Darren Criss - Pink Replaced By Darren Criss At Obama's Fundraiser

Criss' involvement in the event has been marked as significant because he plays an openly gay high school student on the show. Barack Obama recently spoke out in favor of same sex marriage and the gala is aimed at the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Obama declared the month of June "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender pride month" and in a public address, said "From brave men and women who came out and spoke out, to union and faith leaders who rallied for equality, to activists and advocates who challenged unjust laws and marched on Washington, Lgbt Americans and allies have achieved what once seemed inconceivable."

The fundraiser is being held at the Beverley Wiltshire Hotel and is expected to raise around $10 million for Obama's re-election campaign. Obama's Gop presidential rival candidate Mitt Romney has said of the gay rights issue "[I] hope the issue - as tender and sensitive as the marriage issue is - is not a source of fundraising for either of us."