By Elva Ramirez Each year, Out magazine lauds 100 top men and women for their achievements furthering the LGBT causes. This year’s theme was “celebration,” which editor-in-chief Aaron Hicklin said was a direct response to the very tough year the LGBT community has endured, from teen bullying to the fight for marriage equality to the ongoing battle over “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” “What we wanted to do this year was accentuate the positive,” Hicklin said. “It’s so easy to be cynical.” The 16th annual list paid homage to three high points in gay culture: Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, the Stonewall Riots and the Studio 54-era. During a time of strife, it is important to remember lessons from past struggles, Hicklin said. “Often when you’re succeeding the voices that oppose you are loudest,” he said. “That’s sort of what we have to remember.” Even amid the flowing Belvedere cocktails, guests were quick to switch topics from banter to serious politics. Also present at the party was the next First Girlfriend of New York, Ms. Sandra Lee, companion of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Top of mind for her that night was moving New York towards marriage equality. “It’s the right thing to do,” she said. “The only thing that matters is that we’re all happy, we’re all healthy, we all insulate and support each other in every place that we can. And marriage equality is part of that.” The party, held on Thursday evening in the IAC building, brought together New York’s most dapper gents, along with a smattering of Technicolor sequin-shaking drag queens. There is no such thing as a bad outfit choice at this kind of party; a woman in tights and a studded Jane Fonda-esque leotard was greeted with cheers. Ice skating star Johnny Weir, in a gray Thom Browne suit, caused a stir with his red velvet Christian Louboutin slippers and his dewy pale skin. Weir, who will be the head judge on “Skating with the Stars,” was named Out’s Diva of the Year, a title he said he embraced and loved. Weir acknowledged that in a difficult year, dealing with the community’s struggles came down to attitude. “Whether its a set back or a step forward, there’s always something that comes next - and that’s always what I’m looking forward to,” he said. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured article: Beyond Hiroshima - The Non-Reporting of Falluja's Cancer Catastrophe .
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At Out 100 Party, Celebrating Amid the Despair
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