The annual party is always a lovefest, but Saturday's black-tie bash at the Washington Convention Center was a giant (3,000 people) goodbye to HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch, leaving after nine years at the gay rights political organization to spend more time with partner Hilary Rosen and their 4-year-old twins. "I would never leave this job except for the children," said Birch. "It's not that you can't do this job. It's just that I don't want to miss them growing up."
.... (T)he tributes were long and loud, starting with surprise guests Al and Tipper Gore, Rep. John Lewis, "West Wing" actors Allison Janney and John Spencer, "The Hours" author Michael Cunningham, "Will & Grace" producer Max Mutchnick, and three of the five "Queer Eye" guys.
"People fall in love, want to get married, and live in peace with each other," Lewis thundered. "People ought to be free to do that." There was much, much more from many others. But it was Cunningham who summed up the night early on: "You're all heroes," he told the audience. "And you look fabulous, too." source
The Gores and Miss Birch. Poor Al, desperately seeking a constituency.
