Isn’t it nice, for a change, to not feel cooped up in a small bar, night club or at home on a Saturday night? On January 23, the annual FlawLes Tie Party will bring the community together across three floors at the W San Diego Hotel in support of Equality California. A night of dancing, fun and entertainment, the Tie Party will also offer ways to engage in the efforts for equal human rights.

Did you know that in 26 of the 50 United States, you can be fired for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? Our state is not one of them because of organizations like Equality California (EQCA). In fact, it is thanks to our network of ass-kicking activists, policy advocates, and grassroots organizers for LGBT rights that California is the most protected state in the union.

The Tie Party starts off with Steph Johnson at 7:00 p.m. on the stage above the W’s colorful Living Room lounge where she will be featuring songs from her newly released album, Mysterious Feminine. Guests can also mingle and relax at WET, a refreshing outdoor pool area on the second floor that is adjacent the indoor/outdoor Veranda lounge.

The evening reaches new heights at 9:00 p.m. with DJ Trina J from Denver spinning at BEACH rooftop bar followed by Broken Bed (San Diego’s DJs Talonya and dirtyKURTY) at 11:00 p.m. with drummer Emily OBannon of Runhoney, and performance artist and pole dancer Laura Martin. Heated sand, fire pit, cozy cabanas. They are what make the venue wonderful and unique.

There will also be a silent auction and cocktail hour from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m, and some of the auction items include:

• All-Access Passes to Dinah Shore ($275)
• One-night Stay at The W ($200 Value)
• Dinner for Two at Rice at The W ($100 Value)
• Tickets to Melissa Ferrick and dinner for 2 ($110 Value)
• Tickets to Brandi Carlile and dinner for 2 ($120 Value)
• FlawLes Advertising Package ($250 Value)
• iTan Gift Card ($100 Value)
Other sponsors include Sweet, Cause + Effect PR, Burger Lounge, AYAYAY design, San Diego Pix and SDGLN.com. All silent auction bids start at $25, and 100% of the proceeds from the auction will go to EQCA.

A special treat for San Diego will be the presence of Marc Solomon, one of the leading experts in the marriage equality movement in the country, who will be speaking at 7:30 p.m. Currently the Marriage Director for EQCA, Marc is also a former director of MassEquality where he led the protection of marriage equality in the state of Massachusetts. Folks are strongly encouraged to arrive early, meet Marc, ask him questions, and discover ways to get involved in the movement. EQCA field staff and volunteers will also be on hand to tell people more about the over 600,000 conversations they have had since the beginning of 2009 to change the hearts and minds of others in our struggle for LGBT rights.

Tickets for the FlawLes Tie Party can be purchased online for $30 at http://www.flawles.com/flawles_store.php and at the door for the same price. Proceeds from the Tie Party will benefit Equality California whose work includes the recently passed Harvey Milk bill. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite tie as we celebrate the community ties we have to one another. The W San Diego is located at 421 West B Street (between State and Columbia Streets), and doors open for the Tie Party at 6:00 p.m.