Emmy award-winning actress Sharon Gless received the Triangle Square Pioneer Award for her advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community. TV Radio personality, producer, and Co-founder of Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation Leeza Gibbons received the Ron Gelb Gelb Community Service Award for her contributions to elder LGBT communities through her non-profit Leeza's Place. The event was held on October 11th 2009 at the Hancock Park Estate of Ms. Dayna Devon and Dr. Brent Moelleken.

"We are extremely grateful for the tremendous support of the community who came out to support Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing," said Mark Supper, Executive Director of Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing. "By providing high-quality affordable multi-cultural housing to low-income Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender elders, our donors can be assured that their support helps us to provide vital social services to some of the most vulnerable and under-served seniors in our community."

During the course of the afternoon's event entitled "Celebrating Equality's Pioneers," Leeza Gibbons delivered a very inspirational and empowering speech addressing the importance of care giving and the importance of providing compassionate services and care to our elders, who have contributed so tirelessly before us and shaped our society into the rich and diverse community we have today. Sharon Gless delivered a very heartfelt and moving speech as well as a call to action on the importance of taking care of our elders, and specifically our LGBT elders and the courage they have displayed through their actions, determination and revolutionary leadership. Entertainment was choreographed by Mental Head Circus and featured fashions by Andrew Christian.

  Numerous celebrities attended including:
 
  Lance Bass (Nsync)
  Robert Gant (Queer As Folk)
  Thomas Bierdz (Young & The Restless)
  Jonathan Bennett (Van Wilder 2)
  Frenchie Davis (American Idol)
  Dayna Devon (Extra)
  Brian Nolan (The Lair)
  Jennia Fredrique (Noah's Arc)
  Wes Ramsey (Latter Days, Charmed, CSI Miami)
  Calpernia Addams (Transamerican Love Story)
  Ben Patrick Johnson
  Doug Spearman (Noah's Arc)
  Thea Gill (Queer As Folk)
  Gale Harold (Queer As Folk, Desperate Housewives)
  Scott Lowell (Queer As Folk)
  Jesse Ferguson (Modern Family)
  Angela Featherstone (Exe's and Oh's)
  Amy Paffrath (E!)
  Drew Seeley (Another Cinderella Story)
  Gabrielle Anware (Burn Notice, The Tudors)
  Jonathan Bennett (Van Wilder, Mean Girls)
  Adam Shankman (Dir. Of Hairspray)
  Gilles Marini (Dancing with the Stars)
  Chuey Bravo (Chelsey Handler, E! Entertainment)
  Jason Steed (Noah's Arc)
  Kate Linder (Young & The Restless)
  Keri Lynn Pratt (Brothers & Sisters)
  Nick Verreos (Project Runway)
  Daryl Stephens (Noah's Arc)
  Dajuan Johnson (Pedro, MTV)
  Frenchie Davis (American Idol)
  Jennia Fredrique (Noah's Arc)
  Jonah Blechman (Another Gay Movie)
  JP Calderon (Survivor, Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency)
  Leila Arcieri (Daddy Day Care)
  Thomas Robert (CNN)
  Chaz Dean (Celebrity Hair Stylist)
 

This event was not only a chance for supporters of Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing to take part in an exceptional fund-raising event together, but it was an invitation to the community to celebrate and experience the magic of the nation's first affordable housing development providing vital housing and social support services to some of the nation's most vulnerable seniors.

Each year, as our senior population grows, countless low-income LGBT seniors are faced with the challenge of securing safe, permanent affordable housing and social services that address their specific concerns and meet their unique needs. The program is dependent on the contributions and support of the community, private foundations, donors and volunteers.

For photos from the afternoon, including red carpet images, please contact Rafael Cosio, Director of Development, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 323-957-7200

ABOUT GAY & LESBIAN ELDER HOUSING

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and operating high-quality affordable, multicultural housing developments which include a community space used to provide social and recreational services for GLBT older adults. Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment that supports the well-being of GLBT elders.

For more information about Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing, please visit www.gleh.org.

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing is a 501(c) 3 organization.

Source: Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing