Garden Party 25 Preview
The Center kicks off Pride week in Manhattan with the 25th edition of Garden Party on Monday, June 23rd. Come join us on the pier for the premiere LGBT tasting event in the country. Garden Party Emcee Kate Clinton will lead a line up of top entertainment on the mainstage. Go to gaycenter.org/gardenparty to buy tickets, or sign up to volunteer.
This year the Center is celebrating 25 years serving New York’s LGBT Community and will march as grand marshal in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan Pride. The Center will be at pride in all five boroughs, Long Island, and New Jersey. Our theme is 'Meet me at the Center.' You can log on for details at gaycenter.org/pride or e-mail Rob at pride2008@gaycenter.org to volunteer or participate.
NewFest, New York’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Film Festival, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. NewFest Artistic Director, Basil Tsiokos, sat down with Out at the Center to give us a preview of this year’s festival. He spoke about the Gala and Centerpiece films including Tru Loved, Chris and Don, Steam, and Were the World Mine. Tickets for the general public go on sale today: www.newfest.org
In 2003, after Sakia Gunn was murdered in Newark, NJ for rejecting the sexual advances of her killer, both the justice system and the media coverage were extremely limited and sluggish in comparison to that of Matthew Sheppard. Filmmaker Charles Brack and other activists have something to say about the circumstances of her death and what we should be doing to honor Sakia and prevent another tragedy. They spoke with Out at the Center while still working on the film, which is now screening at festivals. You can see it at NewFest in June: www.newfest.org and check the website for more information: www.sakiagunnfilmproject.com
Thanks to everyone who gave generously to support the HIV/AIDS prevention and support services of the Center. We lucked out with the weather and had a sunny morning. We were a smaller group this year, but a very friendly bunch of people. The shirts were a hit – even if gray does not stand out as much as yellow. If you did not a chance to donate yet, you can still do so here:http://gaycenter.org/aidswalk
Two-time Tony Award-winning playwright Edward Albee visited the Center to talk about his work, the course of his career, the art of playwrighting, politics and aging as a gay man in America. David Rothenberg, an original member of the board of the Center in 1983, conducted the interview.
The Center's half-hour show is hosted by Mimi Gonzalez and includes a conversation with Edward Albee; a discussion on queer aging, or Coming Out at 70, with Jonathan Ned Katz, Amber Hollibaugh, Thomas Glave and Terry Boggis; a panel on being queer behind bars with formerly incarcerated persons; a forum on Rethinking HIV Risk for Black Men Having Sex with Men; a preview of this year’s NewFest with Basil Tsiokos and highlights from the Bears on the Run concert.
The current generation of LGBT seniors came of age amidst the profound social changes of the 1950's 60's, and 70's. Their stories reflect queer history from the isolation of the past, to the triumphs of the present day. Part one of this two part series, takes a look at what it was like to be “gay” before the Stonewall uprising, when lesbians and gays felt enormous pressure to conform. Out at the Center sat down to hear the experiences of these individuals who are currently active with SAGE or Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders.
Homophobia, stigma and discrimination are still major issues confronting the black gay community. This next segment will look at the history and activities of Gay Men of African Descent, or GMAD, a group that started in 1986 right here at the Center. GMAD is now based in Harlem and continues to fight homophobia and provide a supportive community to the black gay men of New York City.
Cynthia Wade, producer and director of Freeheld, stopped by the Center to talk about her documentary, winning that award and the social politics of her film that depicts both a human rights struggle and a love story.