Seniors enjoyed line dancing at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual holiday party. (photo courtesy of the Los Angeles LGBT Center)

The Los Angeles LGBT Center recently held a holiday party for seniors at the Friendship Auditorium near Griffith Park.

Participants donned costumes from the “Wizard of Oz” at the over the rainbow-themed holiday party, which was attended by approximately 200 guests. The festivities included live entertainment, holiday photo booths, raffle prizes and line dancing, as well as a holiday meal. Actress and comedienne Michelle Gilliam hosted a variety show at the party that included juggling and tap dancing.

The center’s 2020 holiday party for seniors was held virtually because of the pandemic, and participants this year were excited the event returned.

“We just wanted you to have a good moment,” Senior Services Activities Coordinator Spencer Robinson told the crowd. “We’ve all been shut down, we’ve all been frozen out. So, we just wanted to have a moment to connect with friends and loved ones and see things we have not seen in some time.”

Los Angeles LGBT Center Executive Director Joe Hollendoner spoke with many guests during the party. Hollendoner, who will succeed Lorri L. Jean as the center’s chief executive officer upon her retirement in July 2022, said attendees were a “a beautiful, resilient, strong community.”

For information about the center’s senior services, visit lalgbtcenter.org/seniors.