2012 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Los Angeles Gala and Awards

Equality for All was the theme at the 2012 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Los Angeles Gala and Awards, known as one of their prestige and biggest fundraiser event in Los Angeles, CA.

Once again The Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Steering Committee held on Saturday, March 17th, their 2012 Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Dinner Gala and Awards, an unforgettable event that was held at Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott L.A. Live inside the Diamond Ballroom located at 900 West Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles, California 90015 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The event was hosted by Chelsea Handler.

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and his wife Kathleen, and Academy Award Winning actress Charlize Theron received HRC’s Ally for Equality Award. There was a special appearance by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and actor Joe Manganiello. The Ally for Equity Award, is to recognize the outstanding efforts of those outside of the LGBT community who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people.

When Joe Solmonese, President of HRC was introduced, he received an outstanding ovation from every one in the room. Also incoming HRC President Chad Griffin, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Joe Manganiello, Ross Mathews, Michael Fassbender, Academy Award Winner Actress Charlize Theron, Chris and Kathleen Matthews spoke at the event.

The event featured a red carpet arrivals, silent auction, dinner, show, in action video presentations of Charlize Theron, Chris and Kathleen Matthews and awards presentation, including at conclusion of event a gift bag from various business sponsors. Ticket prices were from $275 for Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner up to $400 for Cocktail Reception, Preferred Gala Dinner Seating.

The 2012 Awards Committee Event Co-Chairs were Sepi Ghafouri and Joel Dessaules and some of the HRC LA Gala and Awards Committee members that worked to make this event possible were Andy Arnold, David Steiman, Pearson Brown, Andy Gelb and Ted Holmquist, Jessica Bair. Afer the event, the afterparty was held at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, gLAnce Wine Bar.
About The HRC Los Angeles Gala: The HRC Los Angeles Gala is one of the largest LGBT fundraising events in Southern California, drawing more than 1,000 guests in past years, including national LGBT leaders in entertainment, community service, business and politics. For more information visit http://www.hrcladinner.com/

About The Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Steering Committee: The Los Angeles Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign is a diverse volunteer group of individuals working each and every day to bring the mission of HRC to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender and straight-supportive people in this area.

About The Human Rights Campaign: 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 visit http://www.hrc.org/ 

Sources: Diversity News Magazine, Examiner.com, Diversity News Publications, Diversity News TV, Examiner.com.

Photos credit to: HRC Los Angeles Facebook
 Editor’s Note: Article first published on Examiner.com on March 22, 2012.

About Esteban "Steven" Escobar

Executive Editor In Chief, Director of Public/Media Relations & Community Affairs, Sales, Reporter, Webmaster & Graphic Designer Specialist. About Esteban “Steven” Escobar: Esteban A. Escobar (born in El Salvador, Central America on September 6th) is an Award Winning American (Journalist, reporter, editor, columnist, writer, producer, director, publicist, radio personality, accounts receivable specialist, humanitarian and philanthropist). Esteban is known as Steven Escobar. He is the Executive Editor-In-Chief of Diversity News Magazine, an online & special print consumer news magazine that is visited by close to two million visitors a month while growing each day. Esteban “Steven” Escobar is also Producer, Director of Diversity News TV, the host of Diversity News Radio, on Air with Steven Escobar and the President of Diversity News Publications, a news/entertainment multimedia firm in Hollywood, CA. Steven Escobar owns E.E.Enterprises and an affiliate of The Diversity News Publications Family of Companies. Steven Escobar is also the official Hollywood and Los Angeles County Events Examiner for Examiner.com and contributor for Yahoo.com distributed via Yahoo Voices. Steven Escobar also gives back to the community by helping charities, and since 2003 to the present, he has been raising money and awareness for AIDS Walk LA benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles. Also in 2011 Steven Escobar raised money and awareness for The Life Group LA and volunteered for Exotifit For Humanity and The Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Steering Committee. Steven was nominated for The Shorty Awards 2011 and the People’s Choice Fan Award 2012. In 2012 Steven Escobar receives the Humanitarian Award at the 2012 International Noble Awards. Also on June 2, 2012 Steven Escobar Received the Community and Humanitarian Services Award at Kayamanan ng Bayan for all his contributions to the Filipino American community in Southern California. On 12-12-12 Steven Escobar received Award for Most Fascinating Person of the Year 2012. On 2-22-2013 Steven Escobar is nominated for a 2013 EOTM Award (Entrepreneurs on the Move) for Outstanding Journalist and on April 25, 2013 receives nomination for 2013 EOTM Award for Outstanding Internet Radio. On April 4, 2013 Steven Escobar receives award for Diversity News TV “Best B-Roll." Yahoo.com names Steven Escobar the Hot 500 contributors during the month of March 2012 of Yahoo! Contributor Network. Steven Escobar currently resides in Los Angeles County in the City of Hollywood, CA. For more information visithttp://www.stevenescobar.diversitynewspublications.com, http://www.stevenescobar.blogspot.com or his IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4164655/

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Chelsea Handler To Host Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Gala March 17, 2012

Chris & Kathleen Matthews and Charlize Theron to Receive Ally for Equality Awards. Special guests include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Actor Joe Manganiello.

On Wednesday, February 29, 2012 The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced the line-up for its 2012 Los Angeles Gala on Saturday March 17 at the Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott in Los Angeles.  Chelsea Handler will host the event where MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and wife Kathleen, and actress Charlize Theron will each receive HRC’s Ally for Equality Award.  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and actor Joe Manganiello will make special appearances.

HRC will present its Ally for Equity Award, which recognizes the outstanding efforts of those outside of the LGBT community who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people, to three honorees this year.  Chris Matthews, who has hosted hard-hitting debates challenging Prop 8 on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, his wife Kathleen Matthews, Executive VP, Global Communications & Public Affairs at Marriott International, Inc., who has lead Marriott in its policies of LGBT inclusion, and actress Charlize Theron, who has forsworn marriage until the law recognizes the right of all couples to marry, will receive the award for their long-time support of the LGBT community.

“The leaders who will be honored at the Los Angeles Gala have used their platforms to advance equality for LGBT people across the country and around the world,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “Their actions have made equality a mainstream value.  We appreciate and honor their support.”

As mayor of the nation’s second largest city, Antonio Villaraigosa is a supporter of LGBT equality.  Mayor Villaraigosa publicly supports marriage equality and has called for the overturn of Proposition 8, which repealed marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples in the Golden State.

“Mayor Villaraigosa has been a friend to the LGBT community for many years,” added Solmonese.  “With the battle to bring marriage equality back to California heating up, we look forward to continuing our work with him.  He is not only a leader in the fight for equality in Los Angeles, but across the country.”

The HRC Los Angeles Gala is one of the largest LGBT fundraising events in Southern California, drawing more than 1,000 guests in past years, including national LGBT leaders in entertainment, community service, business and politics.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or purchase tickets go to www.hrcladinner.com

Sources: hrcladinner.com, Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Steering Committee
Photo credit to: Wikipedia

Editor’s Note: Our own Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban Escobar aka Steven Escobar to volunteer for the 2nd time at the HRC Gala.

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Chad Griffin Named Human Rights Campaign Organization’s President

On Friday, March 2, 2012 The Human Rights Campaign announced that Chad H. Griffin was appointed as the next president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, by the organization’s Board of Directors. Griffin, a national communications and policy strategist, is widely credited for being the mastermind behind the federal lawsuit to overturn California’s Proposition 8, which has now been ruled unconstitutional by two federal courts.

Griffin’s appointment follows an extensive six month search by the board that included the consideration of over one hundred diverse and extremely well-qualified candidates from the worlds of business, academia and activism. Griffin will assume his new responsibilities on June 11, 2012. Current HRC president Joe Solmonese will continue to lead the organization until that time.

The founding partner of strategic communications and campaign firm, Griffin|Schein, Griffin has taken on entrenched, well-financed interests like Big Tobacco, Big Oil and the far right, and shaped national policy debates around equal rights, clean energy, universal health care, stem cell research, and early childhood education. He has also led groundbreaking ballot initiative campaigns including the largest ballot initiative ever recorded, Proposition 87: California’s Clean Alternative Energy Initiative; the Proposition 10 campaign, which generates $600 million a year for early childhood education; and Proposition 71, which secured billions of dollars for stem cell research despite the Bush Administration ban.

Griffin is a founding board member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), the sole sponsor of the Prop. 8 lawsuit.  He is personally responsible for recruiting the legal dream team of Theodore Olson and David Boies to successfully argue the case. Griffin will remain on the board of directors of AFER.

A veteran of the Clinton White House communications team, and a native of Arkansas, Griffin was highly motivated by young people in taking this new endeavor. “All over this country in big cities and small towns, there are families and young people who long to be accepted for who they are, and who want be treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else,” said Griffin. “I’m honored by the board’s confidence in my ability to lead HRC. While there’s no doubt that we’ve made tremendous progress on the road to equality, we must not forget that millions of LGBT Americans still lack basic legal protections and suffer the consequences of discrimination every day. Today’s generation of young people, and each generation hereafter, must grow up with the full and equal protection of our laws, and finally be free to participate in the American dream. As HRC president, I’ll approach our work with a great sense of urgency because there are real life consequences to inaction.”

HRC Co-Chair Tim Downing and HRC Foundation Co-Chair Sandra Hartness spoke on behalf of their colleagues on the Board of Directors, “We’re ecstatic to have someone of Chad’s caliber as our next president. His superior credentials and achievements, both as a visionary and strategist, make him uniquely qualified to lead this organization forward. Chad has a proven track record of consistently delivering results during his career. That’s something that our community rightly expects and deserves.”

With over a million members and supporters, HRC works to secure equal rights for LGBT individuals and families at the local, state and federal levels by mobilizing grassroots supporters, lobbying elected officials, proactively educating and changing the hearts and minds of fair-minded Americans, and investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials. Founded in 1980, HRC seeks to improve the lives of LGBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs.

HRC consists of two separate non-profit organizations: the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on research, advocacy and education and the Human Rights Campaign, a 501(c)(4) organization that focuses on lobbying Congress, state and local officials for support of pro-LGBT bills, and mobilizing grassroots action amongst its members. The combined annual budget of both organizations was approximately $40 million in 2011.

Professional colleagues and friends have been unanimous in their praise of Griffin’s appointment (some of them are):

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

“I congratulate Chad Griffin on his appointment as the new President of HRC. I’m confident Chad will continue to provide the strong leadership that HRC has become known for here in Washington. I’m proud to count myself as a strong supporter of issues important to the LGBT community and look forward to working with Chad and HRC to advance these issues.”

Julian Bond, Chairman Emeritus, NAACP:

“Chad Griffin is a great choice – he is a major leader in the fight for equality. HRC has staged a coup!”

Anthony Romero, Executive Director, ACLU:

“Chad’s appointment to the Human Rights Campaign comes at a historic time for LGBT equality.  Chad is exactly the right person to lead the organization at this incredible time.  He has courage, passion, dynamism and a willingness to push tough issues forward in a thoughtful and strategic manner.”

Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles:

“Congratulations to Chad Griffin! There is no better person than Chad to take the helm of the Human Rights Campaign. Chad has proven he is a bold, insightful leader, and that is why I honored him with the Dream of Los Angeles Award during the City of Los Angeles’ first ever LGBT Heritage Month last year. I have every confidence that his fearless, deft and innovative approach to politics and problem solving will ensure HRC continues to lead the way.”

About The Human Rights Campaign (HRC):
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.

Sources: http://www.hrc.org, & LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Facebook
Photo credit to: http://www.hrc.org

Editor’s Note: Here at Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications we want to congratulate Chad Griffin and to wish him the best with HRC. Also thank you to Joe Solmonese for leading the organization for many years.

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About Diversity News Magazine: Diversity News Magazine is an independent multi-media outlet own by Minority-Owned Business who works with everyone and it is published by Diversity News Publications. Diversity News Magazine executive editor-in-chief is Esteban Escobar aka Steven Escobar an award winning honored and respected Journalist. Diversity News Magazine is a consumer news magazine covering news, entertainment, features, awards, sports, events and much more. DiversityNewsMagazine.com, an online & special print consumer news magazine that is visited by more than two million visitors a month, it is another venue for advertisers to showcase their products, brands or services on the classified and display pages. The purpose of the magazine is to educate and inform the diverse community worldwide. It focuses on local, national and international news, entertainment, features, sports and more importantly, newsworthy items that would be of interest to our diverse cultures. For more information visit Diversity News Magazine at http://www.diversitynewsmagazine.com/

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