On Wednesday, actress
Mary Louise Parker (above) helped
Gay Men’s Health Crisis—one of the original AIDS services organizations—usher in its 30th year with a gala benefit at New York’s Gotham Hall. Guests including Parker, GMHC director
Dr. Marjorie Hill, performer
Harry Belafonte, former NYC mayor
David Dinkins, designer
Isaac Mizrahi, actors
BD Wong and
T. Oliver Reid, Glamour publisher
William Wackermann, Bumble and bumble president
Peter Lichtenthal and, yes, GMHC founder
Larry Kramer enjoyed a video greeting by
Ellen Degeneres and a sit-down dinner prepared by renowned Butter chef
Alexandra Guarnaschelli, and helped cheer on honorees
the Rudin Family, Gill Foundation president
Timothy Sweeney and
Duane Reade, the corporate sponsor for
AIDS Walk New York (which benefits GMHC).
Click through for more images from GMHC’s 30th Anniversary Dinner
Photos courtesy GMHC/Starworks Group
samo
Why is a straight WOMAN hosting a benefit for the gay MENS health crisis? I’ve never understood gay mens obsession with women either get a sex change to become one or man up
Peter the Piolet
@samo: I believe it’s because Mary Louise Parker was in “Longtime Companion”, the first mainstream movie to ever deal with AIDS. It came out during the crisis, quite a risky role for her to take on. Also, I could be mistaken, but I believe the GMHC started out as just for gay men, but eventually expanded to anybody after the epidemic proved it didn’t discriminate against anyone.
It’s kind of sad that you have to get all pissy about a female hosting a ceromony remembering the darkest time in gay history.
samo
Well I’ve never heard of that movie must have been before my time (I’m 23) its good that she’s an ally but are you telling me they couldn’t find a gay man to host it?
Mike
Samo you’re 23, and so you’re an adult but a young one and maybe not as aware as you could be of the vital importance of allies when the health crisis of AIDS began. These are people who cared for those in our community who were dying and considered by many too be “untouchable.” Also, GMHC doesn’t just fight AIDS among gay men – but all those afflicted. While I, too, believe gay visibility is important, and I also came up after the epoch of the AIDS crisis, I honor allies such as Mary Louise Parker, she has tackled numerous roles in groundbreaking queer cinema.
Though I’ll take Matt Bomer any day . . .
QJ201
@samo: Clearly you know nothing about GMHC. Yes it was started by gay men, but LONG ago expanded its services to all people with HIV.
Plankton Menace
Thank you, Ms. Parker, for taking time out of your busy professional schedule to add your voice and your presence to an important event such as this. Organizations like this need the support from all parts of the society, and you are drawing attention to the cause, as well as generating much needed financial contributions. Thanks again.
1equalityUSA
Even the President of the United States ignored the AIDS crisis. At the height of the AIDS crisis, the older nurses who didn’t retire out or transfer off of the unit were brave enough to stay and fight. At this point we weren’t sure if it was going to mutate into an airborne form of virus. These older nurses would go on their lunch hour to the church down the block and pray. I remember GMHC being instrumental to our fight. We were inundated and at full capacity. Ms. Parker is a class act and I thank you for remaining interested in this issue.
DenverBarbie
Mary Louise Parker has been in a host of gay films, some of which dealt explicitly with AIDS. Apart from the aforementioned Long Time Companion, she was in Angels in America, Saved!, and Howl. There is no denying that our causes are hers, as well.
Not to mention, she’s totally fierce and gorgeous. Thanks for using your fame for good, Ms. Parker!
David Ehrenstein
@samo: Turn in your Gay Card, Samo.
Cyn
Samo, that’s a rather bigoted attitude. The whole we are the same thing really is that we are the same.
And darn, I wanted to see Alex and the dinner!