It was announced today that they will be joined in the cast by Jane Lynch, George Takei, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Martin Sheen and Christine Lahti.

Black, who won the Academy Award in 2009 for his screenplay for the film Milk, based 8 on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.

The performance will benefit the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER). A previous one-night benefit in New Yo starring Morgan Freeman, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow, and Cheyenne Jackson, among others, raised more than $1 million.

The Los Angeles performance will be directed by Rob Reiner.

Now they are going to be harder to find than a presidential candidate who will publicly support same-sex marriage!

George Clooney has agreed to play the role of one of the attorneys in the play about the Proposition 8 trial which will have a one-night only performance in March.

It’s expected to be a star-studded affair with Jane Lynch also possibly taking part, according to director Rob Reiner.

Read all about Clooney’s participation in my story for GayStarNews.com.

AfterElton.com notes that Trevor Live! has become Hollywood’s Cause Celebre and how great is that?

A benefit for The Trevor Project, which is dedicated to preventing suicide among LGBTQ youth, has got some big names behind it and they are needed with bullying remaining such a problem and some families still turning their backs on their own.

Last night, Lady Gaga was honored at the event held the Hollywood Palladium. It was indeed a star-studded affair that included performances by Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Mary J. Blige, Darren Criss, Kris Allen, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Queen Latifah, Amber Riley, Leann Rhimes, Barrett Foa, and Julianne Hough.

Harris tweeted of the experience: Had fun performing with @Davidburtka tonight at the @TrevorProject‘s Trevor Live. A powerful night. An amazing group of people.

Among the other stars on hand were Chris Colfer, Sean Hayes, Zachary Quinto, Kevin McHale, Matt Bomer, Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Duhamel, Fergie, Jane Lynch, Amber Heard, Eddie Cibrian, Harry Shum, Naya Rivera, Christina Hendricks, Jayma Mays, Ricki Lake, JC Chasez, Joe Manganiello, and many more.

Pictured here are Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Matt Bomer, and Zachary Quinto.

Go to Socialite Life to see more photos of the celebrity arrivals.

I was so happy to get the chance to chat with the couple on the red carpet prior to the show and wondered how they felt about getting an award for basically being themselves.

“There’s lots of Dan Choi’s around that do the heavy lifting,” said Neil. “We just get to go to the, you know, Farmer’s Market.”

“It’s flattering and it’s nerve-racking because we like to represent as we do individually but we don’t like to really be heralded for it,” he added. “And this [LGBT] community, unique to most, is filled with scrutiny when it comes to what you say and how you say it. So you find yourself having to be very hyper-aware of how you say things lest you ostracize yourself even further.”

Neil is so well-spoken and smart, it seems to me that he doesn’t make these kinds of missteps and on Saturday night, his speech was funny and well-received.

David told me: “We’re honored but there’s also this thing where we are looking at each other going, ‘Why are they picking us?’ I understand we’re in the public eye and we’re two gay men and we have kids. But we’re just living our lives, we’re having a good time.”

They’re having a good time onscreen as well these days. Neil, of course, has been a real bright spot in the Harold & Kumar movies and in the latest, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, is no exception.

Neil, once again, plays a fictionalized version of himself with this onscreen NPH being a real heterosexual pig always looking to get laid. In a wink to his very public relationship with Burtka, the couple appear in an absolutely hilarious scene where they can barely stand each other and are only pretending to be gay so that NPH can get more action with the ladies.

“It was great,” David said. “It was all Neil’s idea actually. Neil had his own kernel of an idea and he brought it to the creators and they expanded on it and it became real. I was very fortunate.”

Added Neil: “I don’t think they knew that David was as good an actor as he actually is so when I let them know that he’s like theater Albee big man on campus as far as acting goes, then they were willing to write the role to be bigger.”

They should have written both roles bigger still since the screen really came alive whenever Neil was on it. More starring film roles for this man, please!

Neil Patrick Harris

“We are so honored to be here on the 40th anniversary of this incredible and important institution,” Harris said before slipping into humor and adding: “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 40 years since The Center first invented gays and lesbians. And we are so happy that they did.”

David, taking on the straight man role if you will, added: “More to the point, we are extraordinarily grateful that we are able to stand here today as a same-sex couple with children and not feel like we are some kind of freak show or some kind of government experiment gone awry.”

Neil then paid tribute to other famous gay parents before them like Dan Savage and Cynthia Nixon, BD Wong, Cat Kora. Ricky Martin, Sara Gilbert, Clay Aiken, Rosie O’Donnell, among others who he described as “courageous people who stood tall long before it became acceptable to do so.”

“The fact is, David and I don’t even consider ourselves true activists. There’s a lot of other people who do that heavy lifting. Sometimes we choose to raise our voices so that the world can hear us but other times we just, frankly, we just want to curl up at home and be a family together.”

Neil pointed out that that is part of the great change The Center has brought about in the last 40 years: “They, and all of you, are helping create a world where, for the first time, for gays and lesbians being married and being a parent doesn’t have to be about making a statement. Instead, it can just be about living our lives.”

It was Jane Lynch who presented the award to Harris and Burtka who received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Westin Boneventure Hotel in downtown LA.

“As a couple they are beyond extraordinary and created the most stunning gay American family portrait,” said Lynch. “Now, it doesn’t hurt that the babes are cuter than Bradjelinas. They really are  – Gideon and Harper – they’re just delicious. Of course it doesn’t hurt that David and Neil themselves – and I quote from Glee when I say – are gorgeous, easy on the eyes, handsome, and they’;e gorgeous. To much of the world they are a remarkable family and they stand as a role model for young people. This is particularly important for kids out there who fear for their own futures because of their own sexual orientation…. The role that David and Neil’s family play in showing the world what our families can is so important. … We are here to thank David and Neil for deciding to let the world see how lovely they are. Thank you David and Neil for putting beautiful face on Amnerica’s notion of what a gay family looks like.”

David Arquette was sweet and funny as he presented his fellow Dancing With the Stars alum Chaz Bono with the Board of Directors Award.

“We’re all in such awe of the bravery that you showed in stepping up into the world and showing them what it’s like to be a transgender person in this world. You did it with dignity, you did with such strength.”

Arquette pointed out that Chaz’s actions hit home on a personal level because of his transgender sister, Alexis Arquette.

“I grew up sharing a room with Alexis, my sister, who we all love. I saw how difficult it was for her to come to terms with that, to feel comfortable in her own skin.”

Getting back to Chaz, Arquette said his DWTS experience was “amazing” and “important for you to show the world that it’s normal to stand up there. The effects of that will shine on in the future. It’s just the beginning.”

Chaz, the only child of Cher and the late Sonny Bono, took the stage to a standing ovation and said: “It’s really an honor for me to receive this award tonight. I’ve been doing stuff for The Center since I came out the first time which was in 1995. It’s just such an amazing organization.”

“For me, growing up, I didn’t know about being transgender. I didn’t know that it was an option. I did know about gay people and I grew up in a home with so many beloved gay and lesbian friends so it made it so much easier for me the first time I came out because I had these positive, strong gay role models. When I discovered I was really transgender, I felt like my world was going to fall apart. It took me over 10 years to come up with the courage that I needed in order to start transitioning and finally be myself. [applause]. One of my goals since starting my transition – and believe me when I say if I could have done it privately, I probably would have done it years ago – the idea of having to transition in front of the whole world was something that really terrified me. So when I finally did get the courage to do it, I wanted to take the opportunity to try and do it in a way where I could educate the public and shine light on what it means to be transgender. So many people just don’t have any information about that and that includes the gay and lesbian community. We say LGBT and it kind of roles off our tongue but the B and the T are kind of like the stepkids at another table. I’d like to challenge everybody here tonight to really take the time to learn a little bit more about what it means to be transgender, how it’s different from sexual orientation and some of the struggles that we go through.”

Chaz was taken on a tour last week of The Center and when he saw all of the services available there for the trans community and finding that out, he said, “made this award even sweeter for me.”

“There’s an opportunity for transgender Angelinos to really get the services and support that they need and that’s really hard sometimes for people to find and when you don’t get the support that you need as a transgender person, really horrible things happen.”

Actor-writer-director Peter Paige, best known for his role as Emmett on Showtime’s Queer as Folk, is a member of the center’s board of directors and got choked up when he shared with the crowd why The Center means so much to him.

“I know only too well the power and importance of The Center in transforming one’s life,” Paige told the crowd. “When I came to LA some 15 years ago, I was a scared and lost and lonely and broke young gay man. And somebody suggested that I might be able to find some help at The Center. I made my way in and I started seeing a therapist there for $10 a week. It was all I could afford and it was all I needed. Every time I tell the story, I get choked up. There is a direct line from that scared young man to the man that is standing before you and it goes right through The Center.”

“I was with a couple of friends recently and one of them asked me, ‘What do you think the most important service that the center offers?’ I thought for moment and said: ‘It’s whatever one you need. If you’ve recently been diagnosed HIV-positive, it’s medical services. If you’re a victim of domestic violence in your home, it’s domestic violence prevention. If you’re trying to get clean from crystal meth, it’s addiction recovery. If you’re elderly and gay and isolated, it’s senior services. If you’ve been kicked out of your home for being gay, it’s our transitional living facility. For the last 40 years, The Center has always stepped up when confronted with a crisis and I am proud to say we continue to do it today.”

The Center’s CEO Lorri L. Jean (pictured with Burtka and Harris) has been known to give stirring speeches but on this occasion, she was at her best. She paid tribute to those who laid the groundwork in the early days. While she educated the crowd about all that had been done, she also reminded them of all that is left to do.

“365 days a year, our community turns to the center for help.” she said. “So, as long as we are treated as second class citizens, as long as HIV and AIDS continue to be on the rise in out community, as long as LGBT seniors need outside care, as long as misguided parents kick their LGBT kids out, as long as any LGBT person feels ashamed because of their gender identity or for who they love, the center will be here.”

“Over the decades, we have held true to the vision of taking care of our own and fighting for our place in society.”

The gala also included performances by Miss Coco Peru (aka Clinton Luepp) and Jennifer Lee Warren who sang a rousing rendition of I Am What I Am. Four individuals who have benefited from The Center’s services – a transgender teen, a lesbian who was homeless, an HIV-positive man, and a man – now the father of four adopted sons with his partner of 25 years – who talked about being a scared homeless teen more than 30 years ago and being taken care of by The Center.

Leslie Jordan hosted the evening and had several costume changes to reflect each decade of the center’s existence. At one point, he walked out in a giant rainbow afro wig as a tribute to the 70s and said: “In the 70s, I had red hair and I grew it really long and I wore platform shoes. I looked like a rock and roll troll dog.”

Later, in a nod to the 90s, he came out dressed as Madonna during her Truth or Dare period complete with the pointy breasts: “The really sad part about all of this,” Leslie said, “is that this is not even the lowest I’ve gone.”

The red carpet scene before the dinner was about as star-studded as I can ever remember. It was also very orderly and civilized with the stars making time to chat with everyone. I missed the opportunity to chat up Mr. Arquette who I’m just crazy about but in the coming days, I will be sharing with you my chats with Chaz, Neil & David, Miss Lynch, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Paige, Miss Peru, Meredith Baxter, Sara Gilbert, retired baseball pro Billy Bean, Chandler Massey, and Sean Maher. Also spotted on the red carpet were Mike Manning, Geri Jewell, and Karina Smirnoff.

But I’m most interested in the gays!

Among those representing the LGBT community were Tony winner Alan Cumming who is now starring each week on CBS’s The Good Wife and hunky Broadway star Nick Adams who is currently starring in Priscilla Queen of the Desert. (Bette is one of that show’s producers!)

To see more photos from the event, go to BroadwayWorld.com.

According to the Associated Press, Elton thanked Cuomo – who was seated in the audience – for “taking a stand in New York and making the dream of marriage equality a reality in the state.”

In July, New York became the sixth U.S. state to recognize same-sex nuptials and Cuomo was seen as instrumental in its passage.

Wednesday night was the 10th annual Enduring Vision gala for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and it raised $2 million.

Alec Baldwin, Jon Bon Jovi and Sarah Ferguson were among the celebrities in attendance.

It seems that every year I end up having such a wonderful time covering AIDS Walk LA that I quickly forget the nightmare it is to find parking. This year, I got lucky because a street space was open on Third Street at George Burns Drive by Ceders Sinai. That meant only a 25 minute walk to the opening ceremonies at Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente.

I checked in, found a place on the press risers to take photos from, and about 30 seconds later, Drew Carey was leading off the star-studded ceremony.

Literally, not a moment to spare.

Drew, who is far slimmer than we remember on his sitcom, was an outstanding choice to lead things off. He was heartfelt and grew emotional when he remembered a former co-worker who died from AIDS. He recalled this strong young man quickly deteriorate and remarked that he never wanted to see anyone else go through that.

West Hollywood Mayor John Duran shared with the crowd how he was diagnosed with the HIV virus back in 1986 and told to get his affairs in order because it wouldn’t be long. Thanks to breakthroughs in drug treatment, he and so many others are still alive and thriving.

The other mayor present, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villariagosa, was fired up and determined to get the crowd fied up. He succeeded when he remarked that the men of West Hollywood are “hot!”

True that!

NCIS star Pauley Perrette, a staunch supporter of LGBT causes, is beloved and appreciated for all that she does – which is a lot. She raised more money at this year’s walk than any other individual participant.

She took the stage with Barrett Foa of NCIS: Los Angeles and this delightful pair managed to name off all of the event’s corporate sponsors by incorporating their names into a a cute little story.

It was brilliant – and wise – since there’s nothing that brings an event to dead halt faster than a listing of corporate sponsors even though their participation is crucial.

Things really got lively when Carson Kressley, the Queer as Folk alum who is currently competing on Dancing With the Stars, took the stage with DWTS pro Louis Van Amstel. These two oughta put together a show and take it on the road.

They are very cute together and Louis [see him take his shirt off in earlier post] told everyone how well he thinks Carson is doing on DWTS and urged everyone to vote for his friend.

“You are the most entertaining [celebrity dancer] of all of them,” Louis said.

Carson’s fellow Queer Eye alum Jai Rodriquez shared the stage with Dot Marie Jones of Glee who took her shirt off after Drew Carey bid $500 for it! [See related post].

Raquel Castaneda of The Real L Word [pictured, left, with a crown-wearing Carson Kressley) also participated in the festivities but previously announced “celeb” LaToya Jackson was a no-show.

Sunday morning’s singing entertainment, Jenifer Lewis, has many rabid fans but this mega-talent is also keenly aware that there are folks who might not know who she is, despite her countless television and film roles. So, she let everyone know that she was the original Effie in the workshop version of Dreamgirls before the other Jennifers – Holliday and Hudson – got their hands on the role.

It is clear that Miss Lewis could have handled the showstopper And I’m Tellin You I’m Not Going. She has so pipes and she knows how to use them. She got the crowd pumped up early on with the upbeat Dig a Little Deeper, the song she originated in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.

Then she returned for a wondrous finale of You’ll Never Walk Alone, the song walkers are traditionally sent off into the streets to. John Schneider has sung it as this event as has Anika Noni Rose and many others. But, I promise you, no one has sung it which the conviction and power of Jenifer Lewis.

She was in New York in the 80s and said sadly, “I lost so many.”

I know so many of the walkers appreciated her energy as the began their six-mile journey. She kept saying to the crowd as she worked up to the last chorus: “I see you. You look so beautiful to me right now.”

I was standing maybe 10 feet from the stage so I’d watch Jenifer say that then look out at the crowd to see what she was seeing and it was indeed beautiful.

Things were moving along in a dignified fashion at this morning’s opening ceremonies of AIDS Walk LA until Dancing With the Stars pro Louis Van Amstel started a strip show.

Well, maybe it wasn’t really a strip show but he did show us some skin!

Louis, who took the stage with current DWTS contestant Carson Kressley, was merely modeling the T-shirt that AIDS walkers got if they raised more than $150 at today’s event.

Carson complimented Louis on his “spray tan” but the openly gay dancer and choreographer said he came about the shade naturally.

Mike Manning brought the T-Shirt out to Louis and it quickly was clear that the crowd wanted to see The Real World: DC alum take his off too.

Mike, honored last summer by LifeWorks for his volunteer work with LGBT youth, slipped out of his T-shirt and revealed a very nice torso – even nicer than Louis.

Okay, maybe it was a tie.

Drew Carey bid $500 and, yup, off came her T-shirt!

Love her fun spirit. She seems to be someone who had a terrific attitude before she became a bigger star and now she seems to really be enjoying the spotlight in a very spirited way.

I feel like I want to be her friend!

I’ll have much more from today’s AIDS Walk later today and tomorrow!

Have a nice walk everyone!

I’ll be covering opening ceremonies and have some posts later today.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and West Hollywood Mayor John J. Duran will speak about the current HIV/AIDS crisis in Los Angeles County and the vital work of lead beneficiary AIDS Project LA.

Confirmed celebrity guests include: Drew Carey, Raquel Castaneda (“The Real L Word”), Barrett Foa (“NCIS: Los Angeles”), La Toya Jackson, Dot Marie Jones (“Glee”), Carson Kressley, Mike Manning (“The Real World DC”), Pauley Perrette (“NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service”), Jai Rodriguez, and Louis Van Amstel (“Dancing with the Stars”).

Jenifer Lewis will perform “Dig a Little Deeper,” the song she originated in Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.” Lewis will close the Opening Ceremony with her performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Since 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has raised more than $69 million for HIV programs and services throughout Los Angeles County, and has grown into one of the largest AIDS fundraising events in the country. In 2010 alone, 30,000 participants, many of whom were members of 1,600 corporate and community teams, raised nearly $3 million for AIDS Project Los Angeles and 20 other AIDS service organizations. For more information, visit aidswalk.net.

Approximately 30,000 people are expected to fill the streets of West Hollywood on Sunday for the 27th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, the largest AIDS fundraiser in California.

If you are already walking or are sponsoring someone, good for you! And if you plan to be there on Sunday morning for the opening ceremonies, you will be in for a treat. I go every year and never fail to be moved by the speeches and am pretty much a weepy mess when the walkers are sent off on their journey to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s You’ll Never Walk Alone.

This year, the song will be performed by the incomparable Jenifer Lewis! I am a HUGE fan of this mega-talent who recently appeared on Broadway as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray. She has appeared in many films with my favorites being Meet the Browns and Dirty Laundry.

Other confirmed celebrity guests include: Drew Carey (“The Price Is Right”), Conchata Ferrell (“Two and a Half Men”), Barrett Foa (“NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service”), Dot Marie Jones (“Glee”), Carson Kressley (television personality and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant), Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman (“Raising Hope”), Louis Van Amstel (“Dancing with the Stars”) and Pauley Perrette (“NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigation Service”) who I’m pictured with below at the AIDS Walk in 2010.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and West Hollywood Mayor John J. Duran will speak about the current HIV/AIDS crisis in Los Angeles County and the vital work of lead beneficiary APLA.

Opening ceremonies will take place at West Hollywood Park: San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue.

For more information, go to AIDSWalk.net.

As was previously announced, Neil Patrick Harris and partner David Burtka will also be honored.

Bono will be honored with the Center’s Board of Directors award.

Says Center CEO Lorri L. Jean: “Chaz has been a trailblazer in our community for many years, bravely speaking his truth and working to make our movement stronger. He has continued that leadership since coming out as a transgender man. No other person has done more than Chaz to promote visibility and understanding about the reality of transgender people. His courageous example is helping transgender youth and their families throughout the world. That’s great progress not only for the LGBT community, but for society as a whole.”

The gala will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12. The cocktail reception is at 6 p.m. with entertainment to follow at 8 p.m. Tickets for the gala are $300 for general admission or $400 for a VIP ticket. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, go to www.anniversarygala.org.

It finally happened, officially, this week.

So the timing is perfect for the president, who is facing re-election, to make a return visit and once again address the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.

It was announced today announced that Obama will deliver the keynote address at the organization’s 15th Annual National Dinner on Saturday, October 1, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

“We are honored to share this night with President Obama who has a tremendous record of accomplishment for LGBT people,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “On the heels of the end to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ we look forward to celebrating our victories and redoubling our efforts for the fights that remain ahead.”

The event, which is expected to draw nearly 3,000 attendees, will be held at the Washington Convention Center.

More information is available at www.hrcnationaldinner.org.

When Neil Patrick Harris got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week, I thought how nice it was to have his longtime love David Burtka by his side.

Not that we’re not used to seeing this couple, parents of twins, on red carpets and out and about. Their high profile is such a boost for the LGBT community because they are showing the world, by just living their lives, how gays are really not that different from straights.

That’s why I’m so glad to learn that Neil and David will be honored at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s 40^th Anniversary Gala & Auction on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles.

They are the perfect pair to join the Center in celebrating “40 Years of Family” at the gala.

Neil and David are steadfast supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations, including the Center and have given generously to help LifeWorks, the Center’s youth development and mentoring program, thrive.

“We’re honored to be a part of this important celebration for the Center, which offers so many important services to LGBT youth and LGBT-parented families like ours,” Neil said in a statement. “The gala raises thousands of dollars to support services like meals and housing for homeless youth, a charter school for young people bullied and harassed in traditional schools, mentoring services and much more.”

Center CEO Lorri L. Jean said: “As a couple, Neil and David are respected and loved by the LGBT community. They are role models to many, especially our youth, for how to live openly, with honesty and integrity. And with their support over the years for many LGBT services organizations, they exemplify the Center’s mission of empowering, healing, advocating and leading in the LGBT community.”

One of the premier events for the LGBT community of Los Angeles, the gala begins with a chic cocktail reception and large silent auction featuring travel and dining packages and much more, followed by dinner and fabulous entertainment (with details to come soon at www.anniversarygala.org).

The gala will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12. The cocktail reception is at 6 p.m. with entertainment to follow at 8 p.m.  Tickets for the gala are $300 for general admission or $400 for a VIP ticket. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, go to www.anniversarygala.org.

It’s obvious why I loved to watch swimming champion Gary Hall Jr. compete in several Summer Olympics – the guy has such a great head of hair and a big toothy smile.

What I did not know, and am so happy to know now, is that Gary is an LGBT ally!

The winner of ten Olympic medals (5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), Gary will be among the up to 50 swimmers who will join Equality California on Sept. 24 for the Second Annual Swim for Equality off the coast of Malibu to raise funds for and awareness about the fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality in the state of California.

“Issues of LGBT equality hit particularly close to home, as I have friends who are LGBT, some of whom have been afraid to come out of the closet,” Gary said in a statement. “I see the work that Equality California is doing as so important to the welfare of my friends and all LGBT people.”

While Gary is straight, an openly gay former Olympian is also participating: Dan Veatch!

The oh-so-handsome Dan was a member of the United States team at the 1988 Olympics  in Seoul and finished seventh in the 200-meter backstroke, his specialist event. He won the 200 m backstroke at the Pan Pacific Games in Brisbane in 1987 and again in Tokyo in 1989. He pulled his hamstring just before the 200 m US Trials for the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Participants may register for the swim as individuals or as part of a team and commit to raising a minimum of $2000 per person to benefit Equality California. The Swim will be immediately followed by a Finish Line Pool Party Celebration at the home of Nathan Barr, True Blood music composer and OUT 100 recipient.

The swim will start at 7200 Westward Beach/Point Dume, Tower 1, Malibu. Finish at Zuma Lifeguard Headquarters, 30050 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. To be eligible, participants must be able to swim one mile comfortably in open water in 50 minutes or less and must have completed at least two open water swims. To register or for more information visit www.eqca.org/swim

My friend Mark and I attended The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s annual Simply diVine event in Beverly Hills Saturday night and the first thing we did was make a beeline to the Umami Burger booth.

The line was long and took about 20 minutes but it was well worth it!

Tasty!

Held each summer on the world famous Two Rodeo in Beverly Hills, this is an elegant event featuring delicacies from some of the city’s hottest restaurants and wine from some of the most popular wineries in California and beyond.

This year’s event drew more than 400 people and raised nearly $125,000 for Center services.

Pictured above are co-chairs, Center board member David Bailey and Susan Feniger, a celebrity chef whose many television appearances include a turn on Top Chef Masters. Feniger is the owner of participating restaurants STREET and Border Grill; she is also a Center board member.

Center CEO Lorri L. Jean addressed the crowd and actress Kim Coles (pictured at the bottom of this post) was a delightful celebrity auctioneer. It was also great for me to hang out with my pal Jim Key (pictured with me, above) who is head of communications for The Center.

Participating restaurants included: STREET and Border Grill, Jar, The Gorbals, AOC, Lucques, Tavern and Fabiolus Café.

Coco refers to herself as a “low-end celebrity drag queen” but the truth is, this is a brilliant performer with impeccable timing and lots of heart.

Last May, I attended opening night of Coco’s latest show There Comes a Time and she talked a little bit about getting older. Since today is Coco’s birthday, here are some of her thoughts about the passage of time:

“Let’s face it, I feel old. Time rolls on … Rolls on like a f*****g steamroller. Some of us get more steamrolled than others.”

Coco also has trouble with all the modern technology from iPads to DVRs: “The Wizard of Oz came on once a year and that’s when you watched it and if you missed it, well tough sh*t Dorothy!”