Fundraising to the Finish

by Mary F. Patel

Both presidential candidates made the city a key stop last weekend as the campaign moved into its final weeks.

On Friday, Democratic nominee Barack Obama made the scene for a triple fundraiser — two at the Sheraton Hotel on Race Street, followed by dinner at Comcast exec David L. Cohen's house.

The press was not permitted at the events.

Equality Forum Executive Director Malcolm Lazin was one of 20 leaders from the gay and lesbian community who organized the smaller of the Sheraton fundraisers.

Elliott Curson (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Lazin says that, while it was clear that Hillary Clinton was the choice of the LGBTQ community, it could work with Obama.

He declines to comment on what Obama said in his remarks to his supporters. But in an e-mail sent to those who attended, Lazin said, "We were privileged to hear ... Senator Obama state that he expects relatively expeditious passage of hate crimes and ENDA amendments and his commitment to repeal of [sic] Don't Ask, Don't Tell and DOMA and to provide same-sex couples in recognized relationships with federal marital protections and benefits."

While more than $210,000 was raised, some of the higher-level donors who paid to have their photo taken with Obama never got that opportunity. Word was that the Obama campaign lost the who's who list.

Lazin called the incident unfortunate and said organizers were trying to resolve it.

Long after Obama left, the politicking continued at the Park Hyatt Bellevue Hotel, where the annual gala for the William Way Community Center was held. Numerous city judges bought tickets to help support the center's mission in advocacy work for the gay and lesbian community: Ann Butchart, Ida Chen, Glynnis Hill, Anne Lazarus, John Younge, Ben Lerner, Patrick Dugan, Linda Carpenter and Dan Anders dropped in. Some may be seeking election to higher courts, and so are trying to raise their profiles.

Democratic District Attorney candidate Dan McCaffery, who has been on the gay scene a lot these days, sat at the Buck Monkey/Queer Times table with Dawn Tancredi, who wants to run for judge next year. McCaffery is looking to succeed Lynne Abraham.

On Saturday, a $1,000-a-person fundraiser for vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin was held, also at the Park Hyatt Bellevue. A few hundred paying guests from various states showed up to greet Palin, who had her hair done at the Pierre and Carlo salon at the hotel courtesy of PR maven Kelly Boyd.

"She looked fabulous," said Boyd.

Meanwhile, there are other elections going on around town.

While Obama was fêted on Friday, former U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan showed up at a small fundraiser at the Pyramid Club for a few Republican candidates trying to swim against the Democratic tide.

Robert S. Nix is running against U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah; Marc Perry wants to beat State Sen. Shirley Kitchen; and Wally Zimolong is looking to unseat State Rep. Babette Josephs.

Meehan, who plans to run for governor in 2010, provided opening remarks of encouragement.

"You may not win. But in two years, when they don't have an answer, that will be the time."

This and That

Mayberry says he was approached by many artists and cultural leaders to spend more ink on the arts.

"We will feature an artist and promote arts events," says Mayberry. He added that various budget cuts in other local news venues have impacted coverage.

Speaking of the local arts scene, Gary Steuer, the city's representative for the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, will speak at private launch party at JL Sullivan's Speakeasy on Broad Street Thursday night along with Karen Davis of the Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia and Peggy Amsterdam, head of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

(rcpatel@aol.com)