The LA LGBT Vanguard Awards: A night to remember

Lesbian News was in Los Angeles last September 24 to attend the LA LGBT Vanguard Awards and the event was definitely a night to remember.

As part of their 3-day celebration, the LA LGBT Center marked its 47th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, with LN as one of their media partners.

The Vanguard Awards honors invited guests for their “courage, compassion, and tenacity” in pushing for positive change in the world.

Guests of the LA LGBT Vanguard Awards

There were three award-recipients that night.

Two-time Emmy Award winner Julie Bowen, star of the award-winning ABC comedy Modern Family, presented the Vanguard Award to partners Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita.

Ferguson is Bowen’s co-star in Modern Family, while Mikita founded Hawkins Mikita, a social impact firm.

The couple created Tie The Knot in 2012, a company that designs limited bow ties. The proceeds from this non-profit company go to support LGBT advocacy groups around the world.

“I’ve always been someone who has been very empathetic of– specifically– the LGBT community, because that’s my community,” Ferguson told Michigan Avenue about his activism.

“I certainly had my own struggles with coming out as a teen; to be able to give back, and sort of give voice to a generation, and maybe be a voice for people that I didn’t necessarily have when I was a kid is very important to me,” he added.

Meanwhile, multiple medal-winner and Olympian swimmer Greg Louganis presented the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award to fellow Olympian athlete Amini Fonua.

A two-time Olympic swimmer, Fonua represented the island nation of Tonga as its flag-bearer during the 2012 London Games.

LA LGBT Vanguard Awards entertainment

More than 1,200 people attended the premier LGBT charity event for cocktails, dinner, and entertainment.

Likewise, HBO– the event’s Presenting Sponsor– donated the HBO Party Pavilion that was set up on top of the iconic Pacific Design Center fountain.

“We’re so happy that we could keep our tent up for an additional week. After all, nobody can party like this community,” HBO SVP Jeffrey Guthrie joked.

There was a special performance by Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney, and the two also emceed for the ceremony. Debby Holiday and DJ Asha provided the music.

For the fundraising part, there was a raffle, a silent auction, and a live auction.

Aside from the Gala, there was also a Launch Party at Hamilton-Selway Fine Art, and a Brunch at The Abbey in West Hollywood.

For more pictures of the LA LGBT Vanguard Awards, check out this month’s latest issue of Lesbian News.