BeBe Zahara Benet at IGLHRC's Celebration of Courage, with Michael Sidibe (UNAIDS) and Kenneth Cole

BeBe hosted the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission’s Celebration of Courage event and awards ceremonies last week in New York City and San Francisco.

IGLHRC is an organization dedicated to human rights advocacy on behalf of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.  Some of IGLHRC’s earliest work involved building a movement toward the decriminalization of homosexual activity in BeBe’s home country of Cameroon.  BeBe felt extremely honored to be involved in the week’s festivities, and we were delighted to document them.

Check out BeBe’s luminous TV ad:

Photo by Dan Avery

Next Magazine has posted a fun new Q&A with the lovely BeBe.  Do you know who her celebrity crush is?  I didn’t.  Also love the gown in this photo – Rae Ann constructed it using leftover scraps from all the pieces they have made together over the years.

photo: Terry Hastings

Joseph Alexiou and the good folks at Homo-Neurotic have posted another cool article about BeBe – this time discussing her burgeoning music career in more depth.

Check it out here!

Out Magazine has honored BeBe for being one of the top 100 “most outstanding and inspiring men and women of the year.”  We couldn’t agree more.

She’s the what?  Check her out:

BeBe Zahara Benet’s “I’m the Sh*t”

Kudos to Nick Hillyard and his whole Minneapolis video crew!

Chris Rojas made a fun behind-the-scenes clip as well.

BeBe has a new single coming out – and a gorgeous music video to boot!

Nick Hillyard shot and edited the music video for “I’m the Shit” in Minneapolis.  He and his team did a terrific job!  A release party for the single was held at the Gay 90’s, and BeBe performed the number live in front of an amazing audience of friends and family.  An incredibly moving night.

A couple pics from the shoot:

BeBe with her fabulous wardrobe styling team: Christopher Straub (hometown hero of this season's Project Runway) and Marco Marco

BeBe with her dancers on set

Hey!  So I realize I’m way behind in getting these up on the official blog.  It’s been a crazy summer…and fall… But rest assured that we’re still moving full steam ahead.  In case you missed the party, here’s a bunch of press about it:

Entertainment Weekly did a blog post…

…as did Paper Magazine (check out Joseph’s killer photos)…

…Hint Magazine…

…and Homo-Neurotic (even more great pics – as well as our nominee for great blog title of the year)!

Many thanks to everyone who came out and supported our party.  It was a really special night, and your encouragement means the world to us!  xoxo.

Thanks also to Mimi Imfurst for emceeing the evening flawlessly.

Save the date – and start planning your outfit…..

BeBe is coming to NYC on Wednesday, July 29th for a fundraising party to benefit the completion of our documentary.

DATE:  Wednesday, July 29, 2009
LOCATION:  Blvd – 199 Bowery at Spring Street
TIME:  After work, 7-11pm
COVER:  $15 at door, $10 with RSVP to party@workandserve.com
[21+ only]

WHY YOU SHOULD COME:

1) The one and only BeBe Zahara Benet (and special guests) will be on hand for a rare NYC performance & to mingle!
2) We will be premiering our latest fundraising trailer for the film!
3) There will be a silent auction with amazing items up for bid!
4) We’ll have an early bird open bar & wine tasting – courtesy of our sponsor, Barefoot Wines & Bubbly!
5) You believe in supporting independent film, your friends, and people everywhere who follow their dreams!

We’ll be looking recession-fabulous.  You should too!

Visit our Facebook Event Page:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=227938460712&ref=nf