Zelma Davis, Pepper MaShay, Sir Ari Gold, Erika Jayne, Sylvia Tosun, Drag start, Electra St. Jill and the cast of "My Big Gay Italian Wedding" and DJ Chi Chi LaRue to entertain. Honorary Chairs: Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Bebe Neuwirth
New York, NY, February 14, 2011 — The Imperial Court of New York and Emperor XIX Jack & Empress XXIV Farrah Moans will host the 25th Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns, an extravagant anniversary charity event on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Time Square's Marriott Marquis Hotel. This year's Charity Ball and Silent Auction will benefit The Trevor Project and the Ali Forney Center
In these most trying times, with many thinking twice about being as generous as they once were, and with government grant budgets being cut, nonprofit agencies are being severely affected. But challenging times need not be joyless times.
Celebrating diversity with humor, heart and humanitarianism, the Imperial Court of New York will once again put the "fun in fundraising." Over 1,000 people will attend the ball from all around the United States and abroad--among them, some of New York's most fashionable. Because of its special brand of "community service with flair," the event will be a "night to remember."
For over twenty five years, NOATG has been unmatched in its extravagance and outrageous glamour and has become the fundraising event of the LGBT social calendar.
The Court members, who morph into majestic personages, in evening gowns or white tie and tails, and royal splendor times-a-thousand, are mostly men — all dressed up for a good cause! But while drag is the theme, guests may enjoy any gender—even their own—at this formal affair.
The main event of the Ball is the midnight coronation of the next Imperial Court Monarchs. The star-studded event will feature Broadway-caliber entertainment, a full-course dinner, Viennese Dessert Buffet, open bar, dancing, and a silent auction.
Over 160 Court members from all walks of life contribute their various talents and expertise to each event they stage. Throughout the year, they offer free performances for shut-ins at AIDS hospices (as part of LIFEbeat's Hearts & Voices program); produce and host fundraising events from club shows, karaoke nights, and drag tag sales, to social events, culminating in the grandest event of all — the Night of a Thousand Gowns Charity Ball and Silent Auction.
This year's Honorary Chairs include: Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Bebe Neuwirth.
The event (at present) is sponsored by: Google, Absolut Vodka, Coca-Cola, Miller/Coors, TD Bank, Bioscrip Pharmacies, Next Magazine, OURsceneTV.com, OURSceneTV, OUTimpact and 1-800-Postcards.
For additional information and photos please contact: Jason Frye — 917.648.5795 or jfrye@equinoxfitness.com
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The Imperial Court of New York, a 501(c)3 corporation, is New York's most regal fundraising organization serving the LGBT Community for the past 22 years. Part of a proud tradition, the Court has raised over a million dollars for charitable organizations including: ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) LIFEbeat (Music Industry Fights AID), Children's Hope Foundation, Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, Bailey House, amFar's Treatment Register, Body Positive, and Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, among many others. www.icny.org
2011 Beneficiaries:
The Ali Forney Center:
As the visibility of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people grows in our society, more and more LGBT teens are finding the courage to come out of the closet. Tragically, as many as 25% of these teens are rejected by their families, and many end up homeless on the streets. Homeless LGBT teens are more likely than straight homeless teens
to be subjected to violence on the streets, and in the homeless shelter system. They suffer from inordinate rates of mental illness, trauma, HIV infection and substance abuse.
The Ali Forney Center (AFC) was started in June of 2002 in response to the lack of safe shelter for LGBT youth in New York City. We are committed to providing these young people with safe, dignified, nurturing environments where their needs can be met, and where they can begin to put their lives back together.
AFC is dedicated to promoting awareness of the plight of homeless LGBT youth in the United States with the goal of generating responses on local and national levels from government funders, foundations, and the LGBT community. www.aliforneycenter.org
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. It operates the only accredited, nationwide, around-the clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Project was founded by writer James Lecesne, director/producer Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. When Trevor was scheduled to air on HBO® in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program's teen viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor, and began to search for an appropriate support line to broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed, and decided to dedicate themselves to forming what was, in their view, a much-needed resource: an organization to promote acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group. Thus, The Trevor Project was born, and with seed funding provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation, The Trevor Helpline was established and became the first and only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
Today, in addition to operating the crisis and suicide prevention helpline, The Trevor Project provides online support to young people through the organization's Web site, and also provides lifesaving guidance and vital resources to educators and parents. www.thetrevorproject.org
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