Chaz Bono to Be Honored at L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's 40th Anniversary Gala

Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka Also to Be Honored at Celebration, Hosted by Leslie Jordan, Featuring Jane Lynch

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Writer, actor, musician and transgender activist Chaz Bono (Dancing with the Stars) will be honored at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's 40th Anniversary Gala & Auction, hosted by Leslie Jordan (The Help) and featuring Jane Lynch (Glee) on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. As was previously announced, Neil Patrick Harris and partner David Burtka will also be honored.

Bono, who will be honored with the Center's Board of Directors award, has been a trailblazer in transgender activism, publicly sharing his experience transitioning to male in the documentary Becoming Chaz. Since 1995, he has been a dedicated activist in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, having served as a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign and Entertainment Media Director for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

"Chaz has been a trailblazer in our community for many years, bravely speaking his truth and working to make our movement stronger. He has continued that leadership since coming out as a transgender man. No other person has done more than Chaz to promote visibility and understanding about the reality of transgender people," says Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. "His courageous example is helping transgender youth and their families throughout the world. That's great progress not only for the LGBT community, but for society as a whole."

Emmy-winning stage and screen star Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and his partner, actor and chef David Burtka, will be honored at the gala with the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award, presented by Center board member Jane Lynch. Lynch was the recipient of the award last year.

One of the premier events for the LGBT community of Los Angeles, the gala begins with a chic cocktail reception and large silent auction featuring travel and dining packages and much more, followed by dinner and fabulous entertainment.

The gala will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12. The cocktail reception is at 6 p.m. with entertainment to follow at 8 p.m. Tickets for the gala are $300 for general admission or $400 for a VIP ticket. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, go to www.anniversarygala.org.

The Presenting sponsor is Wells Fargo. The Platinum sponsor is EMD Serono. Gold sponsors are the Anita May Rosenstein Foundation, Lab Corp., NBCUniversal, Nordstrom, SoCal Gas and South Coast Plaza. Silver sponsors are ABC Disney, Allstate, AT&T, Cadillac, City National Bank, CVS Caremark, Fox, DirecTV, the Lavender Caucus, Mark-Alan Harmon, Northrop Grumman, Paradigm, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Ralphs, US Bank, Verizon and OUT at Warner Bros. In-kind sponsors are Absolut, American Airlines, Frontiers magazine, Lesbian News, Rage and smartwater.

About the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
Since 1971 the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has been building the health, advocating for the rights and enriching the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Our wide array of services and programs includes: free HIV/AIDS care and medications for those most in need; housing, food, clothing and support for homeless LGBT youth; low-cost counseling and addiction-recovery services; essential services for LGBT-parented families and seniors; legal services; health education and HIV prevention programs; transgender services; cultural arts and much more. Visit us on the Web at: www.lagaycenter.org.

SOURCE L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center