Equality California (EQCA) honored gay rights proponents Saturday at its annual awards ceremony in Palm Springs.

Over 400 people attended the Equality Awards, one of the group's largest events and fundraisers, held at the Riviera Resort & Spa.

“This raises the funds that allows us to do the work,” Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, told The Desert Sun.

The group honored Emmy award-winning actress Debra Messing with a Lifetime Ally Award.

Messing, who played Grace Adler on the hit NBC show Will & Grace, is a strong supporter of gay and lesbian rights.

“For me, it's a no-brainer,” she told the paper. “Equal rights means equal rights for everyone.”

Also recognized were the efforts of California Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez, an ardent supporter of gay marriage. Perez, a Democrat from Coachella, called marriage a “civil rights issue.”

“I decided very early on that I was going to stand up for what I believe in when it comes to civil rights, and that includes the LGBT community,” Perez said.

EQCA is California's largest group dedicated to gay and lesbian rights.