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Obama call for gay rights raises hopes at Human Rights Campaign ball
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) ball Monday night was electric following President Obama’s inauguration address, where he called for equal treatment for gays and lesbians.
Hundreds of guests flocked to the Mayflower Hotel for the HRC's "Out for Equality" celebration following the day's inaugural ceremony to revel in what many viewed as a big day for the gay-rights movement.
“What a remarkable day this was,” said Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) — the first openly gay member of the Senate — from the stage. “I have to tell you I was so struck in the passage about going from Seneca Falls to Selma to Stonewall. All of us working so hard to advance true equality, but all woven into the same fabric of our American story. “
“There’s no doubt this White House gets it," said HRC vice president for communications and marketing Fred Sainz. "And this president is completely supportive of LGBT rights. Today’s speech is rhetorically incredibly important, but we can never forget there is so much work to be done before our community really achieves total equality. We’re making tremendous progress, but the road ahead of us is long."
With musical performances, and the help of an open bar, the HRC crowd danced their way into the early morning hours. Broadway star Frenchie Davis also warmed up the audience with “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical “Rent.”
Five-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald then belted out musical theater classics along with a soulful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” as actress Kate Walsh looked on from the balcony. Then strolling on the stage and sporting a sleek, short afro haircut, actress Viola Davis introduced the headliner for the night, 80’s pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
Dressed in a leather jacket and lace bodice, Lauper kept the energy of the night going as she writhed on the stage and jumped up and down during “She Bop” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”
“This is fantastic,” said Texas native Laura Hernandez. “I mean the food, outstanding. Just logistics, we walked in and they seemed to have it all worked out. And they seem to handle this big crowd. We all seem to be flowing through and everyone looks to be having a good time. I know we are.”
Spotted mingling through the crowd: Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), MSNBC host Chris Matthews, Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), “Modern Family” actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D).
