LA Gay & Lesbian Center raises $625,000

It was 10 days ago that I attended the LA Gay & Lesbian Center’s Vanguard Awards.

I’m happy to report that a fair amount of money was raised during the event for this very important place that offers the nation’s most comprehensive range of services for LGBT people.

The Center raised $650,000 at its Nov. 9 gala at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

It was at the event that Center CEO Lorri L. Jean announced plans to raise $25 million for “an LGBT campus, the likes of which have never been seen before” across the street from the Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza on McCadden Place.

Honorees that night included out NBA player Jason Collins, who was awarded the National Vanguard Award; Netflix, honored with the Corporate Vanguard Award, accepted by VP of Original Programming Cindy Holland; and Xiaogang Wei, founder of China’s first AIDS Walk, recipient of the International Vanguard Award.

In celebration of emerging leaders in the LGBT community, Joe Lorenzo received the 2013 State Farm® Good Neighbor Award for his leadership as a member of the Center’s Young Professional Council and for his years of volunteerism and support for the Center.

Lance Bass presented the award to Jason Collins, Scandal’s Dan Bucatinsky presented Xiaogang Wei with his award and Cindy Holland accepted Netflix’s award with the support of the “Orange is the New Black” cast, including Uzo Aduba, Lea DeLaria, Michael Harney, Taryn Manning, Dascha Polanco, Pablo Schreiberba and Samira Wiley.