L.A. Gay And Lesbian Center Shares Photos From 40-Year History, Prepares For 40th Anniversary Gala

L.A. Gay And Lesbian Center Shares Photos From 40-Year History, Prepares For 40th Anniversary Gala
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Since 1971 the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has been building the health, advocating for the rights and enriching the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The Center offers free HIV/AIDS care and medications for those most in need; housing, food, clothing and support for homeless LGBT youth; low-cost counseling and addiction-recovery services; essential services for LGBT-parented families and seniors; legal services; health education and HIV prevention programs; transgender services; cultural arts and much more.

This year the Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a gala event on November 12.

Neil Patrick Harris, his partner David Burtka and Chaz Bono will each be honored by the Center.

Leslie Jordan will host the event and Jane Lynch, among other celebrities, will also be in attendance.

If you're interested in attending the gala, which is being held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, visit www.anniversarygala.org for tickets and more information.

Below, see a slideshow of photos from galas past featuring Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Wanda Sykes, Kathy Griffin and others:

Celebrating The 40th Anniversary Of The LA Gay & Lesbian Center
Zachary Quinto(01 of20)
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A pre-coming out Zachary Quinto at the 2009 gala, where he presented the Center's Board of Directors Award to Clinton Leupp (AKA Coco Peru).
Amber Riley(02 of20)
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'Glee''s Amber Riley at the 2009 gala, where she got toes tapping when she belted out "Hating On Me."
Wanda Sykes & Jay Leno(03 of20)
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Wanda Sykes at the 2009 gala with Jay Leno, who presented her with the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award.
Elizabeth Taylor(04 of20)
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Elizabeth Taylor at the 25th anniversary gala.
Chelsea Handler(05 of20)
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Sardonic late-night TV queen Chelsea Handler at the 2009 gala, which she hosted.
Bob Mackie & Carol Burnett(06 of20)
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Designer Bob Mackie was honored with the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award at the 2003 gala, which featured a special appearance by Carol Burnett.
Carol Burnett(07 of20)
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Carol Burnett at the 2003 gala.
Clinton Leupp(08 of20)
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Drag performer extraordinaire Clinton Leupp, aka Coco Peru, moved the audience to laughs and tears with a stirring speech about his years donning drag and plunging into activism after accepting the Center's Board of Director's Award at the 2009 gala.
Elton John(09 of20)
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Elton John was honored at the Center's 25th anniversary gala in 1996.
Elton John & Elizabeth Taylor(10 of20)
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John at the 1996 gala with Elizabeth Taylor, who joined the Center to honor John.
Joely Fisher As Sarah Palin(11 of20)
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Gala host Joely Fisher's opening monologue at the 2008 gala, delivered as then-Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
Leslie Jordan(12 of20)
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Leslie Jordan at the gala in 2003. Jordan is back on stage this year as the night's host -- and check out his special anniversary message to the Center!
Jenifer Lewis & Jane Krakowski(13 of20)
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Lorri L. Jean & Tipper Gore(14 of20)
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Center CEO Lorri L. Jean with former "second lady" Tipper Gore at the 2008 gala.
Sally Field & John Schlessinger(15 of20)
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Sally Field with film director John Schlessinger, who was honored at the 2000 gala.
Griffin, Tomlin, Lynch, & Morrison(16 of20)
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Kathy Griffin, Lily Tomlin, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison at the 2010 gala. That year, Lynch was honored with the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award --the same honor she's presenting to Harris and Burtka this year.
Nathan Lane(17 of20)
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Nathan Lane at the 2002 gala.
Janney, Cohen, & Vilanch(18 of20)
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Allison Janney, Bruce Cohen and Bruce Vilanch at the 2011 gala, where Cohen was honored with the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award.
Shirley MacLaine(19 of20)
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Shirley MacLaine at the 2007 gala, where she presented Jenifer Lewis with the Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award.
Alec Mapa(20 of20)
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Alec Mapa hosts the 2007 gala. In the background stands the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, who was honored with the Board of Directors Award.

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