MUNA, the indie pop band consisting of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson, made a special appearance at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Center Gala on Saturday night, accepting this year’s Leslie Jordan Award and a special performance of two of their songs.
Singer-songwriter Jewel appeared at the event to present the trio with the Leslie Jordan Award for Excellence in the Arts. She also joined in on the group’s performance of their single “Silk Chiffon,” eliciting cheers from the audience.
“MUNA’s depictions of queer love and longing have earned them a devoted fanbase and, thankfully, acclaim throughout the music industry,” she said. “I love MUNA for their ability to make beautiful, exciting, and vibrant music—and their unbeatable spirit.”
In their acceptance speech, the band paid tribute to Leslie Jordan, hailing him as a queer elder known for his ability to make people laugh and find moments of joy even amid turbulent times.
“Our queerness is about working toward so many things that feel so hard to imagine,” said Gavin, naming things like ending racial inequality, making health care free for all, and expanding access to gender-affirming care as goals of their advocacy. “Our queerness is overwhelmed by all the big things that we want for this world, but we try anyway and make each other laugh along the way. So, in Leslie’s honor today, we say: ‘Watch us twirl daddy.'”
MUNA was honored at the star-studded evening alongside Grammy-, Tony-, and Emmy-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, and the pioneering visual artist Mickalene Thomas. Comedian and Fire Island writer-star Joel Kim Booster served as the host of the evening, which raised more than $1.6 million in support of the Center’s live-saving programs and services.
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