For those who don't know, Lambda Legal (Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund), as described on Wikipedia, is "an American civil rights organization that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) communities as well as people living with HIV/AIDS (PWAs) through impact litigation, education, and public policy work".
Wikipedia further informs us that "Lambda's founder William J. Thom, Esq. submitted incorporation papers for approval to the New York Courts in 1971, but his application was denied on the grounds that its proposed activities would be contrary to public policy . That decision was overturned in 1973 by the New York Court of Appeals , which is the highest court of New York State. [1] ( In re Thom , 301 N.E.2d 542 (N.Y. 1973).)"
What a difference four little decades make, right?
While these are times where public policy against gay marriage is opening its tight fist and long-overdue freedom is suddenly more and more upon us, we can thank LAMBDA Legal for leading the charge against such archaic discrimination.
Lambda Legal celebrated its 40th Anniversary on June 13, 2013, at what was called the West Coast Liberty Awards, in West Hollywood. The event was expertly produced by Nadine Jolson and Roz Wolf of the Jolsen Creative PR Group.
The West Coast Liberty Awards Honoree of the evening was The New Normal' s Justin Bartha. The New Normal was a television sitcom (2012-2013) about a gay couple trying to have a family via surrogate.
The reason all of the above is anything but mundane, and is indeed worthy of notoriety and applause, is because equality and freedom for gay people has never been a main dish on the American bouffet table.
the newly weds by masterdesigner
Likewise, the June 13 celebration was down-to-business, focused, and energetically serious.
In other words, Lambda Legal means business and is legitimately committed to the painstaking work of changing the lives of LGBT people one freedom at a time.
I had the pleasure of speaking with the Host of the evening, Lance Bass, as well as notable presenters Dan Bucatinsky from Scandal; Olympic Gold Medalist (and soon to be married) Greg Luganis; Jai Rodriguez from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy; and the delightful Rex Lee, who famously played Ari Gold's assistant, Lloyd, on Entourage.
Clearly, this was not a celebrity me-me-me fest. Everyone spoke from the heart and obviously knew from experience what it means to be gay in a gay-unfriendly world.
The very existence of Lambda Legal is cause for celebration.
Until every one of us is allowed to fully participate in life on the same playing field, the "game" of life will be about war, not love.
Lambda Legal is an organization to love, because it creates the possibility for love.
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