HRC Las Vegas Gala with Cirque du Soleil, Anderson, Alva

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is holding their Second Annual Gala Dinner on September 8 at 6PM at the Caesars Palace Convention Center, as part of an effort to help gain awareness and stop discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans.

"The dinner, featuring speaker Judy Shepard, executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation and mother of Matthew Shepard, will honor Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and Former Las Vegas Mayor and Harrah's executive Jan Jones. Among the attendees will be Vice Chairman of Harrah's Entertainment and Honorary Dinner Chairman Chuck Atwood, and Staff Sgt. Eric Alva.  Alva's commitment to help end discrimination includes efforts to ban the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass' policy.  As one of the first Americans to be wounded in Iraq, Alva has gained national attention for his political views on the policy which states that service members who reveal their homosexuality while in the service face immediate discharge," state press notes.

Entertainment throughout the evening will include performances by Cirque du Soleil and comedian Louie Anderson.  Guests will have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction at the black tie event.

Ticket prices for the HRC gala are $250 per person, and tables of 10 can be purchased for $2,500.  For Las Vegas Federal Club members, tickets are $150 per person.  A VIP reception will begin at 5 p.m.  General registration, cash bar cocktail reception and silent auction will occur at 6PM, followed by dinner and awards at 7:30PM.  To purchase tickets or for more information regarding HRC, log on to www.hrc.org. Tickets are also available through www.boxofficetickets.com or by calling 800-494-8497.

The Human Rights Campaign is America 's largest national civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.  Striving to fight discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens, HRC helps create awareness by inspiring and engaging Americans.  Founded in 1980, HRC is a nonprofit, political organization that effectively lobbies Congress and provides campaign support.  Through innovative advocacy and outreach programs, HRC helps gain public support and works to educate the public on an array of topics affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans, including relationship recognition, workplace, family and health issues.  For more information regarding HRC, log on to www.hrc.org.

Photo: Staff Sgt. Eric Alva

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