Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (or Otherwise)

Had the distinct honor this week of attending the 30th Annual PFLAG NYC Awards Dinner as the last-minute fill-in for a special guest of JetBlue Airways. It was a great event that was as emotional as it was inspiring. Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Christine Quinn led the evening, speaking out strongly about the tragic suicides and hate crimes permeating the city -- and nation -- in recent weeks. (How can the mayor be so smart about so many things, yet support the Meg Whitmans of the world whose platforms foster this toxic environment in which these things happen?)

“Let me be clear, these incidents are completely unacceptable," Bloomberg said. "They’re intolerable in a city in which tolerance is what defines us. They’re unacceptable in a city in which embracing our differences is what makes us strong. Because when any New Yorker is attacked because of who they are or who they love -- the fabric that binds us together is torn. That’s why these attacks are attacks on us all -- and why they can never, ever be allowed. Especially when it comes to our kids."

Then the tissues came out with the appearance of Brian Burke -- president and general manager of the Toronto Maples Leafs -- who spoke in public for the first time about his son Brendan, who died in a car accident in February just three months after making headlines around the world by coming out and speaking out against the homophobia that pervades pro sports. The elder Burke received the "Stay Closes" Sports Leadership Award for his continued efforts to keep Brendan's mission alive -- and working with PFLAG Safe Schools Program, which sends liaisons to help improve straight kids' attitudes toward their LGBT peers. But it was his emotion-filled memories of his son that rendered few eyes dry. Brendan's mother, siblings and college roommate were all in attendance for this special moment.

My "favorite" moment of the night, however, was when former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, above, was introducing Burke. He was trying so hard to say everything just right, but by the third time he was slated to say "gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender," his mind went blank and all he could come up with was "gay, lesbian ... or otherwise" (hil-ar-i-ous!).

The second best thing was being seated next to LGBT activist turned muckraker Michelangelo Signorile, whose bold-face gossip -- unlike the food -- had me salivating all night, even if he broke my heart by whipping out a post-dish "this is off the record." Talk about a blog tease.