The Trevor Project celebrated its 2018 TrevorLIVE gala Sunday night at the Los Angeles Beverly Hilton Hotel raising over $1.5 million to help at risk LGBTQ teens.
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
In addition to honoring producer/director Ryan Murphy (Pose, American Horror Story), the evening included performances by Lauren Jauregui, Deborah Cox, and a surprise duet by POSE cast members Billy Porter and Mj Rodriguez.
Lauren Jauregui kicked off the show with a stripped-down performance of her debut single, “Expectations.”
Trans activist/author Janet Mock presented the Hero Award to Ryan Murphy and the cast of POSE.
In accepting the award Murphy shared:
“When I was 19, in Indiana, I myself called a suicide hotline. Overwhelmed by the AIDS crisis, by the fact that I was the only ‘out’ person in my friend group, the only ‘out’ person I knew at the time, and alienated from my family, I felt profound despair. I made a call one late night in November. I made a connection, got some hope, and carried on. It’s powerful life saving work this organization does. In my roundabout way, I know this first hand.”
He also told the audience he will launch a multi-million dollar initiative in 2020, “Pose Gives Back,” to support and help elect pro-LGBTQ lawmakers.
He ended his speech announcing a $50,000 donation to The Trevor Project.
You can watch Murphy’s acceptance speech and announcement below from The Trevor Project’s livestream below. Mock introduces Murphy at the 124:00 mark.
Tune in to enjoy the official Livestream of TrevorLIVE LA 2018! Honoring Ryan Murphy and the Cast of Pose, Amandla Stenberg and AT&T. With appearances by Nico Santos, Lauren Ash and Jussie Smollett. Hosted by Eugene Lee Yang. Presented by Revry. https://t.co/eiLHRcPf5F
— The Trevor Project (@TrevorProject) December 3, 2018
The spectacular annual gala raises much needed funds to support The Trevor Project's mission to help LGBTQ teens in crisis.
Pose stars MJ Rodriguez and Billy Porter thrilled the gala audience with a reprise of their duet of “Home” from The Wiz. Watch below.
And pop/dance diva Deborah Cox performed “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” as well as a cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody:”
