The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil-rights organization working to achieve LGBT equality, is hosting the 16th Annual HRC Philadelphia Region Gala Dinner 6 p. m. March 24 at the Ritz Carlton, Philadelphia. This year’s gala dinner and fundraiser will include appearances by out late-night talk-show personality Ross Mathews and actor Maria Bello.
Mathews, a longtime supporter of HRC, said he wanted to work with the organization after attending one of their functions.
“I went to one event and I thought to myself, These people are doing really good work,” he said. “Then when I met the people working inside the HRC behind the scenes, they make a difference and I thought this is really worthwhile. So when they ask for anything from me, I happily oblige.”
Since then, Mathews has lent his talents to a number of HRC galas — 10 if he remembers correctly — and said each one is unique.
“It’s a bunch of like-minded people coming together in the name of equality,” he said about the events. “The vibe of it is really fun. People want to have a good night and raise money for a really important cause. What makes them all different is the different flavor each city brings to them. I’ve never done Philadelphia before but I know it’s going to be fun. I can’t wait to see what the people of Philadelphia bring to it.”
When asked which of his many talents will be utilized at the gala, Mathews said his contributions to these events always vary.
“I’m there to work for the HRC,” he said. “I don’t get paid for it but I like to be there for them. So I do whatever they need. In Philadelphia I’m going to be making a speech. It’s the kind of speech I make at colleges all around the country. It’s really funny and inspirational and it shows how important the work of the HRC is.”
Obviously Mathews has the gift of gab, having built a career as a regular and fan favorite, guesting on and hosting talk shows such as “Chelsea Lately“ and, currently, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” where he does Red Carpet interviews and segments such as “Meal or No Meal.” Mathews said his experiences on those shows help him to bring levity to the galas.
“There’s a lot of heavy stuff that goes on,” he said. “People talk about a lot of the uphill battles that we have in the nation and the world for equality. So it’s nice to have a moment of lightness and laughter.”
After being a guest star on a number of shows, Mathews will soon get the opportunity to be at the helm of a new TV project.
“I’m shooting my own pilot with E! that Chelsea Handler is producing in the next few months,” he said. “If all goes well, I hope that my face will be on the airwaves a lot more with my own vehicle, with the kind of tone that I want to put out in the world. If I get that chance I’ll take it seriously and it will be a lot of fun.”
Ross Mathews, along with special guest actor and activist Maria Bello, appears at the 16th Annual HRC Philadelphia Region Gala Dinner, 6 p.m. March 2 at the Ritz Carlton, Philadelphia, 10 Avenue of the Arts. For more information or tickets, visit www.hrcphillydinner.org.
Larry Nichols can be reached at [email protected].