HRC Dinner

For those of you unfamiliar with HRC (Human Rights Commission), it is a national political action committee for the gays. As one of their major fundraisers, they sponsor chichi dinners across the country where everyone gets all dolled up for equality and listens to hours of big, gay speeches.

Well...a week ago Saturday – I took Rita to her first HRC dinner, Nashville style:

• I will bet you that this is the only silent auction in the South that includes trips to Provincetown, Miami Beach and Fire Island [and oh yeah… a lot of gift certificates for a free cut and color]
• If the women attending Saturday’s dinner are any indication, equality’s army will be clad in a black pantsuit.
• The equality-lovin’ liberal from California sure was an easy fund-raising mark. “But Rita, if you are going to write a check, at least get me a trip to Provincetown, Miami Beach or Fire Island.”
• I know, I know….there are more Nashville City Council Members attending than EVER …but do they all have to sit together? [“I know what your preacher Ted Haggard told you…but we’re not contagious.”]
• It’s a cash bar?! Nothing says equality like a $15 cocktail.
• “Yes, honey – the non-discriminatory ordinance that we are celebrating is from THIS year. You Californians have Berkeley…we have NASCAR. You have to grade on a curve.”
• I had to explain ALL the country music jokes to Rita [When they say…"Taylor Swift can’t hit a note with a bus…”]
• Beware the elegant southern straight ladies…who knew Iris Buehl’s speech would make the gay boys blush?
• From now on, the entertainment at these things is going to be American Idol semi-finalists, isn’t it? There’s like a 1,000 year supply.