24 LAPRIDE.orgL.A. MAYOR'SGARDENPARTYGChristopher Street West has experi-enced many firsts. We produced thefirst permitted Pride parade to close amajor city street, one that ourfounders fought so diligently for. And in 2010 we saw another first forCSW - our 40th anniversary. 40 yearsof tireless fighting for the LGBT com-munity, working for equality and seek-ing to ensure that there is a place tocelebrate and honor just being you. 2010 also saw another first whenLos Angeles Mayor AntonioVillaragosa opened the doors to hisofficial residence, Getty House, andinvited 500 LGBT community mem-bers and allies to celebrate theimpressive success that we haveenjoyed. "Mayor Villaragisoa's Garden Partywas a celebration of equality anddiversity, packed to the brim withlong-time leaders in the LGBT com-munity and new, up-and-coming lead-ers who are committed to carrying onthe fight for equality," said BeccaDoten, Director of Communications,Office of Councilmember RichardAlarcón. "While both the weather andthe attendees were bright and beauti-ful, it was the shared values and opti-mistic spirit of the guests and hoststhat provided warmth and inspirationthat afternoon."