by Jessica Carreras
DETROIT – For Sean Murphy of Ann Arbor, Affirmations' Community Center's Big Bash this past Saturday was more than just an excuse to dress up, down a few cocktails and cut a rug with his partner, Ryan Lindsay. "Ryan's always been a big proponent of Affirmations," said Murphy, 27, of their decision to come.
At Saturday night's event and fundraiser for the LGBT center, he learned why.
There, 529 attendees – the largest number in the event's nine-year history – gathered to honor several notable people in the community, speak fervently about local issues and raise funds for Affirmations through silent, support and live auctions held throughout the night. Items up for silent auction included bowls and vases, gift certificates and even basketball memorabilia autographed by the women of the Detroit Shock. The need auction allowed Big Bashers to pledge money to purchase necessities at the center, including light bulbs, cleaning supplies and even Netflix subscriptions and snacks for the kids there.
The live auction, however, was the most popular. Bidders went back and forth over vacation packages to ski resorts, a trip on a yatch and tickets and backstage passes to the True Colors Tour featuring Cindi Lauper.
Attendance was not the only record for the night. Almost $40,000 was raised from the live and silent auctions.
Affirmations Special Events Manager Carrie estimated that between sponsors, ticket sales, private donations and auctions, the entire event raised close to $120,000.
"We might have to change our name to 'The Biggest Bash," Affirmations CEO Leslie Ann Thompson joked.
This year, the event was held at the MGM Grand in downtown Detroit. The new location was a hit with partygoers, who enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and drinks in the casino and hotel's vast meeting hall before sitting down for a formal dinner in the main banquet room. "I love MGM," said Waterford resident Darrin Elland. Elland, 41, who works for Michigan's Department of Corrections, said that the beautiful and classy event was inspiring and uplifting after spending his days hearing about the state's poor economy. "As pretty as it is, I hope it will span out across the city," he added.
Elland came with his friend Jill Palazzolo, 42, of Rochester, who was perusing the auction tables and taking in her first time at the Big Bash. "I found out about it through Affirmations," she said. "I've never been, so I wanted to see how it was."
What she found was that everyone seemed to have a cause for celebration.
Affirmations staff, as well as local LGBT activists, took to the podium during dinner to announce several awards. The Lorna Utley Outstanding Ally Award was presented to local activist Gaye Tischler, who noted the humorous coincidence of her name and her chosen field of activism.
The Jan Stevenson Award, which presenter and Affirmations Board President Nancy Katz called "the unsung hero award," went to artist, writer and activist Charles Alexander for his work on the Affirmations gallery. Alexander accepted his honor to the sound of thunderous applause and a standing ovation, after which he gave a speech about growing up in Detroit and the importance of Affirmations to LGBT youth.
The Tim Cavanaugh and Charles Moyer Award for Philanthropy made its debut at the Big Bash. It was presented to the award's namesakes for the time and money they spent helping Affirmations and the LGBT community.
Perhaps the most moving moment of the night came from Thompson, whose keynote speech struck chords in the hearts and minds of many. She spoke about 15-year-old Lawrence King, a woman named Joan who is beaten and harassed because she's transgendered and political and religious nuts who blame gays for everything from natural disasters to terrorism. Thompson emphasized that while events like those shake people, the LGBT community should be stirred to action by those and other atrocities. "What are you going to do about those things?" she asked a captivated audience.
"I'm pleased to know that people were stirred to action," Thompson said after the event. "We sometimes take things for granted and become somewhat complacent when it's not happening directly to us, but we need to be aware of people in our community who need help."
One of those groups that all who attended agreed needed the most help is youth. "Our young people can go there and have role models, support and education so that they can go on and become talented leaders in our community," Alexander said during his moving speech about growing up gay in Detroit. "I only wish that there had been an Affirmations back then (in my childhood)."
Ryan Lindsay and Sean Murphy, now a social worker and banker, respectively, said that after moving to Michigan, they realized how different their childhoods could have been. "Where we grew up is much less tolerant than here," Lindsay said of the couple's hometown of St. Louis, Mo.
"We were really motivated by the speech of (Affirmations) CEO (Leslie Thompson)," said Murphy, who added that he plans to volunteer and donate more in the future – especially to youth.
Although only those over 21 were permitted to purchase tickets to the Big Bash, the presence of the younger crowd was felt throughout the whole event – from motivating words about the need to help LGBT children grow up safe and happy to the youthful smiles of attendees as they hit the dance floor. All of it was in celebration of Affirmations, a space dedicated to all but especially cherished by younger generations who seek shelter and solace there. "Until the whole world is a safe space, we need Affirmations," Thompson said. "And to have Affirmations, we need your support." And someday, the children who Affirmations supports now will be the adults who support it for generations to come.
