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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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US House Education & Workforce Team

When the House Republican Steering Committee selected Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) as the chairman of the House Committee on Education & Workforce for the 119th Congress back in December I was encouraged. Rep. Walberg stated, “We have significant work ahead of us, from enshrining protections for parents to continuing to protect Jewish students on college campuses to rights providing more opportunity & flexibility to American workers. Freedom, opportunity & fairness will guide our work as we deliver results for America. Let’s get to work!” Then yesterday I heard that in the midst of the economy chaos House Republicans advanced H.R. 2616 & H.R. 2617 that will take power away from local schools & place teachers into a position where they cannot acknowledge the existence of LGBTQ America citizens & must ‘out’ vulnerable students. Laurel Powell, HRC Communications Director concluded, “Instead of putting our dangerous President in check & tackling the American economy’s freefall, House Republicans showed where their priorities lie - giving airtime to junk science & trying to pass more anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Forcing teachers to ‘out’ trans youth rather than supporting them in coming out to their families & demanding that schools ignore the trans students who sit in their classrooms is a craven attempt to distract people from economic disaster by vilifying children. Even as they fire people whose jobs were to make sure schools have the resources they need, the Trump administration & their allies in Congress continue to attack vulnerable young people to score points with the far right.” 
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Boston Bayard Rustin Community Event

The 35th annual Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast will return to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum on April 12th with former Biden Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre delivering the Keynote Address. Jean-Pierre stated, “I’m honored to join Fenway Health in celebrating Bayard Rustin’s legacy & the ongoing fight for equity in health care, civil rights & LGBTQ+ justice. Bayard Rustin’s life & work reminds us that justice requires both courage & community. His unwavering commitment to equality continues to inspire generations of activists & leaders including myself.” Jean-Pierre is the first Black person, the first openly LGBTQ person & the longest-serving woman ever to hold the job of White House Press Secretary. Jordina Shanks Fenway Health CEO concluded, “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Karine to this year’s Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast. Her story is one of persistence, power & purpose & I can’t think of anyone better to help us imagine the road ahead.” During the program Fenway Health will also present the Belynda A. Dunn Award for Activism posthumously to A. Cornelius Baker & the Bayard Rustin Award for Courage to Dr. Cassandra Pierre honoring their extraordinary contributions to our community. Founded in 1990 by the AIDS Action Committee now a division of Fenway Health the Bayard Rustin Community Breakfast serves as a beacon of HIV/AIDS awareness, advocacy & support for LGBTQ individuals, communities of color & dedicated allies. The event is free but registration is required. The event honors the legacy of Bayard Rustin who was the architect of the 1963 March on Washington but was publicly marginalized because he was a gay man. In 2015 I talked to Walter Naegle, Rustin's last partner about Bayard in this exclusive soundbyte. LISTEN 
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Right To Bear Arts Day Events & Gala

The Creative Coalition is heading to Capitol Hill on April 25th for their annual Right To Bear Arts Day making the case that investing in the arts fuels economic growth, job creation & thriving local communities in these challenging times. With a strategic plan in place The Creative Coalition’s delegation is prepared to champion the economic, educational & social benefits of the arts directly with lawmakers led by The Creative Coalition’s President & Actor Tim Daly & CEO Robin Bronk. Tim Daly stated, “The arts are not just a cultural asset—they are a cornerstone of economic growth & national prosperity. The arts sector generated over $1.1 trillion in 2022, accounting for 4.3% of the US GDP. More than 3.48 million Americans rely on arts-related jobs. Investing in the arts is one of the most effective ways to drive economic growth, job creation & innovation.” Robin Bronk concluded, “Every $1 invested in the arts generates nearly $9 in economic activity—fueling job creation, small business growth & community development. Yet, federal arts funding remains a fraction of a percent of the national budget. Supporting the arts isn’t charity—it’s sound economic policy. Strong arts programs correlate with lower crime rates, thriving local economies & higher student achievement. It’s time for policymakers to recognize the arts as a national priority.” Immediately after Right To Bear Arts Day The Creative Coalition will host the 24th Annual Right To Bear Arts Benefit Gala Dinner. I talked to Robin in this exclusive 2011 interview about The Creative Coalition & as a fierce ally her spin in on our LGBTQ issues. LISTEN  
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Kate Kendell To Lead Gill Foundation

The Gill Foundation has announced that Kate Kendell will be their new CEO effective on May 7th. Kendell the former Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) was a key architect on a wide range of legal & policy victories for our community including marriage equality, nondiscrimination protections, protection of undocumented immigrants & asylees, the rights of incarcerated individuals, transgender rights & the needs of youth & elders. She was also Interim Co-Legal Director at the Southern Poverty Law Center & served as the first Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Utah. Most recently Kate served as Chief of Staff at the California Endowment working to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals & communities. Kendell stated, “At this critical juncture for our movement, our nation & the Gill Foundation, I feel inexorably pulled to do whatever I can. I spent 25 years at the forefront of the LGBTQ movement at a time of breathtaking gains. We now face a ferocious backlash & I cannot imagine a way to make a greater impact than to help lead the Gill Foundation at a moment that will define our legacy.” Tim Gill & Scott Miller added, “Kate brings with her not only a remarkable legacy of LGBTQ advocacy, but a deep belief in the dignity & potential of every American—values at the heart of everything we do at the Gill Foundation.” The Gill Foundation supports nonprofit orgs in the United States working to bring about full equality for LGBTQ people. I talked to Kate in this exclusive sound byte about her commitment to our LGBTQ equality when she was Executive Director of NCLR. LISTEN 
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Colorado Changemaker Award Honorees

The 2025 Changemaker Awards recognize outstanding individuals & organizations that have made a lasting impact on Colorado’s LGBTQ community. This years’ recipients are Nadine Bridges executive director of One Colorado & Social Venture Partners Boulder County. Mardi Moore, CEO of Rocky Mountain Equality stated, “At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under attack across the country, the work of dedicated individuals & organizations is even more important. Nadine Bridges has spent her career breaking down barriers & ensuring our community is protected, empowered, & heard. SVP Boulder County has been a steadfast supporter of the nonprofit sector, strengthening organizations that directly improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Both of these honorees embody what it means to be changemakers & we are proud to recognize their incredible contributions.” Nadine Bridges added, “I am honored to receive the Individual Changemaker Award from Rocky Mountain Equality. As a Black, Queer woman, leading Colorado’s statewide LGBTQIA+ advocacy work, I do not take this honor lightly. This recognition comes with the understanding that my success is a reflection of so many who came before me & as well as those who are still pushing for justice.” Joshua Silberstein, CEO of SVP Boulder County concluded, “We feel honored & grateful to be recognized by such an amazing nonprofit that has made our community kinder & stronger. Now more than ever we need to support & stand up for our LGBTQ+ family, friends, neighbors & community members.” Since 2000 SVP has provided $1.7 million in grants & $7 million in pro bono consulting, supporting hundreds of nonprofits including many that serve the LGBTQ+ community. Rocky Mountain Equality strives to create a more inclusive & equitable society. 
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