On Sunday, October 3, 2010, Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing presented its 9th annual GArden Party at the historic Petitfils-Boos Estate in the exclusive Hancock Park section of Los Angeles. The event which serves as the organizations largest fundraising and awareness effort honored long-time GLEH supporters Filmmaker Adam Shankman, HIV/AIDS Clinical Specialist Dr. Tony Mills and legendary television entertainment reporter Rona Barrett.
Founded in 2001, Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing (GLEH) is a non-profit organization committed to constructing and maintaining high-quality affordable residential communities that provide a safe nurturing environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults.
GLEH is the outgrowth of a community organization called the Alliance for Diverse Aging Community Services (A-DACS). A-DACS was a community-based group started under the fiscal management of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center (LAGLC) with a $90,000 grant received from the Aging with Dignity Initiative established by Governor GRay Davis in the 2000-01 state budget. The Governor's initiative included the administration of a grants program which would develop alternatives to nursing homes. The one-time startup funds challenged organizations to develop programs which could be sustained and replicated. A-DACS was responsible for addressing the unique needs & challenges of the aging LGBT population by: identifying gaps of services available to LGBT older adults; developing a plan for a full-range of services - including housing - for LGBT elders; and building a collaboration of service providers by conducting "sensitivity trainings" dealing with issues faced by LGBT elders.
Sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka, The GArden Party drew over 600 ticketed guests and a number of familiar faces from the entertainment industry including presenter Oscar winning Writer/Director Dustin Lance Black, Jesse Tyler Ferguson from ABC's Modern Family, Carmen Elekra, cast members from Showtime's Queer As Folk including Michelle Clunie, Thea Gill, Peter Paige, Robert Gant and Gale Harold, cast members from NBC's Queer Eye For The Straight Guy including Kyan Douglas and Jai Rodriguez and many more.
Entertainment was provided by L.A. based Upright Cabaret with special performances by Jennifer Leigh Warren (Little Shop of Horrors, Big River, Marie Christine) and Jake Simpson (Star Search Grand Chapion, Oprah Winfrey favorite) with Music Director Brett Ryback.
For more information about Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing, please visit www.gleh.org
Photos by Brian Putnam
