theRiverheadProject hosts fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign

The Riverhead Project hosted a fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign yesterday evening.

TRP owner Dennis McDermott, a member of the organization, said he hosted the party, held in the restaurant’s lounge and the adjoining outdoor patio, because he likes to do things at his restaurant that bring people together for a good cause.

“I like to take something that’s important on a national level and make it local,” McDermott said yesterday at the HRC party.

About 65 people attended, donating a minimum $10 cover fee to HRC. McDermott donated all the fixings for a make-it-yourself taco bar, with sides of tossed green salad, cole slaw and potato salad. Live music was provided by Ludia Sabosto.

Founded in 1980, the Human Rights Campaign is the country’s largest lesbian-gay-bisexual- transgender advocacy and education organization, boasting 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide.

It’s a volunteer-based organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., with chapters all across the U.S., said Maria Fasulo HRC-Greater New York Steering Committee member. Business partners like the Riverhead Project play a major role in helping HRC pursue its mission, she said.

Upcoming events are posted to the local chapter’s Facebook page, said Lisa Livermore, L.I. events coordinator for HRC-Greater NY. Coming up next month is the group’s annual golf outing, “Tee Off for Equality” Aug. 18 at the Glen Cove Golf Club. 

Prizes raffled off at last night’s party included a wine tour at Bedell Cellars, two bottles of Bedell wines, four tickets to the Dar Williams performance at the Suffolk Theater, a $100 gift certificate to Trimble’s Nursery in Cutchogue. There was also an auction for an overnight stay at the Stirling House bed and breakfast in Greenport.

The group’s fundraising efforts support it lobbying, advocacy and educational activities, siad HRC-Greater NY volunteer co-chair Debra Bacchi said.

LGBT civil rights have come a long way since HRC was founded in 1980, McDermott said. While some advocates talk about marriage equality existing today “in only 23 states,” that’s a huge leap forward from where things were just five years or even one year ago, McDermott said.