My night at Los Angeles LGBT Center’s epic 50th anniversary Hearts of Gold celebration

This was truly a night to remember.

In case I don’t make it clear enough, I am so honored to be one of the nearly 800 employees at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. To be the writer-reporter for the Center’s Marketing & Communications department is such a privilege and a joy.

Last night my assignment was to conduct the rainbow carpet interviews at the Center’s absolutely epic, star-studded 50th anniversary celebration at the Greek Theatre. A gala dinner featuring US Congressman Adam Schiff and Center CEO Lorri L. Jean was followed by a concert and multi-media extravaganza starring Sia, Melissa Etheridge, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rufus Wainwright, Kathy Griffin, Jenifer Lewis, Bruce Vilanch, Ty Herndon, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Frankie Grande, Thelma Houston, Nico Santos, Hayley Kiyoko, and the cast of the TV hit Good Trouble.

Margaret Cho narrated huge chunks of the program and the appearances of founding Center Board Member John Platania and early volunteer staffer and board member Lillene Fifield were emotional highlights.

I’ll be posting more about this extraordinary night in the coming days but for now, I share with you some of the photos I managed to snap on the carpet between interviews.

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Got to interview a pair of national treasures tonight at the Greek Theatre. Was very moved by the commitment to the @lalgbtcenter shown by Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda who both took part in the Hearts of Gold 50th anniversary extravaganza. #lilytomlin #janefonda #lalgbtcenter #graceandfrankie

A post shared by Greg Hernandez (@greginhollywood) on Sep 22, 2019 at 2:01am PDT

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Was interviewing Kathy Griffin tonight on the rainbow carpet when Jenifer Lewis popped by. It was that kind of night at the @lalgbtcenter Hearts of Gold 50th anniversary show at the @greek_theatre @kathygriffin @jeniferlewisforreal #kathygriffin

A post shared by Greg Hernandez (@greginhollywood) on Sep 22, 2019 at 1:56am PDT

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@queereye stars @bobbyberk and @karamo at last night’s @lalgbtcenter Hearts of Gold 50th anniversary event. Karamo worked for the Center’s LifeWorks youth mentoring program for five years. #queereye #karamobrown #bobbyberk

A post shared by Greg Hernandez (@greginhollywood) on Sep 22, 2019 at 12:58pm PDT

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Brigitte Nielsen made quite an impression last night on the rainbow carpet of the @lalgbtcenter 50th anniversary Hearts of Gold extravaganza at @greek_theatre

A post shared by Greg Hernandez (@greginhollywood) on Sep 22, 2019 at 1:24pm PDT

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Some of my rainbow carpet shots from the @lalgbtcenter Hearts of Gold 50th anniversary celebration. I chatted with @hayleykiyoko @janefonda Lily Tomlin, @kathygriffin @jake.borelli @nicosantos @zekerchief @karamo @bobbyberk @Rufus wainwright and more and snapped some photos when I could. #lalgbtcenter

A post shared by Greg Hernandez (@greginhollywood) on Sep 22, 2019 at 1:53pm PDT