Event raised funds for HRC; organizers now preparing for May ‘Fairway to Equality’
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| Women line up down the block in front of S4 for the watch party for the premiere of the new season of "The L Word." More than 400 attended the HRC fundraiser. |
More than 400 women turned out when Human Rights Campaign and Showtime presented the premiere of sixth and final season of the popular lesbian drama "The L-Word" on Sunday, Jan. 18 at S4 in Dallas.
The event brought in more than $6,000 to benefit HRC equality outreach programs, organizers said. It also served as an HRC membership drive, and several new members joined, they added.
Dee Pennington, an HRC Board of Governors member and "The L-Word" event co-chair, said organizers "were amazed by the turnout and generosity this year. Women were lined up at the door three hours before start time."
Pennington is one of 21 DFW-area residents serving on the local, volunteer-led steering committee of HRC. The committee organizes local membership activities, fundraising events, political action and outreach efforts year-round on HRC’s behalf, she said.
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| Event co-chairs Dee Pennington and John Harrington discuss last-minute details for "The L Word" premiere party. |
Jose Gomez, local co-chair of the DFW committee said the organization "provides opportunities for our North Texas LGBT community to get more engaged in HRC’s work by attending and organizing events, participating in political campaigns and volunteering".
Pennington and Gomez said funds raised at "The L-Word" premiere, the annual HRC Fruitbowl and the annual "Fairway to Equality" women’s golf tournament each June help fund annual programs including the Latino Heritage Salsa Event, coming out workshops, faith and religion programs and the Juneteenth Celebration with the Legacy of Success Foundation.
John Harrington, Pennington’s co-chair for "The-L Word" premiere party, said: "Thanks to attendees at programs like ‘The L-Word’ premiere, we are able to continue our work in the areas of diversity and political training and to provide scholarships to send members with financial need to D.C. for training and lobbying."
Gomez said plans are already underway for the 2009 Fairway to Equality tournament in May. Last year’s tournament had a record number of participants and broke past fundraising efforts, he said. The event begins with a Calcutta Golf Auction party followed by a full day of golfing.
Pennington said she expects this year’s tournament to be "one of the most successful Fairway to Equality events ever, and we welcome volunteers and sponsors to join us in raising much-needed funds."
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 30, 2009.
