For Gershwin’s co-owner Tim Mullane, supporting the annual Dining Out for Life fundraiser is a no-brainer.
The Norfolk bistro and piano lounge is among 54 restaurants that will donate a percentage of proceeds from every diner’s bill on Thursday to the LGBT Life Center. Most restaurants give 33%; Gershwin’s is among a handful donating 50%.
“The money is going to people you know, people in your community, people that work in your restaurants and your stores,” Mullane said. “It’s going to help them with all kinds of things, not just medical. This is one of the best things we do every year.”
Headquartered in Norfolk, LGBT Life Center works with LGBTQ communities and people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities, and providing education and advocacy.
The fundraiser started 22 years ago, back when HIV looked a lot different, said its executive director, Stacie Walls.
“The populations that are at risk of HIV today are very different, so we’re making sure our programs are reaching high-risk populations that include men of color, men who have sex with men, women of color, transgender individuals,” Walls said. “That’s our work and it’s just as important reaching those populations as it was back in the day with gay white men.”
The center’s services include housing and utility assistance for more than 200 people and transportation to medical appointments and substance abuse treatments. The center’s food pantry, open to all, served more than 3,800 people in 2024, amounting to more than 180,000 pounds of food.
At a time when needs are critical, the center is in danger of losing its federal support, more than $1 million, for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) work. The center has two grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a state grant, totaling about $1.2 million.
“We’re making good progress. But we’re not making that progress with STI infections,” Walls said. “It’s scary because 25 years of building prevention programs will be gone if we can’t continue to receive the federal money.”
Dining Out for Life typically brings in $100,000 to Hampton Roads.
“That’s a result of restaurants being invested in local community causes and organizations,” Walls said, adding that this is the first time multiple restaurants contacted the center asking to be part of the fundraiser. Organizers typically solicit new restaurants each year.
“That’s been lovely to see,” she said. “We know it’s really hard for restaurants right now. Costs are high. We know that when they are pledging to donate a percentage of the day, it can be painful for them. They really believe in our cause.”
Proceeds from the 2024 Dining Out for Life helped the center provide 2,341 free HIV tests, 4,424 free STI tests, co-pays for prescriptions and clinic visits, and access to mental health counseling.
Two restaurants, Omar’s Carriage House and No Frill Bar and Grill, have participated since the fundraiser’s inception. LGBT-owned restaurant MJ’s Tavern has also been a regular partner. It will host the ambassador/staff after-party and donate 50% of the proceeds from everything sold that day.
“I’ve lost a lot of friends to HIV and AIDS. This is something that is near and dear to me,” said John Childers, co-owner of MJ's. “Everybody is welcome here. We have diverse staff, diverse customers. This is one way we can reach back into our community and help those who need it.”
Visit diningoutforlife.com/city/757/ for more information.
