Provincetown Film Festival 27th Year

The Provincetown International Film Festival is celebrating 27 years & runs Wednesday June 11th to Sunday June 15th in Provincetown, MA. This year’s Filmmaker on the Edge is director Ari Aster. Aster will be in Provincetown to receive the award in conversation with resident artist John Waters on Saturday June 14th ahead of the nationwide release of his new film “Eddington” on July 18th. Anne Hubbell, PIFF’s Executive Director stated, "Ari Aster’s films weave grief, beauty & dread into unforgettable cinematic experiences. We’re excited to welcome Ari to Provincetown for a thrilling conversation about his dynamic filmography.” It was also announced that Emmy Award-winning actor & Provincetown local Murray Bartlett will be honored with this year’s Excellence in Acting Award. The star of “The White Lotus” is known for his expansive work in HBO’s “The Last of Us”, “Looking” & Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendales”. Murry will receive the honor in conversation with Academy Award-nominated producer & prior PIFF Filmmaker on the Edge honoree Christine Vachon on Saturday June 14th. Andrew Peterson, PIFF Director of Programming added, “Murray Bartlett has distinguished himself as a remarkable talent, bringing depth & authenticity to every role. Murray demonstrates a rare ability to connect with audiences through vulnerability, humor & strength. We’re thrilled to honor him this year." PIFF also announced that Eva Victor & River Gallo will receive this year's Next Wave Awards. Lisa Viola PIFF Artistic Director concluded, “Eva Victor & River Gallo represent the very essence of independent artistry. With our Next Wave Awards, we are incredibly proud to celebrate their diverse talents as both creators & powerful leads in each of their original debut features." 
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SCOTUS Purges 15K Service Members

The Supreme Court of the United States has granted the current administration’s April 24th motion for an emergency stay in United States v. Shilling allowing the purge of transgender service members from the military to proceed while the case is still being heard in the courts. Now thousands of transgender Americans will now lose their jobs, their commands, their promotions, their training, pay & benefits & careers. Their units will lose key players & missions will be disrupted causing irreparable harm. Jennifer Levi GLAD Law Senior Director of Transgender & Queer Rights stated, “The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the military ban to go into effect is devastating for the thousands of qualified transgender servicemembers who have met the standards & are serving honorably, putting their lives on the line for their country every single day. Today’s decision only adds to the chaos & destruction caused by this administration. It’s not the end of the case, but the havoc it will wreak is devastating & irreparable. History will confirm the weight of the injustice done today.” Shannon Minter NCLR Legal Director concluded, “The Court has upended the lives of thousands of servicemembers without even the decency of explaining why. As a result of this decision, reached without benefit of full briefing or argument, brave troops who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country will be targeted & forced into harsh administrative separation process usually reserved for misconduct. They have proven themselves time & time again & met the same standards as every other soldier, deploying in critical positions around the globe. This is a deeply sad day for our country.” 
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Franklin E. Kameny Centennial Event

In honor of Frank Kameny’s 100th birthday 100 demonstrators will raise candles in activism & remembrance on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 21st from 11:15A to 2P. They will be joined by prominent national LGBTQ leaders carrying picket signs, many of which will include messages from the early iconic LGBTQ protests. This event is a historic celebration organized by LGBT History Month in collaboration with national partner organizations. Franklin E. Kameny was the chief strategist & founder of the LGBTQ civil rights movement. A first-generation American who was born in NYC May 21st 1925 Kameny became a decorated World War II veteran & earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He made enumerable lifelong contributions to LGBTQ equality. Kameny fought to overturn the ban on gay & lesbians in federal employment & filed the first LGBTQ equality brief with the United States Supreme Court. He cofounded organizations that would become the National LGBTQ Task Force & the Washington Blade. He led seminal protests & coined the slogan “Gay Is Good” at a time when LGBTQ people were vilified as deviants. He waged a successful effort to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness. He remained a prominent activist until his death in 2011. Honorary National Co-Chairs of this event are Senator Tammy Baldwin the first out U.S. Senator & Jim Obergefell the Supreme Court Marriage Equality Plaintiff as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of marriage equality this year. 100 activists & national leaders will hold vintage picket signs and 100 flameless birthday candles at the Supreme Court to honor Kameny & demonstrate the unity of the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement. WATCH  
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NEA Future Funding Challenged

The current administration proposes the full elimination of the National Endowment For The Arts (NEA) in their budget to Congress for 2026. The Creative Coalition, dedicated to advancing the arts as a fundamental pillar of American society opposes this shortsightedness & urges Congress to reject it by preserving funding for the NEA for the upcoming fiscal year. Tim Daly, President of The Creative Coalition stated, “The arts are not a luxury; they are a necessity for a thriving society. Alongside preserving & spreading our cultural heritage, arts exposure results in higher academic achievement, social cohesion & mental wellness. NEA-supported programs bring these benefits through visual arts, music, theater & dance to American communities. Slashing arts funding would endanger not only these benefits but also the cultural legacy we pass on to future generations.” Robin Bronk, CEO of the Creative Coalition concluded, “Defunding the arts isn’t just a cultural loss — it’s a fiscal mistake. When the NEA makes a $1 investment, it returns $9 to the community in lipstick, lumber & light bulbs. If we eliminate the NEA, we risk losing the community centers & arts entrepreneurs, not in big cities, but on Main Streets in small towns all across this country. We urge lawmakers to protect this essential investment in our identity, economy & future.” Additionally, the NEA is a grassroots investment in the arts & culture industry as well as one of America’s highest-value exports that results in a $22.6 billion trade surplus. Founded in 1989 The Creative Coalition is the nation’s premier nonprofit org dedicated to advancing the arts as a fundamental pillar of American society. For More Info… 

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HHS Report Challenges Trans Youth Care

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has released a 400-page report entitled “Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria” attempting to discredit gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The report comes at the request of the new administration through an executive order seeking to ban lifesaving medical care for transgender people. Sinead Murano-Kinney, Health Policy Analyst at Advocates for Trans Equality stated, “This report, initiated by the Trump administration’s January 28th Executive Order, is a deeply ideological & politically motivated distortion of scientific evidence. It lacks the substantial time, rigorous & objective assessments & strong methodological tools that literature reviews require & it fails to maintain even a thin veneer of intellectual rigor or objectivity. Public health policy should be achieved through evidence-based constructions of policy, not policy-based constructions of evidence. Although it has become nakedly clear that scientific integrity is not valued by this administration.” Caleb Smith, Center for American Progress added, “This report wants so badly to be mistaken for expertise—but that’s impossible for 400 pages of rambling, incoherent, dangerous propaganda that waxes poetic about conversion therapy & anti-trans activists. Let’s follow the science here. Gender-affirming care is evidence-based, life-saving care. No politically motivated MAGA report can change that.” Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD’s President & CEO concluded, “A report in the suggestion that someone’s authentic self & who they are can be ‘changed’ is discredited junk science. This so-called guidance is grossly misleading & in direct contrast to the recommendation of every leading health authority in the world. This report amounts to nothing more than forcing the same discredited idea of conversion therapy that ripped families apart & harmed gay, lesbian & bisexual young people for decades.” 
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Boston Spirit Annual Networking Event

The 17th annual Boston Spirit Executive Networking Night returns for an evening of networking & conversation on May 14th at the Marriott Boston Copley Place from 6P to 9P. This is a very special event to join more than 1,000 corporate professionals & 50 exhibitors for a great night of networking. There will also be a powerful panel presentation with leaders from the nonprofit world & government for an important discussion addressing our LGBTQ community. David Zimmerman, Publisher of Boston Spirit Magazine stated, “This year we have a remarkable panel presentation planned for the event. In response to the recent wave of anti-LGBT legislation & Executive Orders, Boston Spirit has assembled a panel of national leaders to inspire hope, to report on what they are doing to fight for LGBT rights & equality & to give us all a much-needed boost of energy & excitement as we continue to stand up for what is right!” The panel will include Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Ricardo Martinez GLAD Executive Director, JoDee Winterhof HRC Vice President Legislative Affairs & ACLU attorney James Esseks. There is no other event in New England that is similar to Boston Spirit’s Executive Networking Night event & this promises to be a very special, important night & one not to miss. Many of the attending exhibitors are also hiring so if you are in the market for a new career be sure to bring resumes & business cards. There will also be free appetizers & a cash bar. To attend you must register as we all come together & show our power & resilience. 
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Janis Ian Film Brings Us Back & Forward

In this new must-see documentary “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence” available on VOD platforms April 29th, director Varda Bar-Kar takes the audience on an intimate journey over decades from Ian’s perspective. Through Janis’s narrative, archival footage, dramatic reenactments & celebrity interviews an important retrospect is presented for our viewing consumption. I first became aware of Janis Ian in 1965 with her hit single "Society's Child" a song about an interracial relationship written & recorded by Ian when she was just 13 which was later featured on her debut album in 1967 with cover art above by Joseph Solman. The film begins with an introduction by Leonard Bernstein who learned of Ian after she performed "Society's Child" at “The Gaslight” during the vibrant Greenwich Village music scene of 1960’s. The intro was part of a segment of “Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution” a 1967 CBS television special about new pop music. The documentary then addresses the turbulent civil rights movement of our past, through Vietnam War protests & into the current wave of achieving equality for all. One of the most significant factor in this documentary is showing a talented female artist's lifelong survival in this world by staying true to their art & themselves. There are notable interviews with Joan Baez, Lily Tomlin, Jean Smart, Laurie Metcalf & many more Janis encountered during her journey. Janis Ian won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1976 for “At Seventeen” & her 2nd Grammy Award in 2013 at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony for Best Spoken Word Album for her audio book "Society's Child” when I talked to her about her career in this exclusive audio interview. LISTEN 
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Drama Desk Awards Benefit Event

The 2025 Annual Drama Desk Awards benefitting the Entertainment Community Fund have announced that stage & screen stars Debra Messing & Tituss Burgess will host the event that takes place on Sunday June 1st at NYU Skirball 566 LaGuardia Place in NYC beginning at 6:15P. The creative team for this year’s Drama Desk Awards has also been announced. Lorin Latarro (The Who’s Tommy; The Heart of Rock and Roll; The Producers in the West End) returns as director of the evening and Steve Rosen & David Rossmer (The Other Josh Cohen) will again be writing the show. Musical direction is by Dan Lipton, lighting design is by Abby May, production management & sound design is by Five Ohm & video design is by Ido Levran (The Lifespan of a Fact), Ira Mont (Jagged Little Pill) is the production stage manager. Co-Executive Producers Staci Levine & Jessica R. Jenen stated, “We are absolutely thrilled that Debra Messing & Tituss Burgess are hosting this year’s Drama Desk Awards, along with a stellar creative team led by Lorin Latarro. The Drama Desk Awards are a very special event, celebrating the entire theater community. With all net proceeds donated to the Entertainment Community Fund, the Drama Desk Awards benefit the very community being celebrated." The Drama Desk Awards are the only major NYC theater awards for which productions on Broadway, Off Broadway & Off-Off Broadway compete against each other in the same categories honoring all aspects of New York’s professional theater. The Drama Desk Nominations will be announced on Wednesday April 30th. 
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Mamie Van Doren Feature Documentary

It’s been announced that a new documentary is in the works about the life of one of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars Mamie Van Doren who is on board as executive producer. The film entitled “Mamie Exposed! The Life & Loves of the Last Blonde Bombshell” is the first authorized documentary of the legendary Van Doren & is being produced by Alan Eichler, Stephen Israel & Marc Saltarelli who also directs. This is the same team that brought audiences the award-winning 2024 documentary “Studio One Forever.” Van Doren stated, “I have been fiercely private my whole life & at 94 I’ve decided to throw caution to the wind & reveal intimacies, secrets & never before shared moments from my incredible life as the last original Hollywood Blonde Bombshell. Marc Saltarelli & his exceptional team are truly talented stewards of my documentary life story. Together we’re going to reveal & celebrate a provocative, entertaining, & indelible life journey.” Marc Saltarelli concluded, “It’s an absolute honor to collaborate with the magnificent Mamie Van Doren to tell her life story – for the first time authorized for the big screen. She’s a true Hollywood trailblazer & pioneer silver screen goddess. I can’t wait to celebrate her uncompromising life & also share many surprising moments that the public has never been privy too before.” Still dynamically engaged with contemporary culture into her 90’s Van Doren has an active online presence. In 2024 she released the bestselling single with orchestral band Pink Martini "I told ya I love ya, now get out!" on Heinz Records. The film currently in production will be completed by the end of 2025.
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Victory Fund DC National Brunch Event

Tim Gunn will be joining U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride & U.S. Rep. Mark Takano at the Victory Fund’s National Champagne Brunch that takes place Sunday April 27th at The Ritz Carlton Washington, DC from 11A to 2P. Tim as the beloved mentor from Project Runway is a champion of self-expression & a powerful voice for authenticity. Now he’s bringing his wisdom, charm & signature “make it work” attitude to Victory Fund’s biggest event of the year. Other feature speakers will also include U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, U.S. Rep. Emily Randall, U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, California Attorney General Rob Bonta & Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. In these challenging times this is more than a fabulous event it’s a call to action. Victory Fund is working tirelessly to elect & support LGBTQ leaders at every level of government as they ensure our voices are heard where decisions are made. Your attendance helps fuel that mission & empowers the next generation of LGBTQ candidates. At a time when our rights are under attack & our democracy hangs in the balance LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is fighting back as the only national organization working to elect out LGBTQ leaders at all levels of government who will stand up for us in the halls of power. The Victory Fund recruits, trains & supports pro-choice LGBTQ candidates who will make a difference in our communities. Since 1991 LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has helped elect thousands of LGBTQ people to positions at all levels of government. These LGBTQ voices have made significant contributions to advancing equality for LGBTQ Americans from passing non-discrimination laws to defeating amendments to ban marriage equality. 
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Stonewall National Museum Events

Rita Mae Brown author of the 1973 autobiographical classic novel “Rubyfruit Jungle” will be the star of 2 exclusive Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library events during Wilton Women’s Week & Lesbian Visibility Week. Both events take place on Sunday April 27th starting with ‘Here’s to the Ladies Who Brunch’ that takes place starting at 11:30A followed by 'An Afternoon with Rita Mae Brown’ from 2P to 3:30P at the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Funds raised will help further support efforts by The Stonewall National Women's Fund to ensure parity between women & men in the archives, library, programing & exhibitions on a national scale. Every story needs to be told if we are truly respective of our history & culture. The Women's Fund operates chapters across the country. I met Rita Mae Brown when I escorted her to a Gay & Lesbian fundraiser back in the 1980’s in NYC. Now 80 Rita isn’t slowing down, actually just last month she helped launch Stonewall National Museum’s The Banned Aide Project a social media campaign banding people together to “free” banned books locked out of America’s public schools & libraries. Brown has received multiple accolades including the Writer’s Guild of America Award for I Love Liberty. In 2015 she received the Lambda Literary Pioneer Award for her LGBT+ literature & the Lee Lynch Classic Book Award. Attendees of these fabulous events will get a one-of-a-kind personal look into Brown’s career as an author, a life-long activist & the importance of continuing to fight for an equal future for all. 
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Reflections Of Pope Francis Passing

Waking up to the news of Pope Francis passing I felt an immediate loss of one of the last compassionate gatekeepers on Earth. The first news I heard from our LGBTQ community was from the UK’s Peter Tatchell Foundation. Tatchell stated, “I extend my condolences to Catholics worldwide on the passing of Pope Francis. While we often disagreed on issues of LGBT+ rights, I acknowledge his more compassionate tone towards sexual minorities. His recent moves to allow blessings for same-sex couples, albeit with limitations, signaled a small but significant shift in Church doctrine.” Then I turned on “Good Morning America” to see a segment with Father James Martin, S.J. the founder of Outreach & the editor at large of America Media who shared his documentary “Building a Bridge” with our global OUTTAKE VOICES™ audience in 2022. I talked to Martin about his 2019 meeting with Pope Francis in our podcast when he & Pope Francis discussed LGBTQ issues. When Martin asked Pope Francis “Holy Father, is there anything I can do for you?” Pope Francis replied, “Yes, you can continue your ministry—in peace.” Today James Martin, S.J. reflected on Pope Francis’ request stating, “I have tried to do that ever since & will try to continue to do so, now with his prayers. Thank you, Pope Francis, for your kindness to me, for your kindness to our LGBTQ brothers & sisters & for your kindness to millions of people around the world. May you rest in peace with the Father who loved you into being; with Jesus, in whose Society you labored for so long & with the Holy Spirit, whose voice you listened to in the lives of those who prayed for a pope who would finally listen to them.” LISTEN  
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American Revolution 250th Anniversary

In the midst of America’s Constitutional Crisis, in Massachusetts where our freedom in this country began, we're celebrating our historic 250th anniversary of the first battles of the American Revolution on this epic Patriots’ Day Weekend. Massachusetts is celebrating this milestone with events that honor unity, history & the enduring spirit of revolution & liberty. Governor Maura Healey stated, “This anniversary is a chance for Massachusetts to remind the world where the fight for liberty began. Patriots’ Day weekend invites us all to reflect on our past, honor those who stood for freedom & celebrate the values that continue to shape our democracy today. We welcome everyone to experience this historic occasion and take pride in the state’s enduring legacy as the place where liberty lives.” Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll added, “This Patriots’ Day, we’re not just looking back, we’re rallying together to celebrate the revolutionary spirit that still defines Massachusetts. It’s a chance for all of us to share in the story, the energy & the pride of being part of something bigger.” Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism concluded, “Massachusetts will be the place to be this Patriots’ Day weekend. Whether you are stepping back in time at a Revolutionary War reenactment, diving into our vibrant cultural celebrations or cheering on runners at the iconic Boston Marathon, there’s no better time to explore all the history, energy & hometown pride our state has to offer. Come be a tourist in your own backyard or make Massachusetts your Revolutionary destination.” The 250th American Revolution Anniversary weekend events include reenactments, parades & the 129th Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon concludes the weekend 250th anniversary celebration on Monday April 21st.
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New Book Addressing Solidarity (AUDIO)

This week I talked with award-winning writer Sarah Schulman about her new book “The Fantasy & Necessity of Solidarity” published by Penguin Random House. Schulman is a longtime social activist from the fight for abortion rights in post-Franco Spain to NYC’s AIDS activism in the 1990s to campus protest movements against Israel’s war on Gaza & beyond bringing her own experience growing up as a queer female artist in male-dominated culture industries. In these challenging times with our democracy at a moral crossroad this must-read book couldn’t be more timely. For those who seek to combat injustice, solidarity with the oppressed is one of the highest ideals yet it does not come without complication. In this searing yet uplifting book Sarah delves into the intricate & often misunderstood concept of solidarity to provide a new vision for what it means to engage in this work & why it matters. Here in America with the new administration we’re beginning to understand & realize that the only people that will save us from this authoritarian regime are ourselves. Drawing parallels between queer, Jewish, feminist & artistic struggles for justice Schulman challenges the traditional notion of solidarity as a simple union of equals arguing that in today’s world of globalized power structures true solidarity requires the collaboration of bystanders & conflicted perpetrators with the excluded & oppressed. Currently in America we are learning that action comes at a cost & it is not always as effective as we would like it to be but doing nothing is far more dangerous. I talked to Sarah about these current issues & her inspiration for writing “The Fantasy & Necessity of Solidarity”. LISTEN  
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San Francisco Show Of Hope Gala Event

San Francisco Community Health Center’s Show of Hope Gala fundraising event takes place on Friday April 18th at Hyatt Regency San Francisco, CA. This will be a fabulous & unforgettable evening honoring community, cultivating resilience & inspiring hope. Funds will benefit San Francisco Community Health Center’s lifesaving services. The event will honor Toni Newman with their Health Justice Champion Award. Toni is a celebrated author, advocate & inspirational figure whose life & work has left an indelible mark on our community & beyond. Juanita More! & Mr. David Giamamore will receive the Arts & Activism Award. Juanita has helped raise over a million dollars for local charities & Code Tenderloin will receive the Community Impact Award for their work breaking down employment barriers for marginalized communities in San Francisco. Since 2015 Code Tenderloin has helped 18,000+ individuals gain skills, find jobs & build brighter futures. There will be a special performance by Ada Vox & the Gala Emcee will be ABC7’s Reggi Aqui. San Francisco Community Health Center attends to the health & wellness of the communities that define San Francisco including immigrants & communities of color, queer, trans, unhoused people & all of us who are most impacted by oppression through comprehensive medical, dental & mental health services. They believe that healthcare starts with healing justice & meeting the basic needs of our communities. Their culturally informed services are designed by the very people they serve. More important than ever this is a time to come together & celebrate our community moving forward in these challenging times. 
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Community Servings New AMPL Institute

Community Servings is launching the AMPL Institute combining the nonprofit’s 35 years of expertise & excellence in providing medically tailored nutrition with rigorous research, policy work & provider education. The launch reception event takes place April 29th at the Markell Conference Center at Mass General Brigham at Assembly Row in Somerville MA from 3:30P to 6:30P. David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings stated, “Through the AMPL Institute, we will build on our decades of experience serving the community & add to our bounty of research showing the health & economic benefits of medically tailored meals. We will explore new ideas & find new ways of serving as we continue to advocate strongly for system change that will increase access to nutrition for those in need, regardless of their illness, location or ability to pay.” The event will feature a keynote from Dr. Toyin Ajayi, Co-founder & CEO of Cityblock Health along with an expert panel discussion on the state & future of Food is Medicine with leading voices in research, healthcare & policy. Jean Terranova, Senior Director of Policy & Research at Community Servings concluded, “Along with our ongoing service work that gives us a deep understanding of the individual needs of the communities we serve, we are equally focused on the broader health landscape through our commitment to impacting policy & our partnerships with others in healthcare, academia, community service & government. Above all, the evidence that access to healthy, nutritious foods can improve health, change lives & reshape the way we treat chronic illness in America is what motivates our work.” I talked to David B. Waters about the work of Community Servings back in 2011. LISTEN  
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Heart Royal Flush Tour Rocks Boston

I’ve been a big fan of Heart since my brother gave me their “Dreamboat Annie” album & I taught myself Nancy Wilson’s lead guitar licks to “Crazy On You” on my telecaster. When I saw that they were performing in Boston last summer I was so sorry to hear that the tour has been cancelled due to Ann Wilson’s cancer diagnosis but was very relieved to hear of her recovery & that the tour was rescheduled for 2025. I bought tickets for their performance at Agganis Arena in Boston & last night for 2 hours I forgot all my problems & rocked out with thousands of fans that filled the venue. Ann Wilson is now cancer-free & her voice along with sister Nancy Wilson were stellar for these Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. I was blown away by their performance beginning with Bebe Le Strange, Never, Magic Man, Love Alive, Little Queen, Straight On / Let's Dance, These Dreams, Crazy on You, Dog & Butterfly, Dreamboat Annie, Going to California (Led Zeppelin cover), 4 Edward (Nancy Wilson cover), Mistral Wind & Alone / What About Love followed by an encore of Sand (Lovemongers cover), The Ocean (Led Zeppelin cover) & closing the show with Barracuda with an extended guitar intro. The band Heart has sold over 35 million records & Heart Royal Flush Tour features Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, Ryan Wariner, Ryan Waters, Paul Moak, Tony Lucido & Sean T Lane. Special guests include bands Cheap Trick, Squeeze & Lucinda Williams. This is Rock Royality indeed so don’t miss this tour. 
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The Center Visibility Rose Room Event

The Center is hosting a fabulous celebration of artistry, community & the power of visibility with an unforgettable night as The Rose Room will be transformed for an exciting fundraiser on April 24th from 6P to 9P in NYC. This unforgettable night of glamour, allure & celebration will present a dazzling burlesque show in honor of Lesbian Visibility Week bringing together fierce performances, dazzling costumes & electrifying energy featuring Medianoche, Witch Tulips, Miss Frankie Eleanor, Kalon Wilde & DJ Hi-Jinx. The Center’s first-ever burlesque event is set to be an unforgettable night as part of their ongoing commitment to expanding women-focused programming. The Rose Room is more than a show as this exciting fundraiser will shine a spotlight on the LGBTQ community with proceeds from the evening helping to ensure that The Center can continue to provide support to our community. The Center was established in 1983 at the height of the AIDS crisis to provide a safe & affirming place for LGBTQ New Yorkers to respond to the urgent threats facing the community. Over the past 40 years The Center has grown to meet the changing needs of New York’s LGBTQ community delivering services that empower people to lead healthy successful lives. Operating in-person & virtually The Center provides recovery & wellness programs, economic advancement initiatives, family & youth support, advocacy, arts & cultural programming & space for community organizing, connection, & celebration. The Center is located at 208 West 13th Street in NYC & tickets for The Rose Room fundraising event start at $50. 
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Elton John AIDS Foundation Polo Benefit

The second annual Polotini Wigstock Party benefitting the Elton John AIDS Foundation takes place Friday April 25th at the Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame in Palm Beach County, Florida. Last year’s event raised more than 100K with proceeds directly supporting the Foundation’s global mission to end AIDS particularly through its Rocket Fund which focuses on aiding those most at risk including members of our LGBTQ community. Chip McKenney, GPL Founder & President stated, “Since our inception, the GPL International Gay Polo Tournament has championed inclusivity in sports while fostering a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ athletes & fans worldwide. Our continued partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation underscores our dedication to leveraging sport as a vehicle for positive social change and awareness.” Lucretia Gilbert, Chief Philanthropy Officer of the Elton John AIDS Foundation concluded, “We are excited to be the charitable beneficiary of the Gay Polo League for the second year in a row. We share a vision of a world where the LGBTQ+ community can be inspired & empowered to be who they are, no matter where they are - whether it's on the world stage or the Polo field.” As nearly 2,000 people converge in Palm Beach County to attend Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament’s whirlwind of events that runs April 24th to 26th Polotini WIGSTOCK! stands out as one of the most unique & exciting highlights of the season with a dazzling array of fashion, entertainment & culinary delights merging a fun-filled celebration with a profound social impact. 
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