Gala speakers Camille Cook (c) poses with her partner, Siri Hutchenson (l) andTexas Representative Dawnna Dukes (r).Cook and Hutchenson shared their touching story of overcoming discriminationduring Hutchenson's recent extended hospital stay. As life partners, the twowomen have learned first hand about the urgency of the HRC's work for partnerrecognition in all 50 states.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Austin City Councilwoman Randi Shade (second from left), mother Denise Shade(l), Tanya & Art Acevedo (r).Shade and her partner, Kayla Shell, were this year's recipients of the BettieNaylor Award. Shade was the first openly gay person to serve on the Austin CityCouncil while Shell is an Executive Legal Director at Dell.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Guest speaker Reichen Lehmkuhl (r) poses with friend Michelle Hardy.Lehmkuhl, a reality television star (The Amazing Race, The A-List: New York) andoutspoken GLBT activist, discussed the discrimination and abuse he experiencedwhile attending the U.S. Air Force Academy.He celebrated the victory of the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and theimportance of continuining the HRC's efforts to insure gays and lesbians one dayachieve full equality in the eyes of the law.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Police Chief Art Acevedo kept the crowd laughing and bidding during the night'slive auction. Gala attendees bid on travel and vacation packages, with theproceeds going directly to the HRC.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Photo by Jon Shapley
Photo by Jon Shapley
U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (l) with Tim Hanson (c) and TexasRepresentative Elliott Naishtat (r).
Photo by Jon Shapley
Jean Smajstrla and Jason Elliott.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Dan Latreille, Kevin Baab, Kaitlyn Kerrigan, Jim Currin and Heather Latreille.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Jim Martinek, John Kerrigan, Jonathan Pehl, Cleve Collings & John Ruffier.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Lori Anderson, Britt Kornmann, Becky Bills and Tiffany Tosh.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Karen Langsley, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett and Joel Baldazo.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Jill Wilcox, Craig Mesenbrink, Samantha Henderson and Libby Doggett.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell poses with Julie Byers and Texas RepresentativeElliott Naishtat.
Photo by Jon Shapley
Gala Co-chair Kathrin Kersten, Corporate Sponsorship Co-Chair Veronica Castelo,U.S. Representative Lloyd and Libby Doggett.
Jeff Lofton, jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader.
Photo by Dwayne Hills Sr.
Jeff Lofton
Photo by Dwayne Hills Sr.
Jazz Appreciation Month, held every April, was established in 2001 to celebrateand honor jazz as an original American art form, and for its influence onhistory.