LOS ANGELES -- Last weekend, out singer/songwriter/producer Linda Perry put on a gala that whipped up almost half a million dollars for several important LA Gay & Lesbian Center programs.

Dubbed "An Evening With Women," the celebrity-drenched soiree was held at the Beverly Hilton and more than $445,000 was raised through ticket sales, pre-gala silent auctions and auctions during the event itself.

LOS ANGELES -- For the fifth year in a row, the award-winning singer-songwriter-producer Linda Perry has gathered together many of her friends from the entertainment industry to raise money for the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center's many important programs.

Called "An Evening With Women," this year's star-studded fundraiser will be bigger than ever, and is being held Saturday, May 19, 2012 in the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton.

Opinions are like, well, you know. And in 2011, everybody had one — from celebrities to politicians — especially on LGBT issues. Here’s a round-up of some of the most interesting or outrageous.

“It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say: ‘Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport. These guys would go crazy.’ First of all, quit telling me what I think. I’d rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can’t play.”

NBA Hall of Famer and now sports analyst Charles Barkley (Washington Post, May 17)

PHILADELPHIA -- To celebrate the accomplishments of LGBT individuals throughout history, the Equality Forum releases a list of 31 icons to spotlight each year during the month of October.

The organization recently released its 2011 list and will begin featuring one icon per day through a video, biography and images starting Oct. 1, which kicks off LGBT History Month.