GLAAD Livestream Raises $250K for Hard-Hit LGBTQ Centers

Barbra Streisand, Pete & Chasten Buttigieg, Rosie O'Donnell, Wilson Cruz, Adam Lambert, Tyler Oakley, and more made appearances on GLAAD's "Together in Pride: You Are Not Alone" livestream digital event.

Hosted by Billy Eichner and Lilly Singh, the event raised over $250,000 for CenterLink, a member-based coalition of LGBTQ centers across the country, all of which have been affected by COVID-19.

"During this truly unprecedented time, tonight's event brought together some of the world's biggest stars to send necessary messages of support, solidarity, and community to LGBTQ people across the world, as well as the heroes on the frontlines battling this pandemic," GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. "LGBTQ people are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and we have a responsibility to highlight the impact of this pandemic on our community, as well as to ensure that LGBTQ people are not left behind."

"LGBTQ community centers and GLAAD are cornerstones of the community and we are proud to help their important work to help LGBTQ people everywhere,." said Ariadne Getty, president and executive director of the Ariadne Getty Foundation, which donated $150,000 for the cause, the event's largest single donation.

CenterLink connects nearly 250 LGBTQ community centers from 45 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Mexico, and Australia.

These centers are often the only place providing critical services such as medical care, shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth, mental health counseling, filling prescriptions, providing hot meals, checking on the elderly, and more. The funds raised in the digital event will go to directly support CenterLink and LGBTQ community centers and the 2 million LGBTQ people who use the centers each year.

"LGBTQ centers are the heart of the community," said CenterLink's interim CEO, Denise Spivak. "Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these centers have continued to provide vital connectivity and services, pivoting to virtual programming, modifying in-person services when possible, and ensuring that their communities have resources and support when they need it the most."

Check out some of the highlights:

Billy Eichner (who identifies as bisexual) interviewed Mayor Pete Buttigieg & Chasten Buttigieg, where Chasten discussed life as a homeless teen.

The cast of Jagged Little Pill on Broadway sang "You Learn."

Mj Rodriguez & George Salazar recreated their duet of "Suddenly Seymour" from their recent production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Tyler Oakley and Wilson Cruz interviewed executive directors of local LGBTQ centers offering frontline/direct services to LGBTQ people in need.

Jonathan Van Ness talked with Lilly Singh about breaking down stigma around living with HIV.

Actor Brian Michael Smith interviewed Dr. Darien Sutton, a gay doctor on the frontlines of COVID-19 in New York City.