White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts and Plenty of Mad Hatters Kick-off the Human Rights Campaign

Who else can host a fabulous fun party! When the Human Rights Campaign – Houston thought about who to ask to host a table captain event at their home, Michael and Matthew Burrus-Pearce immediately sprang to mind. Known for their somewhat over-the-top parties, the Hunters Creek duo latched onto the date being around Valentine’s Day to have The Queen of Hearts, The Cheshire Cat and The Mad Hatter for their Alice’s Adventures in Equality – themed event.

Matt Burrus-Pearce, Estelle Burrus-Pearce and Debbie Pakzaban

Among the throngs of supporters in attendance were Vivian Wise and Sergio Morales, Jon Halbur, Debbie Pakzaban, Mike Holloman and Tim Surratt and daughter Nora, Kristine Mills, Chau Nguyen, JMichael Soliz, Tony Shelton and Ross Smith, Tracy Faulkner, Erin Rosemond Spencer, Christine Habash Johnson, Scott French, Ryan Levy and Ian Eastveld, Tammie and Charles Johnson, Stefan and Trevor Eade-Hill, Carol Wyatt, and Amy Blumrosen. Michael and Matt’s own adorable children were present, with three-year-old Estelle Burrus-Pearce dressed in a complete Alice in Wonderland outfit and one year-old brother Winston as The White Rabbit. The guests were encouraged to wear their “maddest” hats in the spirit of The Mad Hatter/Alice in Wonderland theme.

The finalists for maddest hats were Alex Blair, Rene Garza and Timothy Kirwin, who took home the first place prize for his illuminated live fish in a fish bowl inside his top hat. (No animals were harmed, and “Bob Barker” the fish is happy to be in a more stable aquarium.) HRC-Houston Gala Co-Chairs Britt Kornmann, Elisa Sosa and Rodney Morris were pleased to announce at the event that country music recording star Ty Herndon would be the entertainment for the Gala that will be held at The Westin Galleria Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2015. For more information visit www.hrc.org/states/texas.

Photos by Michelle Watson / CatchLight Group