Gay causes were good causes during the 2010 Gay Days weekend, as a number of events served as fundraisers for local charities.
The June 1 Gay Days Kickoff party at Saks-Florida Mall raised more than $6,000 for Be Real, a community support system for LGBT youth.
“It’ll go into getting books for The Center for parents to use as resources on how to react to children who are gay,” said Gary Lambert, chair of Be Real.
He said the money will also pay for training on similar issues between parents and gay children.
Other GD2010 weekend fundraising events are still waiting for final totals, but most organizers were able to at least give a ballpark figure. Julie Noda with Hope and Help said the June 3 Gay Days Lush-A-Licous Wine Tasting raised at least $1,000. Hope and Help assists people affected by HIV/AIDS with support and medication.
The Center is still waiting for fundraising totals on their Miss GayDays pageant, but the winner was Alisa Summers from Tampa. Kennedy Dazenport from Ft. Lauderdale was the runner-up.
“There were remarkable presentations and performances by both contestants and both would have been great representatives of Miss GayDays 2010, but unfortunately only one could win,” said Randy Stephens, interim executive director of the Center. “We are pleased with the selection of Miss Summers.”
The pageant has been a part of Gay Days weekend since 2007.
