SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024, 6:00 p.m., at the HILTON ANAHEIM

Join MenAlive for our biggest fundraiser of the year! The evening will include cocktails, a silent auction, live music (including the MenAlive chorus), a sumptuous meal, and a live auction of two incredible vacation experiences. We can’t wait to see you there. Tickets are now on sale.

- Harmony Gala Ticketing Infomation -

VIP Package
Two Tickets, Valet Parking, Open Bar, Deluxe Room, In-room Sparkling Wine
$1000

Individual Ticket
Cocktails, silent auction, live music, a sumptuous meal
$350

Full Table of 10
Cocktails, silent auction, live music, a sumptuous meal for 10 people
$3500


2024 Rich Cook Community Bridge Award Recipients

MenAlive is honored to present Alex Mohajer, an award-winning independent political writer, advocate, and organizer, and Jeff Whittiker, longtime MenAlive member, the Rich Cook Community Bridge Awards.

The Rich Cook Community Bridge Awards are presented annually to honor those in the community who have made a positive impact in and for the LGBTQ community. The award continues to recognize distinguished community members who personify MenAlive’s mission of “informing, bringing healing, joy, friendship and building bridges to the public at large.”

ALEX MOHAJER

Alex Mohajer is an award-winning independent political writer, advocate, and organizer. He was the first millennial and first Iranian American elected President of the Stonewall Democrats, one of the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ political advocacy organizations. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Iranian American Democrats of California. Queerty named him one of the 50 most inspirational LGBTQ voices in the nation.

A passionate activist since he was a teenager, Alex has stated: “The movement for the liberation of oppressed people is intersectional and nonpartisan… I will always advocate for marginalized communities here at home, especially as hate against our Asian American, Jewish, LGBTQ+, and Black neighbors is on the rise.”

Born and raised in Irvine, CA, by a single mom who immigrated to the United States from Iran, Alex graduated from University High School and Irvine Valley College before attending the University of California, Berkeley for his undergraduate education. He returned to the district for law school and graduated with a J.D. from Chapman University School of Law in 2011. For the past 10 years, he has worked in public service, trying due process hearings and investigating allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination as a Civil Service Advocate. As a public speaker and media personality, Alex frequently appears on panels, conferences, television interviews, and podcast/radio broadcasts nationwide. In 2019, he executive produced the National Vote-at-Home Initiative. This multimedia GOTV project recruited the talents of notable celebrities and influencers to register more than 30,000 voters to vote by mail.

Alex is proudly 5 years sober and an active member of the sobriety community, volunteering his time helping people who struggle with addiction.


JEFF WHITTIKER

Jeff Whittiker, a native and lifelong resident of Orange County, has spent over 20 years working in various capacities to build, promote, and secure MenAlive’s position as an integral member of Orange County’s LGBTQ+ community. In that time, he performed as a singer and dancer, served for three years on the MenAlive Board, and served two years as FO/Treasurer. Contributing in innumerable ways to the day-to-day running of the Chorus, he has served on MenAlive’s Gala, Retreat, and various other committees. Never one to be idle for long, he currently volunteers to manage and ensure the continued accuracy and effectiveness of the Donor Database. Talented administratively and artistically, he volunteered as a Musical Section Leader for many years.

Jeff’s contributions go beyond MenAlive, however. A prominent member of the Laguna Beach community, he performs with the LagunaTunes Community Chorus and volunteers as their Choreographer/Dance Captain. He has recently begun serving on the Board of the Laguna Beach Garden Club as co-treasurer with his husband, John Holcombe.

Jeff and John generously and frequently open their Laguna Beach home as hosts for various charitable causes. Their beloved silver Labrador, Sterling, generally tolerates these occurrences, if perhaps not welcomes.


2023 HARMONY PHOTO GALLERY

Many thanks to our photographer, Bobby Laumea.


MENALIVE Season Sponsor

 
 

Rich Cook Community Bridge Award Recipients

2023 Katie Porter, Bob Gunn
2020/2022 G.C. Brad Brafford, Dr. Karyl Ketchum, Al Roberts
2019 Felicity Figueroa, Karen Zfaty
2018 Carl Jordan, Mike Fuhr
2017 Joe Hodulik, Sarah Kasman
2016 Bao Nguyen

2015 James Vaughn
2014 Rich Cook
2013 Miguel Conniff, Laura Kanter
2012 Robin Voss, Pearl Jemison-Smith
2011 Dr. Max Schneider & Ron Smelt, John Chiang, Dan Choi
2010 John Alexander, Barbara Venezia, Bruno Serrato, Katherine Darmer