This week's Dishes are in honor of the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus 5th Annual Big Package Auction, which will be held on Saturday, April 20, from 5 to 8 pm at Sidetrack (3349 N. Halsted). Hosted by Miss Richfield 1981, this benefit fundraiser will feature hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and sweets - and the opportunity to bid on exciting, fun-filled prize packages presented by some of Chicago's sexiest, hunkiest men modeling the latest designs in underwear!
Also, this year a VIP level has been added with a special pre-party from 4:30–5:30, a photo with Miss Richfield 1981, two drink tickets and passed foods, and a preview of the silent auction items. To purchase tickets, go to www.cgmc.org.
Today's Dish is Colby Melvin (who will not be at the benefit).
Underwear Model, Full Frontal Freedom Spokes model, GLBT Rights Activist, Goofball
Born in the deep South, Colby Melvin was brought up to be a gentleman, but his mother taught him early on that to make a difference in this world, you need to be a little bit “hell raiser” too! So, it isn't surprising that Colby has quickly become one of the most public activists in the fight for marriage equality across the country. Colby holds fast to his core beliefs of sincerity, civility, honesty and kindness and has used them as the basis for his commitment to raise awareness for LGBT issues. Combining his passion for politics with his love of entertainment, Colby emerged as a top spokes model for Andrew Christian. Soon after, he began working with Full Frontal Freedom, a coalition of independent artists and media executives – using their talent and creativity to raise awareness and enhance civil discourse. It was his first video with Full Frontal Freedom, a parody of a popular One Direction hit, that garnered Colby national attention for his willingness to publicly fight for the causes he believes in. The “Disclosure” video became one of the most watched political videos of the 2012 campaign cycle and resulted in Colby receiving the Human Rights Award for Political Performing Arts from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club in New York.
As outspoken as Colby has become about LGBT issues and the fight for marriage equality, his journey was not always easy. After graduating from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, Colby went to work in the oil and gas industry. The oil spill of 2010 found him in a major management position helping in the Gulf Coast recovery. It was during this time that Colby’s “secret” was discovered by a superior. After tolerating the corporate bullying, Colby made a decision – he would not hide who he was. Colby left his job, came out to family and friends and began working towards his dream of becoming a force in the LGBT community.
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