The June 27 fundraiser benefiting the Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus Tour Fund raised $25,000, West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran — himself a member of the chorus — announced to the event's enthusiastic attendees.
The funds will be used to provide scholarship support to the organization so it can send a chorus of 150 on its first-ever South American tour. The Chorus will visit four countries, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.
"Scholarships will allow GMCLA to send the largest possible number of members on tour, increasing the impact at concerts and raising more money and support for services in the countries visited," said Hywel Sims, GMCLA Executive Director.
Director/ performer Michael Lucas flew in from New York for the event, which was held at Numbers restaurant in West Hollywood. In a brief speech he complimented the Chorus on this undertaking and recounted how moved he was when the L.A. Chorus visited Moscow in his native Russia. "It didn't change minds," he said, "but it got people to think."
LaRue, who had been in San Francisco, also made a special trip to Los Angeles to take part in the event. The celebrated director got things going with a porn DVD giveaway, then introduced the Rascal exclusives he had brought along: Cole Ryder, Tyler Riggz, Luca Di Corso, and just-signed Josh Vaughn. Benjamin Bradley, accompanied by Roman Heart, did not arrive until later.
While on tour, GMCLA will raise money and awareness for local and national non-profit organizations dedicated to LGBT and HIV issues. Notably, GMCLA has been asked by the Rio de Janeiro Lesbian and Gay Center to help launch the first gay chorus in South America.
The GMCLA four-country South American Tour is scheduled for September 17 - 30.
Michael Lucas, Chi Chi LaRue photo courtesy of ClubChannel1.com
