Last weekend celebrities came out in style to attend the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center’s annual fundraiser An Evening with Women, and we have photos, photos, and more photos! (All photos are from Getty unless otherwise specified.)
Our L.A. Scene columnist Sarah Witness is going to cover it in more detail in her next column, but here’s a quick rundown of the event.
Gina Gershon (Love Ranch, Bound) was scheduled to host, but had to back out at the last minute when her shooting schedule was changed, so Jennifer Coolidge (Nip/Tuck, Best in Show) gamely stepped in to MC, entertaining the crowd with lines like, “a word about Mormons – what the f–k?” (pause) “I realize that was more than one word.” Legendary musician (and organizer of the event) Linda Perry played piano and sang a new song she wrote called “Letter to God,” which is scheduled to be released on Courtney Love‘s new album Nobody’s Daughter in June.
Christina Aguilera received a standing ovation after singing “Beautiful,” accompanied by Perry on guitar. Sharon Stone hosted a silent auction, commenting from the podium about the recent Miss California incident: “Stupid does not represent America anymore.” The Bette Midler package (4 tickets to her show in Vegas, 2 nights at the Palms, and a backstage escort to meet Bette) went for $9,000. Awards for outstanding achievements within the lesbian and bisexual women community were given to Chicana theater writer, director, performer Adelina Anthony, Arts & Entertainment Award; filmmaker and activist JD Disalvatore, Community Service Award; health, education and advocacy pioneer Dr. Katherine Gabel, Professional Achievement Award; lesbian transgender woman and organizer Hannah Howard, Grassroots Activist Award; and advocate for LGBT people of color Anne Marie Williams, Public Service Award.
Sarah Silverman performed her trademark raunchy stand-up routine to an appreciative crowd, and after dinner, Samantha Ronson DJ’d as everyone danced.
AfterEllen.com writer/blogger/vlogger Dara Nai, who also wrote a portion of the evening’s video program, shared a few anecdotes with us of her experiences at the event:
Clementine Ford looked fantastic, as you can imagine. I was lurking in the press area when she came down the red carpet with her mom. She was listening to her mother answer a reporter’s question when she spotted me. She smiled and waved, saying, “Hey! I know you. Hi!” (She appeared in a PSA I wrote, and I saw her again at Linda Perry’s studio during a shoot earlier this month.) I was tempted to turn around to see who she was talking to – I never think people notice or remember me. But Clementine is such a genuine, nice person, she did.
As if that wasn’t enough to make my night, I ran into Eliza Dushku after dinner. I introduced myself and told her I was recapping Dollhouse for AfterEllen.com. She didn’t walk off in a huff, so that was good. We talked about the show – she’s a soft talker, so I happily had to lean in to hear her – and she said they finished shooting Season 1. I asked her if the finale had a good cliffhanger. She said no, but it’s “very interesting,” whatever that means. While we were talking, they rolled the video I wrote for the Arts & Entertainment Award. I was waiting to see it, but missed it because I was talking to Eliza – and you don’t tell Eliza Dushku to shut up, just so you can admire yourself.Among the other women who attended were Kate Moennig, Leisha Hailey, Dania Ramirez, Rose McGowan, Jane Lynch, Elizabeth Keener, Annabelle Wallis, Brittany Snow, Dita Von Teese, Jodi Lynn O’Keefe, Candis Cayne, and Sharon and Kelly Osbourne.
Continue on to see more photos from the event!
Arrivals
