Meredith Vieira Helps NLGJA Celebrate 25 Years of LGBT Media Advocacy

As always, had a hoot at the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association's annual Headlines and Headliners benefit gala, which raised tens of thousands of dollars for the organization's programs and scholarships for aspiring LGBT journalists. 

Returning host Meredith Vieira was in fine form, as usual, reminding guests that it's the organization's 25th anniversary: "Wow. Twenty-five, you know what that means -- too young to run for president and too old to date Andy Cohen." 

She went on to explain about a small snafu in her arrival: “I almost didn’t make it here tonight. I went in the wrong door and ended up at the Museum of Sex. Turns out that’s where the after-party is. If you don’t know, the password is Jeff Zucker or as most people refer to him, 'Mother Zucker.'" 

On a slightly more serious note, Vieira continued: "Now, more than ever, our business boasts a field of prominent Out and proud gays in key positions: Robin Roberts, Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Thomas Roberts, Rachel Maddow, Sam Champion and of course America’s closeted sweethearts, Kathie Lee and Hoda.” 

And then things got real: "The transgender community continues to make strides to gain greater acceptance with more portrayals in the mainstream media. This past year we saw Laverne Cox make history as the first transgender person to grace the cover of Time magazine, the series “Transparent” on Amazon won two Golden Globes and next week Bruce Jenner breaks his silence in an interview with Diane Sawyer about what many expect to be an open conversation about his transitioning…It is because of organizations like NLGJA that push for fair and accurate coverage of the LGBT community that we are where we are today, continuing to educate decision makers in newsrooms to sensitively cover the issues confronting each and every one of us."

Special guest Tyson Beckford gave the audience of media professionals some good advice ...

Always have a career backup plan ...

Here I am with journalist/DJ Jeremy Blacklow and Towleroad's Michael Goff

... and with NY1 theater reporter Frank DiLella, who has great taste in ties 

All in all, another great night for a great cause. To learn more about NLGJA, please click HERE.

Meredith Vieira to Host NLGJA's 20th Annual Headlines & Headliners Benefit

Details from the New York City LGBT media event of the year have just been announced -- will I see you there?

The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association and Meredith Vieira cordially invite you to the 20th annual New York Benefit: Headlines & Headliners.

Thursday, April 16^th

6:30pm to 9:30pm

The Prince George Ballroom

15 East 27th Street

New York City

Each year, the star-studded event raises tens of thousands of dollars for the organization’s programs, including those that provide scholarships to aspiring LGBT journalists.  More than 300 journalists, news executives, dignitaries and allies attend this event every year in what has become one of New York City’s must-attend media events.

At the event, Vieira will present NLGJA's 10th Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship and the fifth Kay Longcope Scholarship.

Purchase Tickets HERE
Members: $100
Student Members: $50 (Join Today)Friends of NLGJA*: $150

NLGJA Headlines and Headliners Recap 2014

As predicted, Shepard Smith did not make any "big" announcements at last night's NLGJA Headlines and Headliners fundraiser, but I did get to have a nice chat with Ronan Farrow and Gio Benitez -- and talked memoirs with Dan Mathews of PETA fame (his is "Committed: A Rabble-Rouser's Memoir" and a follow-up is in the works). Also saw Andrew Shue looking hot as ever. (Oh, and I may have thrown up on the way home.) Another great event for a great organization. Learn more HERE.

Always great to hang out with my friend Jim Key, who came into town for the event from L.A. with what appears to be a far cleaner iPhone camera lens!

NLGJA Headlines and Headliners 2013 Gala

NBC's Megan Kopf, D&D Advertising CafeMom's Andrew Shue, CNN's Javi Morgado, NBC's Natalie Morales and ABC's Amy Robach (aka Mrs. Shue)

Had a swell time at the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association's Headlines and Headliners soiree. Host Javi Morgado tried out a new venue for the annual fundraiser -- the opulent Prince George Ballroom on 27th just off Fifth Avenue -- and while it was far easier to get a drink than in past years at the Mitchell Gold store downtown, it was so big I ended up missing a number of friends, former colleagues and would-be friends. (Catch you next time, Andy, Michelangelo, Billy and Gayle!)  Fortunately, I did hook up with my pal Jim Key -- in town from Los Angeles where he is the chief public affairs officer for the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center -- and also got to see Lavi Soloway (Stop the Deportations: The DOMA Project), eager to get to Washington for the SCOTUS action ; the always-entertaining J. Jennings Moss (of Upstart Business Journal); Jason Bellini, who is back at The Wall Street Journal; Eric Hegedus of The New York Post and his pal Totally Tyler, whose new book -- "Boys, Booze & Booty Calls: The Continued Tails of Totally Tyler" -- is totally available on Amazon HERE. I also met four young journalism students from my alma mater, who are members of ASU's very own infant chapter of the NLGJA. Curiously, every single one of them missed their cue to gasp in utter shock when I announced I was a member of the Class of '89 -- before all of them were born -- but let me tell you kids this: You've come a long way, Sun Devils! Afterward, I tagged along with Jim -- a visitor who has a million more friends in New York than I do after 15 years! -- and his pals Derek, Ryan and Jack for a fun dinner at Elmo (thanks, Derek!), which was packed and turned out to be the unofficial site of the NLGJA after party. (Have you seen the bartender working there lately? Unf**king-believably hot!) From there, Jim, Jack and I headed to the Meatpacking District for an "on-the-list" outing at Cielo -- courtesy of Occupy the Disco -- before wrapping it up with a night cap at Barracuda, where the scariest Whitney Houston impersonator I have ever seen (and I have seen more than my fair share) came in last place in a talent contest performing "My Name Is Not Susan." I woke the following morning with a souvenir hangover -- age'll do that to you -- but I'm glad I went. NLGJA does a lot of great work -- and for networking and friendhips, it can't be beat. To learn more, click HERE.

With Jim and Eric

Natalie Morales

My pal Dean (left) and friends 

Jim, Ryan McKeel and Christopher Jones

An unknown young man puts the meat in a Jesse Rodriguez and Kevin Hauswirth sandwich

Natalie Morales, Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer

(Photos by Darren Gantt/NLGJA and Jon Schwenzer/President, NLGJA South Florida Chapter)

NLGJA's Headlines and Headliners 2011

Ann Curry, Sam Champion, Bill Ritter, Sade Baderinwa and Thomas Roberts

Attended the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association's (NLGJA) 16th annual New York benefit on Thursday, which is always my favorite event of the year. (I first attended in 1999 when I was also invited to the after-dinner, where I met Tina Brown, Harry Evans, Ed Koch and Michael Huffington -- with his boy-toy du jour -- then lucked out and was seated next to Jane Pauley. I've also blogged about the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 events.) This year's gala was hosted by MSNBC's Thomas Roberts and, like last year, was held at the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams store in SoHo. (Those two do so much for LGBT causes -- and make beautiful leather sofas, like mine!) The party is great because not only are two young journalists awarded scholarships, you also get to catch up on all the latest industry -- and personal -- gossip with all your fellow LGBT colleagues, as a bunch of bold-faced names wandering around amongst us! Here are some photo highlights:

Host Thomas Roberts and partner Patrick Abner

Michelangelo Signorile, human rights advocate Ashley Love and Andy Towle

With Kevin Hauswirth and Sade Baderinwa, whom I cross-examined about Charles Perez's memoir (She was a doll -- no wonder even HE liked her -- and didn't have a mean word to say about anyone)

Christine Quinn, Mitchell Gold and Thomas Roberts

Jane Velez-Mitchell and friends

Javi Morgado and Jesse Rodriguez

With new friends

My pals Jim Key and Derrick Shore (far left and right) with Javi Morgado, Ashley Love and friend

With Dan Mathews of PETA, whom I mistook for Matthew Modine (It was only when I got home and saw his business card did it make sense why he seemed to have NO IDEA what I was talking about -- oops!)

If Erin Moriarty DIDN'T want to hear me gush all night about how much I LOVE "48 Hours," then she shouldn't have set foot in the joint!

Blandon Belushin, Maurice Michaane, Joseph Hassan, blogger Totally Tyler and Eric Hegedus

I spy Jason Belini, Linda Mason of CBS, and Erin Moriarty

Patrick Abner, Erica Hill and Thomas Roberts

Not all journalists only have a face for radio ...

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David Steinberg and Thomas Roberts award Sharyn Jackson the Leroy F. Aarons scholarship

Mitchell Gold

(Professional photos via NLGJA & Michael Williams/Everett Collection)