home » Blogs » Sarah Warn's blog » Stars come out for Broadway gay-rights fundraiser

Stars come out for Broadway gay-rights fundraiser

by
Sarah Warn

Members of the Broadway community and other celebrities gathered at the Gershwin Theatre on Monday, February 23 for Defying Inequality, a celebrity benefit concert for equal rights for the GLBT community, with proceeds going to aid the work of the Empire Stage Pride Agenda, Equality California, Family Equality Council, Garden State Equality, and Vermont Freedom to Marry.

Openly gay TV show host Carson Kressley and out comedian Judy Gold served as the event’s hosts.

The show kicked off with a live performance of Marc Shaiman’s Prop. 8: The Musical, the video version of which has become an Internet phenomenon (watch it here).

Then there were several other performances, including dancing, singing, and speech-making.

Here are a few of Michael Portantiere’s exclusive photos of the event — see the rest on AfterElton.com:

Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)

Lynda Carter

Bebe Neuwirth

Jane Fonda

Cyndi Lauper

Keith Olbermann

You can donate to the cause via jointheimpact.com.

  • Sarah Warn's blog
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    • Submitted by
    Sarah Warn
    on February 24, 2009 - 8:53pm.
    TAGS :: 
    Lunakiss's picture

    Beautiful Supporters For Equality Fundraiser

    Submitted by
    Lunakiss (2085 posts)
    on February 24, 2009 - 9:17pm.

    www.myspace.com/lunakiss7.com

    Wow, that's great. It's nice to see Jane Fonda.

    A line taken from my poem "She" It is SHE who awakens my soul..."

    thefemininedivine.blogspot.com

    Lowell's picture

    awesome

    Submitted by
    Lowell (193 posts)
    on February 24, 2009 - 9:21pm.

    i used to have a crush on "lilith" when she was on frasier. 

    i know, i know.

    Melissa Hsu's picture

    Bebe ( lilith )

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on February 24, 2009 - 10:15pm.
    Yup, me too, actually she's still looking fine!
    DocCovington's picture

    Frasier?

    Submitted by
    DocCovington (79 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 4:13am.
    I used to have crush on "Lilith" when she was on "Cheers" back in the 80's! =D
    Melissa Hsu's picture

    Realization.

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on February 24, 2009 - 9:31pm.

    I have such a crush on Judy Gold. She makes me wish I was a Jewbian...

    Inkblots

    Melissa Hsu's picture

    wow

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on February 24, 2009 - 9:36pm.

    this is awesome.

    and i've always majorly hearted tamara tunie.

    Astrogirl's picture

    Me too

    Submitted by
    Astrogirl (190 posts)
    on February 24, 2009 - 10:56pm.

    My little gay antenna quivers hopefully whenever she's onscreen. She always has my undivided attention.

    Sarah's picture

    Wow, they're all great

    Submitted by
    Sarah (105 posts)
    on February 24, 2009 - 10:40pm.

    I have so much respect for all of those people. I wish I could thank all of them individually for the support. They don' t have to be doing all of this, yet they're still working for our rights.

    And does the title of the concert, Defying Inequality, remind anyone of the song Defying Gravity from the totally gay musical Wicked? Idk.. I'm such a theatre nerd. :P

    agent99's picture

    Yep, totes gay

    Submitted by
    agent99 (21 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 12:35am.

    Agreed, Wicked is totally gay.  Fiyero?  Puh-lease.  It's all about Elphie and Glinda! 

    -------------------

    Your note can suck my note, 'cause your note is my note's bitch ...

    Elisabeth's picture

    Totes

    Submitted by
    Elisabeth (174 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 5:27am.
    Hihi, i gotta ask, is that a Shoshana Bean reference?? Coz to me it totes is, lol.
    agent99's picture

    Notes

    Submitted by
    agent99 (21 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 8:51am.

    Nope, it's from [title of show] 

    ------------------ 

    *Your note can suck my note, 'cause your note is my note's bitch ...

    The Shapusens's picture

    We miss you [tos].

    Submitted by
    The Shapusens (34 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 9:35am.
    We miss you [tos].
    JT.'s picture

    It was named after that

    Submitted by
    JT. (10 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 1:21am.

    It was named after that song.  Initially the idea came from one of the Wicked LA ensemble/understudies, Briana Yacavone.  The Wicked companies across America did small concerts in their towns/cities one Monday night in January.  Obviously it just became a rather large thing. 

    pecola's picture

    Aww

    Submitted by
    pecola (1504 posts)
    on February 24, 2009 - 11:06pm.

    I miss CJ Cregg Allison Janney on my TV.  

    ----- 

    "The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use — of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public." -- Robert F. Kennedy

    TruMischief's picture

    The west Wing/,,,,,,,CJ sightting

    Submitted by
    TruMischief (877 posts)
    on February 24, 2009 - 11:13pm.
    The West Wing is on Bravo at 8 and 9am M-F.  At least it is where I live,  You might want to check your listings.
    luna81de's picture

    Tamara Tunie

    Submitted by
    luna81de (74 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 4:11am.

    I've always had a feeling that Tamara Tunie is gay-friendly. But knowing it now makes me really happy. :) Thanks to her and all the others who support gay rights!

    Elisabeth's picture

    Love Broadway

    Submitted by
    Elisabeth (174 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 5:31am.

    I can always count on Broadway to put a big gay smile on my face. Defying Inequality, i thought i couldnt love Wicked anymore, but i guess i can :D.

    Oh and Allison Janney, NEEDS to re-appear on tv, coz even though i love rewatching The West Wing just for her, lol, its gonna get old at some point. And i wanna see her every week. Plus how cute is she with that look on her face (in the second pic).

    The Shapusens's picture

    Kerry Butler

    Submitted by
    The Shapusens (34 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 9:33am.
    Kerry Butler


    Must include her!  She is amazing, and without a doubt our favourite Broadway Leading Lady!  Talented and sweet as can be.
    afroaktor's picture

    So So So great!

    Submitted by
    afroaktor (11 posts)
    on February 25, 2009 - 11:01am.
    So So So great!

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