The Empire State Pride Agenda set a new record of 1500 attendees to support the LGBT rights organization at the Hamptons Tea Dance on July 14th which celebrated its 20th Anniversary.  We clearly must have started coming when we were six.

Not only were there impressive leaders of business, design, the arts, politics and finance, there were some serious white gogo boots we were envying.

Lynn Faria who is the ESPA Interim Executive Director and recently married to Kendra Hutchinson commented, “It’s just shy of a year of the anniversary of gay marriage which has fueled the momentum across the country.  We’ve seen the president finally evolve on the right side of this issue and actually cite the work in New York and specifically the work the Pride Agenda has been doing for seven years.  We’re working now on protecting that and standing by those who have stood by us in upcoming elections.  We’re also working on a state wide law to protect against discrimination based on gender identity or expression.”

Faria added, “We’re seeing more and more people here with their kids and families who are recently married and can enjoy those protections with their children.”  Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sponsored the children’s area with “Family friendly furniture for all families.”

We adored the little pink loungers and were determined to steal one from the little cuties.  How embarrassing, however, if our twenty six ishhhh year old butt got stuck in the chair.

But despite growing families, the Hamptons Tea Dance remains the place to meet and greet. “We’re still here to flirt,” said a long time board member.  That’s where some of the best check-out-my-sexy-moves came in on the dance floor.

DJ Lady Bunny whose skirt gets shorter and hair gets bigger each year is known for the best play list and legs in the business.

This is the best dance party of the summer and guests boogied until the bitter end with DJ Lady Bunny’s famous swansong, “Last Dance” which is akin to the boat horns blowing at the end of the Fourth of July fireworks.  This is one event with old and new friends, that no one really wants to end.

And as far as romance under the tent in2012 , with the strides made by the ESPA, you’d have to rename the song, “We fell in love in a hope-ful place.”  Happy Birthday Hamptons Tea Dance!!!