With only a matter of days, the 2010 Black Tie Dinner organizers pulled together a party at Park Place Motorcars Dallas to announce the headliners for its mega-November 6th event at the Sheraton Dallas. The reason for the expediency? They had just finalized negotiations with “the talent.” Why the ink was hardly dry on the contracts!
With more than 350 guests sipping Grey Goose Vodka cocktails and champagne, it was announced that Wisconsin’s Second District Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (pictured) will be the keynote speaker. She is the “first out lesbian and the first openly-gay, non-incumbent elected to Congress.”
The author of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, Congresswoman Baldwin helped lead the successful effort to enact the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.
“Congresswoman Baldwin is a true friend inside the Beltway,” said Ron Guillard, co-chair of the dinner. “She is using her influence to move us closer to equal rights for GLBT Americans. She has been an advocate and a role model for many who face obstacles in achieving their dreams.”
Also announced was the recipient of this year’s Black Tie Dinner Media Award. It will go to country/western singer/songwriter Chely Wright (pictured), whose book Like Me was just released in May.
Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair Nan Arnold (pictured) praised Wright for her courage saying, “The reaction from her fans and others has been overwhelmingly positive. Chely’s decision to live openly as a lesbian is creating an opportunity for the voices of acceptance and equality to be heard.”
Presenting Chely with the award will be Mitchell Gold Company Chairman/Founder Mitchell Gold, who is also founder of Faith in American, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “educating people about how religion-based bigotry is used to justify discrimination against gay people.”
Begun in 1982, Black Tie Dinner has raised almost $14 million for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender supportive organizations.
The announcement party was underwritten by Merrill Lynch — The Meyer Group with the helpof Park Place Motorcars Dallas, Central Market, Grey Goose Vodka, Ben E. Keith Beverage Co., Moet Chandon, Beau Bumpas Photography and DJ MicahB.
Toni says
It was a great party! Thanks for the coverage and thanks to all the wonderful contributors and attendees who helped make this party such a success!!