Oh What a Night: The Glitz and Glamour of Dallas Black Tie Dinner

It felt like prom. We packed our dresses and make-up and hot rollers into the car and got to the hotel early to get ready with friends in their suite. The room was bustling. Everyone was excited and nervous.

"Do you think these shoes are ok?"

"I hope this tie isn't too much."

"Oh my God. I love that jacket!"

And though I didn't have a corsage, I did have a tea length strapless gown complete with crinolines beneath. Of course, this time around I didn't have to ask for an advance on my allowance. Instead, Valencian designer Anamaria Gil generously loaned me the Cinderella fantasy for the evening and then donated it to raise funds for Black Tie.

But this was no prom. It was much bigger than that and much more socially conscious too. It was the Dallas Black Tie Dinner that raises money for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation and eighteen local charities. More than 3000 people attended this year's event and it was glitter and glam from start to finish.

I had the honor of not only attending but was also asked to donate signed copies of my book "Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage," which were auctioned off along with dinner with yours truly at Daniele Osteria. Can't wait to see who won!

We also had the privilege of being invited to two VIP receptions prior to the actual event, which meant getting to meet fashion designer and activist Kenneth Cole (the keynote speaker for the event), honoree Bishop V. Gene Robinson, actress Beth Grant, President of HRC Joe Solmonese, and comedian Ross the Intern up close and personal. They were all as charming and gracious as I had hoped and Ross was even funnier in person than he is on Jay Leno, if you can imagine.

Of course, I have to admit, my brush with Joe Solmonese was quite accidental.

"I love your dress," a handsome man said to me.

"Why thank you," I said. "One of a kind, you know."

"Really?" handsome man said.

"Yup. Spanish couture designer."

"Joe, look at this," handsome man said to second handsome man next to him.

"It's fabulous," said handsome man number two.

"And that's straight from the King of the gays," said handsome man number one.

"Oh, wow," I said still completely clueless about who I was talking to. "How long have you had that title?"

"Three years. This is Joe Solmonese, President of HRC," said handsome man number one.

Well, there was no covering up my surprise at that point. So I just showed my true admiration and gushed appropriately and nearly passed out when he invited me to be a guest on his XM radio show "The Agenda."

"I'd love to have you on the show," Solmonese said. You had me at hello, Joe. You had me at hello.

After the receptions, we headed for the silent auction floor. I could not believe how many items were up for auction - clothes, trips, books, furniture, services of every description, wine, art. You name it. We finally decided on a set of ultra plush, baby blue pajamas. Ok, I decided on the pajamas. It was my girlfriend who was sweet enough to decide to pay for them. So, we placed our bids and then went in search of our table.

We were seated just to the left of the stage with a great view of the festivities. Of course, anywhere was the best seat in the house because of all the screens on the walls. Once we were seated at our elegantly and simply appointed table, we ate the lovely salads before us and then the program for the evening began in earnest.

The official proceedings were kicked off with a performance by Marvin Matthews and one heck of a gospel ensemble. Co-chairs Randy Ray and Laurie Foley then welcomed everyone and introduced the first speaker of the evening, Mayor Tom Leppert. He was as quite inspiring and a great opener for the famed Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. Can I just say, I am in love. It was such an honor to get to hear him speak and after having had the pleasure of chatting with him before hand, I was even more wowed that such an approachable guy could have such a magnetic stage presence.

Bishop V. Gene Robinson was then awarded the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award and his remarks could not have been more gracious or moving. A lovely dinner of filet mignon, maji maji, and veggies was then served followed by a chocolate extravaganza to die for. A chocolate whipped mouse in an edible dark chocolate cup with raspberries. Following dinner was a short dance performance, the live luxury auction, and award presentations, including the Kuchling Humanitarian Award given to Rebecca Covell and Phillip Johnson and the Media Award given to Logo and accepted by Brain Graden.

After the drawing for the BMW - why didn't I buy a ticket???? - Kenneth Cole took the stage. He talked about his new book, "Awearness," which is full of stories from people who are working for positive change in the world every day. They share how much that work has meant to them and how anyone can get involved starting that very day. He was funny and charming with just the right amount of self-deprecating humor balanced with stories of his great success despite any odds.

Co-chairs Randy Ray and Laurie Foley closed the evening's formal festivities. But the fun was far from over. The After Black Dance Party quickly got underway with plenty of dancing and cocktails to be had. We headed up to the co-chair reception to which we were generously invited. There we danced until the wee hours to the sounds of an impressively talented singer who was accompanied with only a synthesizer and sometimes his own guitar strummings. I could have sworn that Marvin Gaye, Abba, Flo Rida and TPain were all in the room that night. What a hoot. Even I couldn't resist when my girlfriend dragged me out on the dance floor.

From the yummy food to the amazing speakers to the killer auction items (I won those pajamas, by the way!) to the stellar view (literally) atop the Dallas Sheraton it was a night to remember and I will be counting the days until the next Dallas Black Tie Dinner. Oooooo, but what on earth will I wear?