FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2008
HUDSON VALLEY LGBTQ CENTER'S
FEBRUARY 9 GALA FUNDRAISING DINNER
AT HILLSIDE MANOR RAISES $35,000
ACTOR, PLAYWRIGHT, SCREENWRITER HARVEY FIERSTEIN
URGES ATTENDEES OF SOLD-OUT EVENT
TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
KINGSTON, NY (Feb. 9) A sold-out audience of 250 people attended the first annual gala fundraising dinner for The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center on February 9 at Hillside Manor in Kingston. The event was sponsored by Ulster Savings Bank.
"Our Catered Affair" dinner and dance featured an awards ceremony and live and silent auction. In total, more than $35,000 was raised during the evening, which will further the efforts of The Center to provide education, support, social services, advocacy, and community events for the Hudson Valley's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer population.
"Our first annual fundraiser was a success on all counts," said Ginny Apuzzo, President of the Center board. "The community came out in full force to support us, as did our straight allies. From the silent auction to the awards ceremony, this was an evening for recognition. Recognition of the hardworking people who energize this community, and recognition of the goals that keep us striving. This event was not only a fiscal success, but a reaffirmation of our commitment and solidarity as LGBTQ people."
Several community leaders were honored with awards. Jason Stern, publisher of Chronogram magazine, received the first Center Ally Award for his long-standing support of the Center's programs and events through advertising partnerships. The first Center Legacy Awards were presented to award-winning screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia, Soldier's Girl and The Painted Veil) and Alternative Video owner Barbara Salzman for their work to establish the Center's extensive LGBTQ film archive. Center members Jack Waite, 94, and his partner of 25 years, Ted Hayes, 77, a Center founder and former Board member were recognized for their untiring support of the Center through the naming of the Center's second floor conference room in their honor: The Hayes-Waite Conference Room.
"You can only imagine how overcome I am with the sheer joy of your recognition." explains Ted Hayes, "If anyone had told me when I came out 30 years ago last Christmas that I would have experienced such people and such a Center in a community where I live, I would have sworn you had been sipping too much egg nog."
The highlight of the evening was an address by Tony Award-winning actor, playwright, and screenwriter Harvey Fierstein—seen most recently on Broadway in the acclaimed musicals, Hairspray and Fiddler on the Roof—as the evening's special guest.
A veteran activist for LGBTQ equality, Fierstein reminded the audience of the highs and lows of the last 50 years of our struggle, from the landmark Mattachine Society of the 50s to the arrival of AIDS in the 80s. While praising the community's impressive accomplishments in our quest for equal rights, Fierstein cautioned people on the downside of complete assimilation.
"Gay people are married in the United States and internationally. We have this life that's so normal and that's when I get frightened. Will we lose our specialness? As every gay person knows, there's a specialness to us."
Auctioneer Fred Mayo spearheaded the silent and live auctions of the evening, which featured items as diverse as travel and gift packages, fine art, and Broadway outings. The auctions raised more than $25,000.
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center was founded in 2005 to advocate and educate on behalf of the LGBTQ community in the Hudson Valley. Since that time, the Center has attracted more than 1,100 dues-paying members and is creating programs to empower the LGBTQ community to achieve their maximum potential. LGBTQ refers to the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of the community served: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. To learn more about the Center, visit http://lgbtqcenter.org/.
ATTENTION MEDIA: For an interview with Center president Ginny Apuzzo, call Craig Burdett at (845) 901-6687.
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center is working to build tomorrows infinitely safer, saner and healthier than our yesterdays. Learn more at http://lgbtqcenter.org/.