Lesbian Comedian Dana Goldberg Hosts Black Tie Dinner

It's the most glamorous and powerful night of the year in Dallas: the Black Tie Dinner. Its humble beginnings go back to 1982, when 140 guests got together and raised $6,000 for the Human Rights Campaign Fund. Last year, 3000 guests flooded the ballroom at the event, raising more than a million dollars that was disbursed to 17 local groups, as well as to HRC.

And now, after a proud thirty-two year history, the Black Tie dinner has raised over $17 million dollars, with this year's event raising $140,000 at the auction alone. The dedicated Black Tie Dinner Board of Directors and this year's incredible chairs, Debra Davis and Ken Morris, outdid themselves at this year's event on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Sheraton Hotel Dallas.

As always, the event was rife with celebrities. This year that included Jason Collins, NBA Star with the Brooklyn Nets and the first publicly gay professional athlete; Alex Newell, of "Glee" fame; Steve Grand, openly gay country singer; Ted Olson and David Boies, winning Prop 8 attorneys; Dale Hanse, WFAA Sports Anchor featured on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" for his pro-LGBT politics; Dana Goldberg, lesbian comic and the evening's emcee and auctioneer; and Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo -- the famed Prop 8 couples.

As the evening began, the silent auction room was filled with everything from art to gift certificates to furniture, and impeccably glad guests wandered the rows as soon as the doors opened. And then just like on race day, before anyone knew it, the ballroom doors were thrust open and it was time for the festivities to begin.

The evening began with "Glee" star Alex Newell singing, "I Know Where I've Been" from "Hairspray" in all its gospel glory, back-up choir and all. Newell was all decked out with stiletto heels, an aqua blazer, bright red lips and loads of lashes. Newell has the kind of voice that gives you chills, and he was definitely causing some serious spine tingling on Saturday night.

Dana Goldberg then took the stage to host and entertain. And, as always, she was a powerhouse at both. "I'm happy to be back in Wendy Davis country," Goldberg said. She hit the political humor hard much to the delight of the audience, challenging even the most serious of issues, like many a Texas Republican's stance on abortion. "I'm from a Jewish family so the fetus isn't viable until it's graduated from law school."

She also chided Greg Abbott's recent attempt to wears glasses to make him look smarter. "There aren't big enough glasses in the world," she joked. Best of all she responded to Michelle Bachmann's ongoing hysteria that gay marriage somehow threatens heterosexual marriage. "Her marriage is the only one that will be threatened. Her husband, bless his heart. He's a big 'ol bear."

After warming up the already giddy crowd, Goldberg introduced Jason Collins. The final turning point for me," Collins told the audience, "was March 2013. DOMA and Prop 8 were being argued at my doorstep. It was hard to be quiet at that time. I am so grateful for the people who spoke out. Gay and straight. You can't win alone. You can't do anything alone." Collins called out Dale Hansen for his incredible contribution to the fight as well. "He was giving a voice to the voiceless."

Hansen himself then took the stage, and it was clear that everyone in the room was floored by and grateful for his powerful words, words everyone should be saying.

He joked about tripping as he made his way to the stage. "I shouldn't have had that fourth rainbow mule at the reception. When I tripped, Jason said, 'Your playing days are over.'" Hansen said that he never imagined his words would get him an invite to the "Ellen" show or "a free dinner at Black Tie." He chided the Republicans in the house, saying, "Gay Republicans. You guys are like Bigfoot. I've heard of you. But never seen you."

Hansen went on to talk about how truly unreal and unfounded all of the anti-LGBT rhetoric is. "People are comfortable with men who beat women, use drugs, drink and drive. But you're not comfortable with a man who loves another man. You've gone too far."

For as serious as his message was, Hansen also did his share of teasing, including about those who oppose his views, saying that in all of his forty years in the business, he's never been hit on by a gay player. "I'm starting to get a little pissed off about it. In my day, you'd be chasing my sweet ass around."

Way too soon, Hansen finished his time at the podium. "Hell, you're an even better crowd than I thought," he said as he closed his speech, reminding everyone there that. "If I have had any part in making it better for gay Americans, I am grateful for that. The fight might not end in your lifetime." He left the audience with a quote from Senator Ted Kennedy, "We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make."

Newell then took the stage again, doing an irresistible version of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." Newell's insanely powerful voice shone through once again as did his energy and truly happy spirit.

The ever-inspirational Chad Griffin, president of the HRC, read a letter that he wrote to his dad but never sent to him as he died four years ago. "If I couldn't find the courage to come out to my dad, imagine how hard it is for the people not seated here tonight," Griffen said.

Sandy Stier and Kris Perry took the stage with Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo to honor Ted Olson and David Boies with the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award. "The equal rights club is great and we want everyone in it," said Perry. "David and Ted, you are our heroes and we love you and we thank you."

The evening began to wind down with Steve Grand performing and Mike Anglin receiving the Kuchling Humanitarian Award. There was cheering and crying and revelry and inspiration all around. Once the seated dinner came to an end, the crowd moved to the after party where dancing all night long to celebrate our wins and fuel our future wins ensued.

The Black Tie Dinner is a testament to what we can do when we do it together. And it speaks volumes about Dallas' place in this fight. The battle might be more uphill here, but the warriors could not be more dedicated to the cause. Coming together, being visible, sharing our stories, making ourselves heard and reaching out to anyone and everyone who even might listen: That is what will bring the change.

As Olson said when he received his award, "We are going to accomplish marriage equality for all citizens in all states. It's so important to reach out to everyone. That is how we will win equality."

Indeed.