by Dana Miller

A couple of Fridays ago I found myself in the Kodak Theatre about to watch a live TV show. Hanging about in the TV business for as long as I have, watching a live show I’m not involved in generally equates to a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Or at least a drool cup.

If I can watch the damn thing live in the comfort of my home and not have to shake hands or kiss babies—or have twinks searching for work—I’m happier and germ free. But I so wanted to go to this. Spectacular ladies of our Tinseltown gang and beyond, including Laura Ziskin, Sherry Lansing, Ellen Ziffren, Lisa Paulson, Katie Couric and many more begged, pleaded and cajoled both the television networks and the entire entertainment industry to come together for the one-hour live special, Stand Up 2 Cancer. It was shown on all three major broadcast networks at the same time—commercial free. It was heroic, daring and just beautifully executed. Just like the grand old telethons gone by, phones were ringing on stage; you learned of the cause and were completely and utterly entertained, all in an hour. Almost every major star on the planet was there performing or answering pledge phones. All told, more than $100 million net had been raised to fight like a tiger to slow down and eventually stop the half-million deaths from cancer we suffer in America. The reason I bring all this up is the epiphany that poured over me while watching the show. To much of Hollywood royalty, on the charitable front, cancer is the new AIDS. Now I know that medically that line has been blurred for years as people living with AIDS die of cancer and people who have passed from cancer had AIDS. But we have elected to market them separately. Today we still have cancer walks and galas and AIDS walks and parties. But, yet, not a lot of unity. At least on the fundraising side. As I was watching this cavalcade of stars coming together on one massive stage, I couldn’t help but flash back to our past Commitment to Life shows at the old Universal Amphitheater. Twelve or 15 years ago, it was the most amazing collection of stars coming together every single year on one night to raise money for men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. At one time, these events were swell shows, not nationally based, but designed to fund AIDS organizations here in our hamlet. Five years or so ago, I tried to convince the always generous but complicated Elton John to do a national telethon for AIDS. ABC was interested. But honestly, Elton could just never get his head around it.

Truth is, our local AIDS community always sucked at collaboration. Certainly between ourselves, but especially with “outsiders.” So what a true joy a couple of Fridays ago was as we collectively cried like babies as millions came together for cancer. It was a real collaboration to raise big bucks. Hundreds of cancer organizations will benefit year in and out from Stand Up 2 Cancer. Watching them all get along in the Kodak, and talking that evening with folks from so many cancer organizations, just reiterated my glee with just a touch of gloom. All us AIDS folks should have gotten together well over a decade ago. Over the last few years, I have watched the mass of Hollywood slip away from AIDS. Many still rally. But as health and, in fact, life shined onto some, Tinseltown’s attention was averted to other causes. A lot of those causes learned to fundraise from the AIDS development community, but let’s be real: From the March of Dimes and War Bonds to the Hollywood Canteen and the USO, Hollywood has almost always stepped up. So again, a few Fridays ago at Stand Up 2 Cancer, I watched the entertainment industry rise like the massive power phoenix it can be and unify over something so important that it both chilled and warmed me at the same time. I was honored to be invited into the Kodak Theatre event. And truly, that evening’s splendid journey forward took me back to a warm place long gone. I can honestly write I was blessed to have been at both moments in time where humanity and humility lived and sparkled large and strong. Sometimes, just sometimes, we—all of us collectively—are better than good. We are great. Congrats to Laura and all involved. Sen. John McCain has battled melanoma. Sen. Barack Obama’s mother passed of ovarian cancer. The former great board chair of APLA, Steve Tisch, and his Steve Tisch Foundation, is sponsoring the website at standup2cancer.org. Steve’s sweet pop, Bob, passed away almost three years ago from brain cancer. Trust me, you know someone who has been touched—or soon will be—by cancer. So come on. Stand up. Sign on and give a couple of bucks. A couple of Fridays ago, I realized none of this is a competition. It’s a marathon filled with warmth. And perhaps, just perhaps, eventually very real unity.

If, for some dumb reason, you have yet to register to vote in the November election, get on it. You have until mid-October to do it online. Just Google “Register To Vote” or drop by your post office this month. Lord, both statewide and nationally, your voice have never been more important to our community. Odd, twisted, petulant folks are looking to take our—in their eyes—oddly twisted perverted kind down, and one ounce of malaise on our part might just be an assist. If you do nothing else this season, guard up and engage. If you think this one doesn’t matter, well hell, you are simply an idiot.

Thanks to those of you who made Labor Day L.A. such a hit this year! A ton of folks stepped out to three parties for a great cause, thus insuring Labor Day L.A. 2009. I was blissfully overserved and overwhelmed. Often the perfect, enchanting weekend for me. On that note, my 13th annual Toy Box Party is scheduled for the second Sunday in December. I pledge, hell, even swear to you, it’s gonna blow all the past ones away. I am truly excited about this one. Just $25 directly to Children’s Hospital puts you on the event committee, and an unwrapped toy gets you in the bash for free. Details will be arriving soon here in IN Los Angeles magazine. Or you can always e-mail me. Our community, for years, has made this the holiday party of the year. A ton of us get caught up in our own stuff all the time. Buying a toy and dropping it off at a soiree, having a pop of vodka and meeting a new friend or two can only help your 2009 karma. Write Sunday, Dec. 14, down in ink in your calendar. I want and need you there.

My old pal, Hugh Kinsellagh, is hosting an upcoming bash for what looks to be just an outstanding book. The tome is titled, CRISIS: 40 Stories Revealing The Personal, Social, and Religious Pain And Trauma Of Growing Up Gay In America. An extremely wide variety of members of our community participated, including Billy Bean, Nate Berkus, Richard Chamberlain, John Amaechi, Charles Robbins, Jim Hormel, Alec Mapa, Brian Graden, Hilary Rosen and Howard Bragman. The book was edited by the rich-with-pure-talent Mitchell Gold with Mindy Drucker. The forward was written by the still-stunning Martina Navratilova. Hugh’s bash is a book signing reception to celebrate the release of what is an important documentation of chapters in our collective lives. Damned important to capture our history! The proceeds benefit seven very cool charities, including the Gay & Lesbian Homeless Shelter, PFLAG, Point Foundation and the Trevor Project. The event is Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 6-9 p.m. It’s at the Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams Signature Store at 7960 W. Third St. To RSVP, call (323) 651-0200. Come bask in important history, have yet another drink with me, meet some more new friends, hang with history and buy a book. I’ll see you there.

While I’m on this literary tear, I just received an advance copy of Howard Bragman’s new book, Where’s My 15 Minutes? Howard is one of the funniest public relations pros on earth and the true current dean of Hollywood PR. He’s on television every 15 minutes with insight into how this town ticks and why the screwballs screw up and why some stars just know how to glitter. It’s a great read. Anyone wanting to know what goes on behind the velvet curtain in this town needs to read Howard’s book. To anybody who desires a career in Hollywood of any kind, this is a must read.

There is no better Sunday brunch in town than the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. For $48, you get an appetizer, entrée, dessert and booze, and the setting is stupefying. My pals were grumbling that you never see anyone but tourists there when in walked a superstar diva pal of mine I toil with all the time, and their silly theory went out the window. I pay the fare, I’m only plugging them for you to enjoy the quality. I just throw it out that, if you are on a first date, have family in town or still like that trick from Saturday night, get your self to the Polo Lounge for Sunday brunch. I honestly have just always, to a tee, found it extremely pleasant and civilized, and last Sunday was marvelous!

Have you joined Tom Whitman’s Gang of 100 for the AIDS Walk yet? Look—in my single, solitary and accurate opinion—I find the Walk domo and the APLA brass off-putting, but aside from those cats, 35,000 folk will have a terrific and frankly important time on Oct. 19. The masses negate the dull generals. Tom’s team is so much fun, and I would be thrilled if you were to join us. Go to the AIDS WALK L.A. site and click on Gang of 100 to join the team. I can promise you moans and occasional shrieks, and Tom offers up a drink or two at the half-way point. If ya drink, don’t drive. But hell, you can always sure walk with me!

See You Out & About
Contact me at Malibudana@aol.com.