Pride Among Allies And Roses

“[Christopher Isherwood] really enjoyed his life and our love together. I wish he was here now… He was always himself at these events… But, that’s enough about him! I’m here now, finally!”
– Don  Bachardy

THE REASON The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens held an inaugural LGBT event honoring portrait artist, Don Bachardy and the countless other LGBT people who have contributed to its collections and efforts over the years, on June 6.
THE REVELERS Event co-chairs Jonathan Weedman and Raymundo Baltazar, actor George Takei, honoree Don Bachardy, Chanel Boutakidis and Rebecca Haussling of Five Acres, Anthony Guthmiller of AIDS Service Center, and representatives from AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AIDS Project Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley Pride, Los Angeles LGBT Center (formerly the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center) and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
THE RECAP Among the gardens of curated roses, approximately 600 guests convened and cocktailed in support of the LGBT community. The event coincided with other Los Angeles LGBT Pride festivities. Gents and ladies alike sported creations from the Boutonniere Bar by florist Margit Holakoui. Bachardy spoke to the crowd about his life partner of more than 30 years, novelist Christopher Isherwood. Several works of both men are part of the collections at the Huntington, including Isherwood’s “The Berlin Stories,” which is the basis for the musical “Cabaret,” enjoying a second revival on Broadway.