Human Rights Campaign gala successful despite RHA protest

On a peculiar Saturday evening, the Human Rights Committee (HRC) sponsored a highbrow fundraising gala at the Hilton Grand Ballroom in Midtown. The upper crust supporters of the gay community crowded into the sizable ballroom with crystal ceilings for the chance to rub elbows with the highly celebrated guests of honor Vanessa Williams and Idina Menzel. As protesters chanted outside, Mantryx, the aerial performers, took the stage to kickoff one of the biggest events on the LGBT calendar.

HRC head Joe Solmonese gave a moving speech outlining the HRC's agenda for the next calendar year. In a broad sense, they hope to achieve equal rights for all, but for now they are concentrating on strengthening the LGBT cause. "Fighting for your rights feels like hell," said Solmonese, then aptly quoting Winston Churchill, he added, "When it feels like hell, just keep going."

The Solmonese speech was vehemently interrupted by a renegade protester from the Radical Homosexual Agenda (RHA). The female representative held a sign that read "You can't spell LGBT with HRC" with a large pink middle finger imprinted beneath the accusatory line. Apparently, this type of protesting is nothing new for the committee. HRC receives funds from many large corporations, proven by large screens flashing too many corporate logos to count. The protester was politely, yet forcefully, ejected from the event.

In light of this fiasco, the Committee said they hope the coming election will bring in friends for the LGBT community to move forward with legalizing gay marriage in all 50 states. Solmonese asked the audience to take responsibility for their rights because every individual has the power to produce change.

The fundraising event honored many contributors to the cause including ERNST and Young. The investment bank is known for their parity policies in the workplace. Employees are able to be out and comfortable as ERNST and Young workers.

Soon after, Peppermint, a well-known drag queen, took the stage as an impromptu host for an auction of epic proportions. "There's a street value for my hugs, but we won't talk about that," Peppermint said as she sauntered through the crowd to rouse bidders. The auction items included a six night stay at the Caesar's in Atlantic City, a limo ride around the city and a shopping spree. This amazing package went to Williams for $3,500.

The audience awaited a performance by Menzel, star of the original "Rent" and "Wicked" casts. Menzel seemed a little out of sorts as she started her performance of "Defying Gravity," a hit song off of the "Wicked" soundtrack. When Menzel's voice cracked at the crescendo of the song, she squeaked, "I just cracked in front of the entire gay community - fuck." To give her some solace, she added, "I did much better at Splash [a nightclub where she held an album release party earlier]." Menzel even "hocked a loogie" before performing "Beautiful," a track off her recent album release I Stand. Though the performance was not her best, Williams was seen intently swaying to the music.

John Bartlett, Connecticut's first openly gay, black state legislator, gave an amazing speech complete with a shout out to Wendy Williams, a well known radio personality. He spoke about breaking the constructs of socialization saying "My district was constructed to be republican and my district is 96 percent white, yet I am a part of that district." He asked the audience not to limit self-expression because it essentially denies a person's identity, citing a time when he curtailed his behavior in fear that because it would be deemed "gay."

C-list diva Becki Newton from Ugly Betty, who tried to hog red carpet shots, introduced the Ally for Equality Award to Williams. Before Williams took the stage, a montage of funny clips from movies and music videos, spanning from more than a decade, flashed across the screen. Williams avidly supports the HRC campaign. "Million for Marriage," she said movingly. "A world that is comfortable with gay marriage is the world I want to raise my children in." Williams sang a few bars from "Colors of the Wind" and proudly walked off the stage with her honor.