President Barack Obama was a surprise stand-in for Vice President Joe Biden, and Jennifer Lopez was the recipient of the 2013 Ally for Equality Award, at Saturday night’s Human Rights Campaign National Dinner in Washington, D.C. Proclaiming that the “love we commit to each other must be protected,” President Obama addressed the room via streaming video.
Vice President Biden canceled his scheduled appearance due to the shutdown, while it’s clear why his presence could have been seen as political fodder for the radical right, it’s unclear why the President and not the Vice President addressed the audience via video.
Winning Prop 8 attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies were in attendance, as was attorney Roberta Kaplan, who successfully represented Edith Windsor in the Supreme Court DOMA case.
Former NAACP chairman an former Southern Poverty Law Center president Julian Bond, a longtime LGBT civil rights supporter, attended the event also.
The dinner was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. HRC notes the event was sold out, and over 3400 guests attended, “making this the largest dinner in HRC history.”
HRC presented the plaintiffs and attorneys from the historic Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) cases before the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year with the National Equality Award. Chart-topping singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles performed her hit song, “Brave†and later Jennifer Lopez was honored with the 2013 Ally for Equality Award this evening. The award recognizes the outstanding efforts of those who dedicate time, energy, spirit and whole-hearted commitment to better the lives of LGBT people.
In his address, HRC President Chad Griffin pledged marriage equality in all 50 states within the next five years, a promise he also made after June’s Supreme Court ruling that struck down DOMA.
Lopez is the executive producer of ABC Family’s TV series, “The Fosters,” which focuses on a family headed by two moms.
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Image by Jennifer Lopez via Instagram