Industry Powerhouses Raise Millions for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center

On Saturday, Oct. 19th, $2.9 million was raised for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's services for homeless LGBT youth at a benefit dinner hosted by director Roland Emmerich ("2012," "Independence Day," "The Day After Tomorrow"), one of the Center's largest annual donors, at his Hollywood estate. The Center offers the nation's most comprehensive range of services to care for homeless LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) and questioning youth.

The guests included director/screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, entertainment lawyer Alan Hergott, CAA's Bryan Lourd, "Glee"'s Jane Lynch, Real Housewife Lisa Vanderpump, producer Michael Gordon, mogul Russell Simmons, Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal, director/showrunner Ryan Murphy ("Glee," "American Horror Story"), HBO's Michael Lombardo, Camille Belle ("10,000 B.C."), "Scandal"'s Dan Bucatinsky and David Furnish (chairman of EJAF & husband to Elton John).

The event also marked the premier of a powerful new short film and PSA, "Any Given Tuesday," that highlights the plight of homeless LGBT youth in Los Angeles and features Elton John, Jamie Foxx, James Woods and Lisa Ling. It was written and directed by Trent Kendrick and produced by Michael Fossat for the Center. In less than 4 days it has already had more than 38,000 views.

For more than 40 years the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has been building the health, advocating for the rights and enriching the lives of LGBT people. It serves more LGBT people than any other organization in the world with services ranging from LGBT specialty medical care to cultural arts programs; from housing homeless youth to hosting life-enriching programs for seniors.

The Center's 7-day/week services for homeless LGBT youth include housing (for up to 18 months in some cases), 3 meals/day, medical and mental health care, clothing, counseling, job placement services, a GED preparation program, adult mentoring, social outings and much more.

To learn more please visit www.lagaycenter.org/youth .