US Congressman Jerold Nadler, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn who proudly serves as an openly gay speaker and Senator Charles E. Schumer and many more in office who graced the eleventh Human Rights Campaign Gala held at the majestic Waldorf Astoria Hotel, for facilitating the process that made it possible for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to pass the same sex marriage bill last year, thus making New York State the largest to recognize it.
Rumer, the British sensation often as being reminiscent of Karen Carpenter and signed by Atlantic Records serenaded the audience during the interval with her remarkable performance.
But the defining moment was when Ryan Murphy; creator of the hit series GLEE and AMERICAN HORROR STORY presented fashion icon Anna Wintour with the Ally of Equality Award. Self-assured and regal in a tiered ruffled Valentino shift the speech was the highlight of the evening. Ms. Wintour spoke very fondly of her dear friend Eric Bowman, one of the world’s most influential photographers, who was overcome emotionally when he wed his partner of many years as something that he never quite thought would happen in his life time. To all nays Sayers Ms. Wintour represents the epitome of the power of sheer determination and persistence for the tireless championing of the commitment to the LGBT community through her work with marriage equality, HIV/AIDS activism, and the It Gets Better Campaign.
Johnny Weir, 3X U.S. figure skating champion and 2X Olympian proudly introduced his recently wedded boyfriend Victor Voronov attended the event as well as Sonja Morgan, one of the stars of the reality TV series THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW YORK were among a smattering of celebrities to support the cause.
Among the fashion beau monde to accompany Anna Wintour was VOGUE’s International Editor At Large Hamish Bowles, as well as renowned designer Michael Kors and his husband Lance Le Pere. At the time when the group photograph for the red carpet was being taken Ms. Wintour even remarked with candid humor that the press corps was extremely quiet as compared to the fashion brethren while gracefully holding her Alexander McQueen clutch.
It was truly a night to be remembered and have no doubt that more shall be accomplished by the incredible work of the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN organization.
-Richard Dupuy
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. For more information please visit www.hrc.org