GLAAD Names Top 100 For "Out Auction"

NEW YORK -  The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) announced this year's top 100 artists whose work will be auctioned at the 9th annual OUTAuction in New York City. The 100 selected works will be auctioned on November 21, 2010 at 5 p.m. at New York City's Metropolitan Pavilion. 

Jill Zarin (The Real Housewives of NYC) will host the event and will welcome fellow cast members Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, and Sonja Morgan.

Other special guests attending include Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee, David Bromstad (HGTV's Color Splash), Scott Herman (The Real World: Brooklyn), Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge (The Fabulous Beekman Boys), Mike Ruiz (The A-List), and Sheree Whitfield (BRAVO's The Real Housewives of Atlanta).

OUTAuction NYC will also include a live auction featuring El Jardine, Pablo Picasso, 1955 (Robert John Russo Gallery); Composition I, Joan Miro, 1967 (Robert John Russo Gallery); Untitled Nude VII, Herb Ritts, Miami, 1997 (Herb Ritts Foundation) and Les Capricesas de Goya, Salvador Dali, 1977.

Additional members of the honorary host committee who have lent their names in support of the event include singer/songwriter Robbie Williams, Randy Jackson (American Idol), Fran Drescher, comedian/humanitarian Kate Clinton, Vicky Gunvalson (The Real Housewives of Orange County), Heather McDonald (Chelsea, Lately) and Kyra Sedgwick (TNT's The Closer).

Among the artists selected to show at the event are Brian Cyr, an openly gay artist who was discharged from the Air Force under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; Gina Garan, famous for her role in the reintroduction of the Blythe doll and her photobook This Is Blythe; Argentinean artist Mirta Kupferminc; and filmmaker Jane Martin. A full list of featured artists is available at www.glaad.org/outauction.

GLAAD's Arts Advisory Committee selected the 100 featured artists from a pool of over 350 submissions. This year's Arts Advisory Committee draws talent from leading voices in the industry, including Jaclyn Acker and Andy Fligel from Chelsea Frames, Brian English of the Herb Ritts Foundation, artist Amy Levin, Alexander and Bonin Gallery Director Oliver Newton, Wayne Snellen of The Leslie Lohman Gay Art Foundation, curator Irene Shum Allen and president of the Andy Warhol Foundation Joel Wachs.

The Advisory Committee will review silent auction pieces prior to the event and announce GLAAD's 2010 Best Emerging Artist in three categories at the event: Mixed Media, Painting/ Drawing and Photography at OUTAuction NYC.

VIP Ticket holders will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a dinner with host Jill Zarin as well as products from her bedding line, among other prizes.

Host Jill Zarin has been an important GLAAD ally in recent years. She was recently seen participating in Spirit Day, remembering youth who committed suicide as a result of anti-LGBT bullying. "I am proud to serve as host for this year's GLAAD OUTAuction event," said Zarin. "I know that the media plays an important role in how we view others, and I'm proud to support GLAAD's work to share powerful stories about LGBT people with all Americans."

The 9th annual OUTAuction, presented by Bud Light and ROKK Vodka, will feature a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions as well as a VIP after party. Proceeds from the event benefit GLAAD's work to amplify the voices of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community by sharing stories of LGBT people in news, entertainment and social media.

About GLAAD -The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality.