Photo & Video credit: Brendan Kownacki
“I’m pretty shell shocked by what I see every day, by what I hear every day,” said actress Anne Hathaway at The Human Rights Campaign Gala where she received the 2018 National Equality Award spearheaded by HRC President Chad Griffin, “and I really don’t like to admit this, but I get scared.” She isn’t the only one – the 3,000 guests that showed up at The Convention Center probably felt the same way. Coming together though dissipated the scare factor, at least in the moment. “There is enough room for all of us,” she added. “PERIOD.”
Prior to the dinner & award presentation, Senator Cory Booker (Dem. NJ) addressed the media and the thousand of guests in front of The White Carpet, which means he had to shout his remarks…..like really shout them. “We are having a party with a purpose. We are here united in love and faith and a willingness to fight for what is right. I am so grateful to see all of us here investing in an organization that continues year after year to make a change for the cause of justice, of love for LGBTQ rights. We still have work to do, but tonight let’s embrace each other. Let’s nurture and nourish each other. Let’s celebrate love. But most importantly, in a time where hate and bigotry are being elevated from the highest offices in the land, it’s time that we double down and say the truth of America is patriotism. Patriotism is love of country and you can not love your country unless you love your fellow countrymen and women. Love one another. Know that we must truly be one nation under God, indivisible with the confidence that gives you the right to go free [from the land.] Tonight let us continue to march forward; a march that started with my ancestors; a march that’s united in others for our freedom. From Selma, Stonewall, to Seneca tonight we celebrate and pause and recognize so many heroes. But tomorrow, lets’ get rolling and keep marching towards victory. God Bless everyone.” (Insert thunderous applause)
Senator Cory Booker
Lots of friends on The White Carpet: Jonathan Capehart with his husband Nick Schmit who told Hollywood on the Potomac: “The best part of the evening was when Vice President Biden told the story of a young man who was swim team captain and president of the student body whose parents put him through conversion therapy. And then, after announcing that the young man was in the audience and making him stand up, Biden said, ‘I have your back! I will always have your back!’ to roaring applause.”
Nick Schmit and Jonathan Capehart
And Hilary Rosen: “HRC always has a good combo of passion, politics and fun at these huge national dinners. With thousands of people at the convention center it is hard to create intimacy but community is exactly what you feel when you walk in the door. Equality for all. Joe and Jill Biden were a crowd favorite; Anne Hathaway glowed as she shared her passion for justice; Eric Holder was pointed in his criticism of Donald Trump and why we must fight back; Braden Holtby of the championship Washington Capitals paying tribute to Adam Ripon was amazing; and Chad Griffin was the host leading the parade. He is smart, creative and tactical about the upcoming elections. It is noteworthy that people like Sens Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, Gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams all came by for cocktails before the adjacent CBC dinner to share their support.”
Terry Bean with Hilary Rosen
There was the usual parade of famous faces, but Awkwafina stole the show. Recently off her fabulous performance in Crazy Rich Asians, she was in shaky mode thinking about meeting Joe Biden. “It’s very nerve wracking up here,” she said. “I can’t believe I am following Eric Holder. I met Joe Biden. I am so honored to be here tonight to get to present the National Equality Award to my friend and sister Anne Hathaway. I was lucky enough to star with her in Ocean’s Eight and I got to see her first hand what an incredible what an incredible person she truly is.”
Awkwafina
A look inside:
