Saturday, October 20, 2007

NY Senate Salute to Pride

On Thursday, October 11, I was invited to attend a special reception held by The New York State Senate Democratic Conference to honor our State's LGBT Community and to coincide with National Coming Out Day. The gala was held in a ballroom in New York City Hall and hosted by NY State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith and Out NY State Senator Tom Duane. I am on the Broad of two Democratic organizations (Stonewall Democrats and Jim Owles Liberal Democrats) where I provide an inclusive Transgender viewpoint. I'm always pushing boundaries and hope to make being Transgender and alternative Gender expression a more acceptable way of being. The Senate honored a dear friend and Tony Award winning actress (Grey Gardens) Christine Ebersole; the world renowned Oscar and Tony Award winning actress Vanessa Redgrave; Platinum Recording artist Deborah Cox; Emmy nominee and Creator of the hit tv show, The Closer, James Duff; Grammy Award winning musician Janis Ian; Director, writer and producer Lee Rose and others. I was wonderful to meet Ms. Redgrave. She spoke about her famous father, Sir Michael Redgrave being a Bisexual. She also spoke of her performance as a Lesbian grieving the loss of her long-time partner in the HBO series If These Walls Could Talk. I had a great time meeting up with NYC Council Members Rosie Mendez and Bill De Blasio, Jim Owles Liberal Democrats President Alan Roskoff, columnist Jimmy Brezlin, Andy Humm from Gay USA tv series, Dirk McCall, Michael Collossi, Scott Talbolt, Howie V, Yetta Kurland and others. After the reception at City Hall was over, we headed to the after-party at Splash Bar nightclub in Chelsea were we met up with promoter Beto Suter, Splash owner and manager Greg Jones and Drag Performer Shequida.