I took a stroll around the auction. I'm awed by some of the artwork. A painting called "Dell's" caught my eye, but I didn't catch who created it. 

I think Persad is awsome and amazing. I donate to them through the United Way each year.  I refer many, many people there for all sorts of services.

Things are quiet here right now.  People are mingling, enjoying the entertainment and bidding away on the art. 

This event supports the organizations "Free Care Fund" which serves people in our community who couldn't otherwise access these services.  Since you know LGBTQ folks are disproportionately represented among the uninsured ...good thing this event has raised more than $3 million over the past twenty years.

That's a lot of $200 bids.

For the second year in a row, we are live blogging from Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art -- Persad's annual art auction and reception.  This is the final year the event will be held at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland due to renovations at the museum. 

Next year they may be at the August Wilson Center, according to inside sources.  That would be very cool.  And closer to my house.

More than 200 artists have donated.  More than 1800 guests are expected.

And @Ledcat is tweeting. 

Hold on. 

Just made my first visit to Police HQ. They have a silly little machine to gain entrance and not-so-loveable curmudgeon at the gate.  He started the hell out of me by looming over while I was waiting for someone -- anyone -- to answer my button pushing.  Not a good start. I almost dropped by Blackberry and that would have been a problem.

But the permit for the Dyke March is notarized and submitted.  The route has been changed to Bloomfield which is very appropriate as a response to the recent gay bashings.  I've spoken with Mayor Ravenstahl's team so I anticipate little problem getting things formalized.  Hopefully, it will all be sewn up by Friday.

Kudos the Mayor's LGBT Advisory Committee for intervening to ensure all community events are treated fairly.

President Obama will today nominate Elena Kagan to fill the impending vacancy on the Supreme Court.

She has a bit of history with DADT that's worth reading about.

More later.

It was nice to post "hey, I got an award" yesterday, but when I took a peek through the google searches I had a humbling reminder LGBT blogs are important  ...

"lesbian support in Pittsburgh"

"help for runaway gay kids"

"lesbian support groups"

"make lesbian friends in Pittsburgh"

"gay partner abuse"

I hope they found answers.