Garden parties aren’t all iced teas, sundresses, and men in khakis sipping their scotch on the rocks. Not in LA, anyway. Last weekend’s garden party, hosted by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at Getty House, came complete with a red carpet, celebs, cocktails, politicians, “ding dongs on a stick”, and a purpose: to honor LA PRIDE – the 40th annual Los Angeles LGBT PRIDE Celebration.

Members of the gay community, such as celebrity trainer Jackie Warner, Drag Diva Momma, and John A. Perez,  California’s first openly gay Assembly Speaker, came together to kick off the celebration, which was created to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion that took place in New York. Celebrity Chef Gary Arabia of Global Cuisine was honored to be a part of the event and created a delectable “Summer-fare” menu which included Wild Mushroom Tarts with Caramelized Goat Cheese, Veggie Samosas, French Macaroons and more scrumptious items. All of the food was cooked on site (“…from pan to plate,” Arabia said), the produce was organic and any chicken used was free range, as well.

During his speech Mayor Villaraigosa reiterated his support of the gay community, officially proclaiming June as Pride Month. In addition, the 2010 Parade Grand Marshals, Kelly (who looked fantastic in a short, Carmine Red dress and purple-kissed hair) and Sharon Osbourne,  affirmed their commitment to the gay community. “I accept you and I love you and I will fight for you,” declared Sharon Osbourne.

LA PRIDE takes place this weekend, Saturday, June 12 – Sunday, June 13. For more details please go to http://lapride.org.

Images via: Brian Putnam and Jay Lawton

Tags: garden party, gay community, LA PRIDE, LGBT, los angeles, Los Angeles Events, Organic, Social Activism, Weekend Events