For Gay Pride Month, and for the first time ever, the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Democratic political clubs have united to collaborate on a single fundraising event. “Kick Off Pride: Kick Out Bush” will bring together L.G.B.T. activists from around the city to work towards defeating President Bush, who has introduced a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
The speaker will be Chrissy Gephardt, openly lesbian daughter of former presidential candidate Representative Dick Gephardt and spokesperson for the National Stonewall Democrats.
The event will be held Thurs., June 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Avalon dance club (formerly Limelight), 49 W. 20th St. (enter on 20th St.). There is a $20 minimum donation that is suggested but not required. The event is sponsored by the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens, Guillermo Vasquez Independent Democratic Club of Queens, Lambda Democrats of Bronx County, OutPOCPAC and Pride Democrats. Proceeds will benefit Kerry for President and the National Stonewall Democrats.
On June 10, Comptroller William Thompson hosted a Pride Reception — co-sponsored by Empire State Pride Agenda and the Human Rights Campaign — at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center at 208 W. 13th St.
The comptroller’s honorees included John Tartaglia, Tony-nominated actor from “Avenue Q;” Richard Burns, executive director of the L.G.B.T. Community Center; Gary English, executive director of People of Color in Crisis; Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, assistant commissioner of the H.I.V./AIDS Bureau, New York City Department of Health and Mental Health and Hygiene; Barbara Ann Perina, community activist; and Vivian Rodriguez, president of the Gay Officers Action League.
Scott Melvin, the L.G.B.T. Caucus of the City Council — Margarita Lopez, Christine Quinn and Phil Reed — and City Council Speaker Gifford Miller hosted the New York City Council Pride Reception on June 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Broadway and TV star Malcolm Gets was master of ceremonies. There was a special musical performance by Rod the Puppet and John Tartaglia from “Avenue Q.”
Senate Democratic Leader David Paterson and the New York State Senate Democratic Conference will hold their 2004 Pride Awards Ceremony June 24, at 5:30 p.m. inside City Hall.
The emcee will be John Cameron Mitchell, creator of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and director of the upcoming film “Shortbus.”
Special L.G.B.T. Senate Civil Rights Award honorees will include San Francicso Mayor Gavin Newsom; Harvey Fierstein, three-time Tony-Award winner — award presented by AIDS activist and playwright Larry Kramer — Laura Linney, star of Broadway’ s “Sight Unseen” and the movie “Mystic River;” Alan Cumming, Tony-Award winner — award presented by John Blair; Mark Benoit, gay rights activist and political consultant; Lisa Cannistraci, lesbian activist and owner of Henrietta Hudson and The Chick Inn; Ronald Johnson, associate executive director of Gay Men’s Health Crisis; Catherine Pino, co-chairperson of the Hetrick-Martin Institute and deputy director of the Carnegie Corporation, New York; Joyce Randolph, who played Trixie Norton on “The Honeymooners;” Mayor Jason West, of New Paltz, NY — award presented by John Blair; John Tartaglia of “Avenue Q;” and actor Christopher Sieber.
