No Crime Scene, Just a Party

I had a wonderful time at the birthday party for dear friend and actor Gerald McCullouch, who plays Bobby Dawson in the hit CBS television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation at the plush hot-spot Troy Liquor Bar in the now swanky area on Manhattan's Meat Packing District / West Village area of New York City on March 31, 2016.  The event was also a celebration of the release of McCullouch's latest new film, Daddy, a sizzling romantic comedy/drama.  I loved celebrating with Keith Collins, from the hit films, Meat Puppet, Coffee Shop, Jersey Devil, along with fashion designer and artist Justin Sears, David Drake from Broadway's The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me and television series, The Good Wife and Tony Sawicki host of the television shows Urban Animals and Under the Pink Carpet. 

Easter Parade with Springtime Fashion

I loved meeting dear friends and showing off my new Easter ensemble at the annual New York City Easter Parade which set the legendary Fifth Avenue all aglow with spring-time couture and costumes as participants displayed their outfits and big bonnets decorated with bright colors, flowers and bunny ears.   The tradition started in 1885 where it was decided to close the City's main thoroughfare between 49th and 57th streets to vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians to strut the street, displaying their new seasonal ensembles after church on Easter Sunday.   Today the spectacle continues where thousands gather to show off creative get-ups, from traditional to wacky and everything in-between. It took place this year on March 27, 2016

Unified and Inclusive NYC St. Partick's Day Parade

It was a thrill to be part of history by marching with the LGBT organization Lavender & Green Alliance in New York City's Saint Patrick's Day Parade, the world's oldest and largest parade, up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on March 17, 2016.  This is the first time in history that Gay groups and organizations were allowed to participate, ending the hurtful and bigoted twenty five year ban.  Joining our group in the march were NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, City Council Members Danny Dromm and Corey Johnson, former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Senator Tom Duane, LGBT marriage plaintiff Edie Windsor, members of NYC Pride and many more. The mega-fun after-party for Lavender & Green was held at Phoenix lounge in the East Village.

"Today everyone is celebrating together," said Mayor DeBlasio. "The City is at peace and Unified." 

Irish Heritage at NY City Hall

I had a wonderful time at the Irish Heritage and Culture of NYC celebration at New York City Hall Council Chambers on March 15, 2016. Council Members Daniel Dromm, Elizabeth Crowley, Corey Johnson and Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer hosted a beautiful reception. Special proclamation awards were given to fashion designer Don O'Niell of the Thea label, Gary O'Niell of the Aubergine Cafe and Fiodhna O'Grady of Samaritans Suicide Prevention Center.  The prestigious Thomas J. Manton Irish Person of the Year Award was presented to Dr. John L. Lahey, chairman of the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade for making the parade inclusive.  There was Irish food, drinks, dancing, and performances by the Niall O'Leary School of Irish Dance and musical numbers by Maynooth University Chamber Choir.

Expo - Media

I had such a wonderful time as a hostess/mc and performer of the Original LGBT Expo at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New York City on March 12th and 13th.  it is the largest and longest running LGBT convention in the world!  My participation at the Expo was mentioned in two media articles.

Next magazine, the weekly Gay lifestyle magazine with the largest guide and listings for LGBT arts, entertainment, fashion and culture in NYC featured a fantastic image of me and my dear friend and super-model Kristof Michalsky taken by renowned celebrity photographer Gustavo Monroy.  The photo can be seen in the Shot In The Dark paparazzi section in the March 18, 2016 issue.

I was also included in an amazing article in the legendary Village Voice newspaper in a piece titled The Faces of the 2016 LGBT Expo with photographs by C.S. Muncy which said:  "Thousands of people flocked to the Javits Center for the 2016 Original LGBT Expo.  The expo is the largest and longest-running LGBT expo, having supported the community since 1993.  The convention brings business, education, politics, the arts, health, technology, media, travel, and non-profit sectors together while celebrating the LGBT community that drives these organization.  Here are just a few of the people the Village Voice met at the Expo over the weekend."

Original LGBT Expo

I had an amazing time as a performer and a Host/MC or the talent Main-Stage of the 23rd annual Original LGBT Expo, the largest and longest-running LGBT convention in the world celebrating diversity in business, education, politics, the arts, health, technology, media, travel and non-profit sectors.  Others who performed on stage with me included Constantine Maroulis of TV's American Idol and Broadway's Rock of Ages and Sweeny Todd, actor/recording artist Lovari, recording artist Aaron Paul, Destiny Devine, Carmilla Cann, Ron B., comedian Paul Hallasy, Aris, Tym Moss, dance music girl-group Rouge and many others. A special life-time achievement award was presented to playwright/actor Charles Busch. 

The expo was held March 12th and 13th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, featuring over 300 exhibiting companies, many of which are LGBT owned and operated, an engaging seminar series, a live entertainment stage, Film showcases and much more!  The 100,000+ square foot show floor also spotlights specific areas dedicated to some of the most popular idustries catering to the LGBT community including the Travel Pavilion, Wedding Pavilion, Small Business Pavilion, Non-profit Pavilion and the new Family Pavilion.  

Mayor DeBlasio's Transgender Rights Order

I was honored and thrilled to stand behind New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio at a special Press Conference where he announced and signed an executive order that guarantees Transgender people access to single sex bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity at City facilities, including offices, pools and recreation centers.  We are now free to use single-sex facilities consistent with our gender identity. 

 "Access to bathrooms and other single-sex facilities is a fundamental human right that should not be restricted or denied to anyone.  New York City is proud to enforce one of the strongest human rights laws in the country, which protects the rights of Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to live freely and with respect." said De Blasio. "Every New Yorker should feel safe in our City - and this starts with our City's buildings."  The Mayor also said of Transgender people: "They are part of the fabric of life in this City, and we honor them, and we embrace them, and we believe in them." 

St. Pat's for All Parade

I was so happy to be part of the 17th annual St. Pat's for All Parade on March 6th in Sunnyside and Woodside in Queens, New York, marching with in the contingent behind New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio. 

The St. Pat's for All parade celebrates the diversity of the Irish and Irish American communities of New York. First held in 2000, St.Pat's for All cherishes and celebrates an inclusive St. Patrick's season. The parade is the first in the 260 years + of Irish parades in New York City to be open and welcoming to all who wish to share in the spirit of the day. They err on the side of hospitality. Their theme "cherishing all the children of the nation equally" is taken from the 1916 Easter Proclamation of the Irish Republic. It is a vision drawn from our past and a guide for our present & future.