To boot there were SHELTER posters all over the theatre and dear, wonderful photog Brian Putnam clearly was making sure they made it into a few shots as you can see!
Those in attendance included some of my absolutely favorite gay comics/out actors including Bruce Vilanch, Alex Mapa, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Ant, Chad Allen, Poppy Champlin, Carlease Burke, Andre Kelly, Billy Masters, J Karen Thomas and Collette Devine.
Bruce introduced the clip from Jason's show by saying Jason was out twenty years ago back when he didn't even know what it was like to be out.
"The gay community in Los Angeles in those days," Bruce quipped, "Was David Geffen's hot tub."
Lifeworks is a relatively new organization - a few years old - but very important. It places lgbt mentors with lgbt youth's.
The stars that turned out all echoed how imperative it is that we give back to our youth.
Ant said, "My only gay mentor as a child was in the center square!"
Jason commented, "If I had a gay mentor as a child I probably wouldn't have developed this desperate need for attention that brought me to show business. I'd probably be a well balanced human being and a doctor."
Suzanne Westenhoefer also had something to say about lgbt mentors, "Fine. That's great for them, but what about us back in the day? We had no mentors! We had to find our way to the gay bars by ourselves!"
The night included a wonderful VIP party sponsored by Tommy Bahama (with a tasty little gift bag full of rum!), a preview of Jason's show (which brought the crowd to their feet with applause. It was really sweet!), and performances by Alec Mapa, Suzanne Westenhoefer and Wendy Liebman.
If you get or know how to get here!, Jason's show is currently playing so catch it! For more info, click here.
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