Celebs Ring in GLAAD Tidings

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation hosted its 12th annual GLAAD Tidings holiday fundraiser Sunday at a private estate in the hills above Los Angeles in a bid to build public support for the positive inclusion of LGBT individuals in media and beyond.

The evening was headlined by a rousing two-song performance by former American Idol contestant Frenchie Davis (Broadway’s Dreamgirls), who drew the few hundred guests to their feet with an amazing performance of “I Am Changing.”

“I don’t think I’d be as successful as I am on Broadway and beyond without the gay community,” Davis said between songs. “Thank you for accepting me as I am — bald and big-breasted!”

Guests mingling as they bid on silent auction items that included such items as VIP passes to a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, a cast-signed Mad Men script, luxury trips, spa visits, a custom perfume, jewelry and was attended by The L Word’s Elizabeth Keener, Chad Allen, Kim Coles (Living Single), Top Chef’s Jamie Lauren and more.

Keener said she’s currently working on a few Web series including Venice (starring Guiding Light’s Crystal Chappell) and Buttercup and Boy, which she’s filming for Comedy Central.

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Keener, who was there with Chef’s Lauren, said she missed playing nutbag Dawn Denbo on Showtime’s The L Word. “That was the best character ever. The show was a blast; everybody was so much fun, but to do that character on the show was phenomenal. When it’s you against everybody, it’s the best.

“I really tried to play (Denbo) more than one-dimensional so they would (love to hate her), but then you go, ‘Wait a minute, I hate to love her, too. It’s like you love to hate her but you also love to go the other way. I miss that,” she said.

GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios, in introducing the evening’s eco-friendly fashion show, encouraged guests to bid on the more than 150 items in an effort to help support the organization.

“Laws on the books don’t change hearts and minds,” he said.

Designers participating in the fashion show included Enrique Santo Domingo, Keyra Gonzalez, Simplicio Michael Luis for Haus of "M," Ninaki Priddy and Johnny Rodriguez.