Queer Town: Pro-Gay Marriage Fund Raiser at Ultra Suede

It was a quiet early evening in West Hollywood this past Saturday--few people were walking the strip on Santa Monica Boulevard, the Abbey wasn't jammed, and the house music wasn't pounding away. But a little after 8 p.m., a hundred or so gays and lesbians met up at Ultra Suede on Robertson Boulevard to raise money to fight Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage November ballot measure.

The event was called "You May Kiss The...", and it was hosted by top promoters in gay and lesbian nightlife: Tom Whitman, Fuse Events, and TigerHeat. The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center's Young Professionals Council also helped organized the fund raiser, which hoped to draw a mixed, gay and lesbian crowd. Bruce Vilanch, Jai Rodriguez, and others performed, and donations ranged between $30 to $25.

Jai Rodriguez, left, chats with one of the only legally married couples who attended the fund raiser at Ultra Suede on Saturday night.

Evie Harris told ribald jokes to the crowd's amusement.

The Pin-Up Girls danced a hot number for the lesbians in the audience, which the gay men seemed to appreciate.

Jai Rodriguez sang his own song while also serving as master of ceremonies.

With Election Day looming, opponents of Prop. 8 have raised close to $11 million, according to the California Secretary of State. They probably need to raise another $9 million within the next few weeks to run an effective TV and radio ad campaign. Supporters to ban gay marriage in California have already raised nearly $16 million, according to the California Secretary of State.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com.