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PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN ROSEN
May 23, 2012 | www.gaycitynews.com
CELEBRATING A YEAR OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY federal level, for all same-sex couples nationwide. On May 21, the newly consolidated group held its national gala, “We Are the American Family,” at the 404 NYC Event Space in Midtown. The group honored US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the marriage equality campaign group at Congregation
B'nai Jeshurun (whose Lisa Safir and Dale Bernstein are shown here with Erik Bottcher, a staff member in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office), and out gay MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts and his partner, Patrick Abner (shown here with country music star Chely Wright).
RACHEL MARKS
DONNA ACETO
Fifteen years after Marriage Equality New York launched its efforts in the Empire State — and less than a year after the victory of gay marriage in Albany — MENY has combined with its sister organization Marriage Equality USA to continue the drive for full equality, at the state and
AIDS WALK DRAWS 45,000, RAISES $6 MILLION The 27th annual AIDS Walk New York, which raises funds for Gay Men’s Health Crisis and more than 40 other service organizations in the tri-state area, drew 45,000 participants to the 10-kilometer walk centered on Central Park. Among those participating were (pictured) Michael Urie and Nick Jonas, who are co-starring on Broadway in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” “GMHC has been there from the beginning,” US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told the crowd on hand. “They were there the first day when men were dying in New York and San Francisco, and all across the country. I'm very proud to say that 30 years later, GMHC is still here fighting against this disease, and will win the fight against this disease."
JIM OWLES KICKS OFF PRIDE SEASON Getting a jump on a busy LGBT Pride season, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club held its annual awards ceremony on May 13 at Elmo restaurant in Chelsea. The honoress included former Mayor David Dinkins (shown with club president Allen Roskoff), Broadway and television actress, singer, and dancer Bebe Neuwirth (shown hugging Roskoff), who just finished a run of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Classic Stage Company, and Christopher Tepper and Paul Kelterborn, founders of AIDS Memorial Park, which has won agreement from city officials to dedicate a portion of the park being created as part of the St. Vincent’s Hospital campus redevelopment in commemoration of the battle against the epidemic.