"Modern Family" Stars Honor LGBT Family Advocates

Fresh off the heels of an eventful week of victories, LGBT family advocates gathered at University Studios Hollywood on Feb. 11 for the Family Equality Council's eighth annual Los Angeles Awards Dinner.

This year's honorees were Chad Griffin, the strategist behind the historic court challenge of California's ban on marriage for same-sex couples; former Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy, who helped lead efforts to repeal the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers and award-winning children's author Todd Parr.

A federal appeals court just days earlier on Feb. 7 upheld a ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. The following day, Washington lawmakers passed a marriage equality bill. Governor Chris Gregoire signed the measure into law on Monday.

"It's an incredible privilege for us to honor Chad's efforts, not only on behalf of the more than 15,000 LGBT parents raising children in California, but on behalf of all our families nationwide," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council. "Chad is working to create a world where our families can be valued for their love and commitment to one another. He is a champion for love, justice and family equality."

Griffin received a standing ovation as he collected his award from director and friend Rob Reiner.

"The lawyers we picked, one from the right side, one from the left side, enabled us to lift the partisan veil from which this issue has always been discussed, and shine the spotlight on the human face of discrimination," said Griffin, who founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the group that sponsored the Prop 8 court challenge.

Plaintiffs Kris and Sandy Stier and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarillo were in attendance along with Academy Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who penned the play "8" based on the trial transcripts.

"Next year let's hope we're here after a Supreme Court victory," said Griffin before closing with an excerpt read from a worn copy of the appeals court's ruling.

After a performance by the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, Murphy received an award for his role helping repeal 'don't ask, don't tell.'

"It's pretty special for my family and I to be here because it's just so important," he told EDGE. "You either believe in equality or you don't and I believe it with every fiber of my being,"

The Iraq war veteran is currently running for Pennsylvania Attorney General and vowed to lead the fight for marriage equality in his state.

Between awards, "Modern Family's" Jesse Tyler Ferguson performed the Broadway tune "Somewhere That's Green." He and on screen partner Eric Stonestreet were between takes when the Prop. 8 ruling came down. They tweeted a photo holding a sign that read, "How could you NOT want to see us tie the knot?"

"I just wanted to do something with Eric that sort of capsulated that moment; it was very spur of the moment," Ferguson told EDGE. "Every time I meet a gay couple that has a kinship with Mitchell and Cam, it's a special moment because usually what they're thanking us for is being present on TV and giving their kids someone to look at and realize their family is just as normal as everyone else's."

Stonestreet presented Parr an award recognizing his children's books and art, which promote diversity and empowerment. His 2003 The Family Book celebrates family diversity, including same-sex parented families.

"I had no idea the impact that it would have, and it was simply that your family is important, no matter what kind of family you are," said Parr, whose artwork raised funds in a silent auction.

The awards dinner kicked off a series of events that will mark the Family Equality Council's 30th anniversary. Past honorees include Dan Savage, Cynthia Nixon, Wanda Sykes, Terry Miller and Jamie Lee Curtis.

"I'm sure that 30 years ago, when a group of gay fathers got together and started this organization, they never could have predicted how far we would have come in those 30 years," said Chrisler.

She said the council will launch a youth corps of children raised by LGBT parents this year.

"There are one million LGBT families raising two million children who are counting on us," said Chrisler. "I promise, with your help we will not stop, we will not compromise, we will not back down until my children and your children live in a world where they are truly equal."