Advocate magazine turns 45

Admit it, at 45 years old, the Advocate looks good. Over those years, the LGBT magazine has seen the same challenges as any other print publication but has forged ahead with its watchdog duties in human rights as well as being a pop culture compass.

The glossy will celebrate the big 4-5 at the Beverly Hilton on Thursday, welcoming a host of celebs and activists, as well as fashion and social types. Not to mention inductees to the Heroes Hall of Fame, a list of notables that includes Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, Cynthia Nixon and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Macy Gray will perform for the crowd, with “Tonight Show” correspondent Ross Mathews as emcee, in a night that boasts “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Drew Droege, Sean Maher and Oscar show writer Bruce Vilanch as well as Dustin Lance Black, Donna Deitch and Pat Rocca.

Founded in 1967 as a vehicle for education at a time when gay and lesbian bars were being raided and unlawful arrests made, the mag’s legacy will be toasted in the Hilton’s International Ballroom, with a DJ set from Beau Dasher.

The Advocate partners with Lexus for the event, also serving as benefit for the Point Foundation, which works to provide academic scholarships to LGBT youth.

—Matt Donnelly