The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

Women’s Event 2023: On Friday, Nov 3, The Center hosted the much-anticipated Women’s Event gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, marking the 26th annual edition of a special evening focusing on the contributions of women in the queer community. The evening raised a historic $1.2M. Comedian Lea DeLaria received the Trailblazer Award, and Stacey Friedman — Executive Vice President and General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co. — received the Corporate Leadership Award. The evening also featured special remarks from Glennda Testone, The Center’s outgoing Executive Director, after spending 14 years with the organization.

Cycle for the Cause 2023: With a record-breaking $2.2M raised, The Center’s annual three-day bike ride from Boston to New York City, that raises funds for the fight against AIDS, finished on Sunday Oct 1 with over 350 Riders and Crew celebrating on West 13th Street. The event began on Thursday, Sept 28 with all participants venturing nearly 300 miles through nearly 50 cities and towns, with evening and morning programming each night at 3 different hotel locations along the way.

Garden Party 2023: On June 20, 2023, Garden Party celebrated at Pier 76 at Hudson River Park with an evening of powerful performances by VINCINT, Cookiee Kawaii, House of Marc Jacobs, and more. Over 1,600 guests enjoyed the summer weather, activations by Jean Paul Gaultier, Durex, and Smirnoff, as well as various culinary tastings from top NYC restaurants.

Center Dinner 2023: On Thursday, April 13, over 900 supporters came together at Cipriani Wall Street in support of The Center’s 40th Anniversary and its crucial programs and services. The evening, which raised over $1.7M, featured a Drag Story Hour from Pixie Aventura, remarks from actress Dominique Jackson, and honors for renowned writer and performance artist Alok Vaid-Menon, Broadway producer and philanthropist Ted Snowdon, and The Keith Haring Foundation. Also in attendance: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 winner Sasha Velour, Adam Eli, Parker Kit Hill, Susanne Bartsch, Shoshana Bean, Prabal Gurung, and Willy Chavarria.

Women’s Event 2022: More than 400 people came together on Saturday, November 5, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan, for The Center’s 25th annual Women’s Event, which honors the work of LGBTQ+ women. The evening honored Elisa Crespo of the New Pride Agenda (Community Impact Award) Christopher Street Financial president Jen Hatch, and beauty brand Milk Makeup.

Garden Party 2022: On June 21, 2022, Garden Party returned in-person with over 1,500 guests gathering at Pier 84 for an evening of impressive performances by Haus of Tisci, Sophie B. Hawkins, Paula Cole, and more.

Center Dinner 2022: On Thursday, April 14, 2022, The Center gathered in-person for the first time since before COVID for its annual gala fundraiser honoring the LGBTQ community. The evening honored Scott Miller and Tim Gill (Edie Windsor Trailblazer Award), Cecilia Gentili (Visibility Award), and Bank of America (Corporate Impact Award). Among the guests in attendance was Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State. With over 700 in attendance, the program also featured a performance by Alex Newell, remarks from comedian Murray Hill, and a fundraising drive that, with the help of Bridget Everett and Jeff Hiller, raised over $1.8M for The Center.

Women’s Event 2021: On Saturday, November 6, 2021, The Center hosted its annual Women’s Event gala. Author Roxane Gay accepted the Community Impact Award, pop musician Kim Petras was given the Trailblazer Award, and Morgan Stanley received the the Corporate Impact Award (accepted by Susan Reid).

275 Challenge & Closing Celebration: On Saturday, September 25, 2021, over 100 participants joined a fully supported 27.5-mile bike ride and a 2.75-mile walk/run to complete a month-long challenge & fundraiser for The Center. The run/walk/ride started and finished at Pier 84 in Manhattan where a 3-hour celebration unfolded, featuring various drag queen performances, speakers, sponsor activations, catered food and beverage, games, and a chance to come together as a community.

Center Dinner 2021 (Virtual): On Thursday, April 15, 2021, The Center gathered virtually for its annual gala fundraiser honoring the LGBTQ community and our allies. The program thanked HBO Max for its multitude of LGBTQ-focused and affirming programming, featuring Shangela (We’re Here), J. August Richards (Genera+ion), and Nathaniel Curtis (It’s a Sin). The program also recognized the doctors, nurses, and all frontline caregivers of Lenox Health Greenwich Village for their LGBTQ-affirming care and dedication during 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual event was streamed live to The Center’s YouTube channel and can be viewed here.

Women’s Event 2020 (Virtual): On Thursday, November 19, 2020, The Center hosted a virtual Women’s Event to celebrate and create space for LBTQ women. The evening began by honoring the WNBA Players Association for their individual and collective activism demonstrated by players on and off the court. A panel discussion followed, moderated by The Center’s Chief Advocacy Officer Shijuade Kadree, about the impact of the 2020 election and the future for LBTQ women. Featured panelists included Alicia Garza, Cecilia Gentili, Urvashi Vaid and LaLa B Holston-Zannell. The virtual event was streamed live to The Center’s YouTube channel and can be viewed here.

Garden Party 2020 (Virtual): On Monday, June 22, The Center held its first-ever virtual Garden Party, a 45-min digital program through YouTube Premiere with messages from celebrities such as Don Lemon, Kalen Allen, Jacob Tobia, Marti Gould Cummings and Leo Sheng, performances from Lea DeLaria, Justin Vivian Bond, and the NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, and additional messages from advocacy groups such as VOCAL-NY, various corporate sponsors, and staff.

The program (see here) was accompanied by the Garden Party webpage which featured a curated food and cocktail/mocktail menu from The Center’s Culinary Council and restaurant partners, as well as a playlist from DJ BBARI, who hosted our PepsiCo Virtual Dance Floor following the show.

MASQ 2020: On February 8, 2020, over 500 masked guests attended The Center’s annual masquerade party (MASQ) at The Williamsburg Hotel, raising nearly $90,000 for The Center’s vital LGBTQ+ programming. The evening featured over 3 hours of ongoing performances by 12+ dancers and performers, private Masquerade Club and VIP lounges, sponsorship from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, L’Oreal USA, Matrix, Gay Beer, Babe Wine, Lyft, and music by DJ BBARI.

Women’s Event 2019: On Saturday, November 3, nearly 500 guests attended The Center’s Women’s Event at Guastavino’s on East 59th Street. The gala, focused on The Center’s LBTQ women, honored global human resources leader Cathy Bolz, past board president of The Center Julie Harris, and POSE star Mj Rodriguez. The program also included a silent auction with various works of art and prizes, a pledge auction, and live auction, raising over $500,000 for The Center’s vital programs and services. Sponsors included JP Morgan Chase, Mastercard, Accenture, BCG, Bloomberg Philanthropies, EY, Goldman Sachs, and HBO/WarnerMedia.