Best Gay New York

New Yorks THE CENTER hosts Anti Gay Hate Violence Rally

2013-05-20T13:43:28Z

Dear Center Community,

I know you share my sadness and outrage at the recent string of anti-gay violence gripping our city, including the horrific murder of 32-year old Mark Carson on Friday night, just blocks from the Center. I want you to know that the Center is committed to standing with community partners and leaders, and doing everything in our power to respond and denounce this wave of violence against our community.

On Monday evening we will gather on the steps of the Center, along with the Anti-Violence Project, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, community members, other elected officials, and LGBT community leaders and allies, and march to the site of Friday's shooting to demand an end to hate crimes against our community. At the end of the march, we will rally to denounce hate violence, call for justice and to mourn the death of Mark Carson. Please join us, and help spread the word.

New York is our city, and we aren’t going backward. Join us on Monday evening to honor Mark and help ensure everyone hears our message.

In solidarity,
Glennda Testone
Executive Director

MARCH AND RALLY IN RESPONSE TO LGBT HATE CRIMES – Monday, May 20th at 5:30 p.m. beginning at the Center, 208 W 13th Street, and proceeding to West 8th Street and 6th Avenue.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFO – The Anti-Violence Project encourages you to report violence you experience or witness to their free and confidential 24-hour, bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141, where you can speak with a trained counselor and seek support. You can also report violence anonymously online at www.avp.org, and learn about upcoming Community Safety Nights beginning Friday, May 24. And remember, for immediate police assistance, dial 911.

Follow the Center on Twitter @LGBTCenterNYC or on Facebook

Hot Deals at THE OUT NYC

2013-05-17T19:44:15Z

After Sandy-A Night of A Thousand Midlers at LIPS May 15th

2013-05-14T17:53:05Z

A NIGHT OF BETTE!

Lips Restaurant, “The Ultimate in Drag Dining,” is proud to announce that on Wednesday, May 15^th, it will host a tribute showcase for the legendary Bette Midler to benefit her charity, the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a non-profit organization, founded by Midler, dedicated to restoring parks, gardens and open space in underserved communities throughout New York City. A portion of the funds raised from the evening will be used towards the NYRP’s “MillionTreesNYC” initiative which aims to plant and care for one million new trees in NYC by 2017. Particularly after so many of the city’s trees were destroyed in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, this is a particularly meaningful cause that Lips Restaurant is proud to be a part of.

Guests in attendance will receive the full star treatment as they walk the red carpet upon arrival where they will be greeted by Joan Rivers look alike, Jessie Volt, as she conducts interviews and poses for paparazzi souvenir photos. Once inside, the cocktail hour will feature cocktails by Absolut, Vueve Cliquot Champagne and hors d’oeuvres provided by J Kings Foodservice. A silent auction will be on site with items graciously donated by Bette Midler including her 2012 Hulaween Costume, signed albums, CD’s and memorabilia, a Florida vacation, Beauty Salon Experiences, Restaurant gift certificates, Hulaween and Garden Party Event Tickets, and more.

Following the cocktail hour, a three-course dinner will be served by the legendary “drag” waitresses of Lips, culminating with a fabulous NYRP tree cake created by TLC’s Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro for dessert. The evening’s highlight, a “Night of a Thousand Midler's” tribute revue dedicated to the Divine Miss M, will be hosted by drag sensation, Ginger Snapt and feature the world’s foremost Bette Midler tribute artist, Donna Maxon, along with the Ladies of Lips.

Tickets for the charitable evening are available online at www.1000Midlers.com, by phone at 212-675-7710, or by mail at: LIPS RESTAURANT, 227 East 56^th Street, NYC, NY 10022.

New York City to Spend $60 Million on Tourism

2013-05-09T21:16:25Z

DID YOU KNOW?

NYC is the #1 destination of LGBT travelers?

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of New York’s largest tourism campaign in decades, committing nearly $60 million to grow the industry, create jobs and attract even more visitors to the Empire State.

The Governor’s announcement came at the conclusion of the New York State Tourism Summit, where hundreds of tourism experts gathered in Albany to discuss ideas and new ways to bring tourists to every corner of the state. As the fifth largest employment sector in New York, tourism supported 714,000 jobs and generated more than $29 billion in wages in 2012. One out of every 12 jobs in New York is tourism-related. The more than 202 million international and domestic visitors to the Empire State last year resulted in $57 billion in direct tourism spending, and generated $7 billion in state and local taxes.

“New York State has some of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the world. From the peaks of the Adirondacks to the beaches of Long Island, no matter what you’re looking for you can find it here,” Governor Cuomo said. “I want the world to know about these assets, too, and am committed to making the State a ‘must see’ global destination and creating new jobs and investments in New York.”

New York Awards recognizes BEST GAY NEW YORK

2013-05-07T12:07:00Z

WINNER!

The New York Awards are an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the New York area.

Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

"Each year, we identify companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community."

NYC X DESIGN Happens in New York May 10 - 21

2013-05-06T23:38:47Z

Today, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, along with, NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, steering committee members, and members of the local design community announced details of the first annual “NYCxDESIGN” (NYC by Design) event. Officials also revealed “Multifesto,” a communal design manifesto project open to designers from across the world, and announced plans to launch a mobile scheduling website, and an iPhone photo App. NYCxDESIGN takes place Friday, May 10^th through Tuesday, May 21^st, 2013 and features more than 200 events across all five boroughs. Officials made the announcement in in Times Square and were joined by Executive Director at the Center for an Urban Future Jonathan Bowles, Executive Director at NY Designs Natalia Argüello, FIT Professor and Founder of Breadbox Studio in Harlem Joseph Masibay and other leading members of the New York City design community.

First announced in Speaker Quinn’s 2012 State of the city address, NYCxDESIGN is the City’s first annual city-wide event to showcase and promote New York City’s rich design community. Scheduled events include free design classes for children ages 2 and up through the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, as well as BKLYN Designs in DUMBO, WantedDesign in Chelsea, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Javits Center, free classes at a pop-up design studio in Staten Island, talks at universities and museums and many more. Design disciplines span Architecture, Art, Design Thinking, Digital, Craft, Fashion, Furniture, Graphic Design, Industrial, Interiors, Landscape, Lighting, Products, Media, Theater, and Urban Design.

For a full list of events, please visit: www.nycxdesign.com/events

“Over 40,000 designers call the City home and it’s time for us to tap into this sector, raise its profile, and turn it into an economic engine,” said Speaker Quinn. “NYCxDESIGN provides the right opportunity for New York City to convene our local design community and celebrate their contributions to the city, to a degree never before seen. I’m excited that NYCxDESIGN will help both emerging and established designers exhibit their skills, sell their designs, and grow their businesses in the five boroughs.”

“When visitors explore New York City they experience unparalleled urban design and architecture around every corner and are also able to find distinctive design items made locally and sourced from around the world,” said George Fertitta CEO of NYC & Company. “NYCxDESIGN captures the essence of New York City’s creativity and diversity, giving us another opportunity to reach new audiences and showcase all that the five boroughs have to offer. To further exemplify design in all its expressions, NYC & Company recently launched The Design Collection, a selection of 19 hotels where exceptional design is an essential part of the visitor experience. During NYCxDESIGN, or anytime throughout the year, we encourage visitors to be inspired by one of these unique hotels.”

“The NYCxDESIGN initiative highlights the extraordinary breadth of New York City's creative community,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin. “The dynamic program of events and exhibitions will foster new connections between audiences, organizations, and professionals whose work make the City a global center for innovation and excellence in design.”

New York City Neighborhoods to Explore

2013-05-03T13:57:00Z

Geographically, New York is a city with 5 boroughs, 59 community districts and hundreds of neighborhoods. In 2010, the Department of City Planning issued a revised wall map displaying the neighborhood names and community district boundaries along with informative statistics on the geographic, demographic and economic profile of New York City. View the full map (7.25 MB).

NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, has separated the city into sections/guides and give some tips for each area. Lower Manhattan, Chelsea, Meat Packing District, Hell's Kitchen, Koreatown, etc. They show the reader choices for accommodations, cultural sights, dining and entertainment, shopping and attractions.

It's a great resource for tourists, newly transplanted people, or if you have family coming to town, it provides some new idea's perhaps, that you did not think of.

Sotto 13 in New Yorks West Village Hotspot for Social Brunch

2013-05-02T18:39:00Z

Sharing. We all learned that in kindergarten (or at least should have) about sharing. Sharing is also a fundamental part of eating. Whether you're having Sunday dinner at home with family or you're out at the new Italian place with friends, the act of sharing food comes into play early and often in a meal.

Sotto 13 does what they call... 'Social Italian'. It's about sharing great food and some cocktails in a fun atmosphere with friends - or meeting some new ones. Small plates, pizza and pastas are designed to share a variety of tastes along with their signature, fresh cocktails or some wine.

Located in a landmark brownstone in the West Village of NYC, 140 W 13th Street, between 6th & 7th Avenues.

Whether you go for Wednesday Happy Hour with free passed tapas and wood fired pizzas, or Late night Thursday after 10pm with lots of pizza specials, or my favorite, Boozy Brunch $25 all you can drink, on the weekends! This restaurant has lots to offer any time of day, 7 days a week.

FOOD NETWORK MAGAZINE says, "After opening up in the end of 2012 Sotto 13 has become a hit in the West Village for the Italian Social Scene. Sotto 13 has stepped up their game with a ‘Social Brunch’ on Saturday and Sundays. This is a must try brunch with foods highlights including Cacio e Pepe with scrambled eggs topped with Cacio cheese, Baked Crispelle, Tuscan Eggs and

Brioche French Toast Sticks and of course fresh out of the wood fired oven come crisp brunch pizzas.

This is not their only specialty Sotto’s brunch has NYC's first ever 'DIY Prosecco Bar'! The concept allows Brunchers to become their own mixologists with a bottle of prosecco and a tray of five mixers, including signature fresh juices, liqueurs and toss ins like candied ginger, fresh berries and more. Guests can use the provided recipe card or freestyle it to craft their own bubbly brunch cocktails."

It's been called best new sexy spot, best date night restaurant, best atmosphere, best Italian food sharing, and more! Even Yelpers, a tough crowd to please, consistently give Sotto 13, 4 and 5 stars!

So what are you waiting for? If you haven't checked out Sotto 13 yet, make a reservation now!

(212) 647-1001 Sotto 13 And I will see you there!

The Center SUMMER CAMP Events

2013-05-02T16:02:04Z

This summer, the Center is sending you back to CAMP with our annual Summer “Camp” Festival. But not the kind of icky outdoor camp with tents and mosquitoes – instead, we’re serving up drag queens and NO WIRE HANGERS! Jump start your summer with fun, games and a celebration of the elusive queer aesthetic known simply as “camp.”

FOURPLAY - Thursday, May 9; 7:30 p.m. Giving John Waters a run for his sleazy money, Kyle Henry’s raucous independent film, Fourplay presents a quartet of sex tales in four American cities. Henry and Paul Soileau (Christeene) host.

HOLLY WOODLAWN: A LOW LIFE IN HIGH HEELS - Thursday, May 16; 7 p.m. Once appearing alongside Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis, the legendary Andy Warhol superstar Holly Woodlawn will read from her biography and screen her 1973 short film Broken Goddess.

DRAG BINGO WITH HEDDA LETTUCE - Tuesday, May 21; 7 p.m. Drag bingo returns to the Center for one night only with kooky prizes, double entendre and a cash jackpot. Time to get lucky!

BRINI MAXWELL DOES BARBARELLA - Tuesday, May 28; 7 p.m. Wall-to-wall shag carpeting, evil Lava Lamp goo and glittery spacesuits that fall off at a moment’s notice? Forget Jane Fonda…we’ve got the mod-tastic Brini Maxwell to help us through this camp classic.

MATCH GAME LIVE - Thursday, June 13; 7:30 p.m. A live stage version of the campiest, kitschiest game show in history — The “Match Game”! Match Frank DeCaro, Jackie Hoffman and other celebs for prizes. Get ready to laugh your _BLANK_ off!

THE CENTER

Queen of Queens Comedy with Adam Sank May 12

2013-05-02T01:31:00Z

The Queens of Queens

Sunday, May 12 at 8:00PM

Laughing Devil Comedy Club

The queens play a game of "Mother, May I?" at this month's installment of the Long Island City LGBT comedy show -- and Mom's not having it. In the headline spot will be straight-but sassy Michelle Buteau,(pictured) a 2013 nominee at Logo's NewNowNext Awards for her hilarious hosting on Vh-1's "Best Week Ever." Ms. B has also appeared on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" and at colleges and comedy clubs all over the U.S.

Also springing onto the stage will be Chris Doucette (The Advocate's "Best of LGBT Comedy" and winner of Chicago's Snubfest Comedy Festival), Sheba Mason, who takes after her famous father, Jackie, Jami Smith (Women in Comedy Festival, Comedy Editor and "Gaysayer" Tweeter for The Advocate Magazine) and Tarik Daniels (Gaylarious in Washington DC).

As always, host Adam Sank (NBC's "Last Comic Standing," Sirius-XM OutQ) keeps the show moving gaily forward.

$15 + 2-Item Minimum. For tickets and information, visit Laughingdevil.com.

Laughing Devil Comedy Club | 4738 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City (Queens)
Subway: 7 Train to Vernon-Jackson

Larry Kramer to Receive special Tony Award June 9th, in New York

2013-04-30T13:12:29Z

Larry Kramer is a playwright, author, public health advocate, and LGBT rights activist. Kramer introduced a controversial and confrontational style in his 1978 novel Faggots, which earned mixed reviews but emphatic denunciations from the gay community for his portrayal of shallow, promiscuous gay relationships in the 1970s.

Kramer witnessed the spread of the disease that became known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among his friends in 1980, and co-founded the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), which has become the largest private organization to assist people living with AIDS in the world. Not content with the social services GMHC provided, Kramer expressed his frustration with bureaucratic paralysis and the apathy of gay men to the AIDS crisis by writing a play titled The Normal Heart which was produced at The Public Theater in New York City in 1985. His political activism extended to the founding of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) in 1987, a direct action protest organization widely credited with changing public health policy and widespread perception of people living with AIDS (PWAs) and awareness of HIV and AIDS-related diseases. He was such an important part of our gay history and is now being recognized for his amazing contributions.

Kramer will receive this year’s Isabelle Stevenson Award, a non-competitive Tony award given to an individual from the theater community who has made a substantial contribution on behalf of humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations.

“Writers who are activists are very rarely taken seriously as artists,” Kramer said in an interview. “I look upon this recognition as acknowledgment that a serious writer can also be a serious activist, and no less an artist for it.”

Kramer, who will turn 78 years old in June, won a 2011 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, for the revival of “The Normal Heart” on Broadway, which starred Joe Mantello, Ellen Barkin and John Benjamin Hickey.

Kramer also wrote the screenplay for a coming HBO film based on the play, which will be directed by Ryan Murphy (“Glee”) and star Mark Ruffalo as Ned Weeks, the young activist at the center of the story.

“We are so excited about it,” Kramer said of the film, which begins shooting in New York in June. “It’s much bigger than the play. It’s the same basic plot but one is able to open it up and show much more about AIDS and also explore the character of the doctor [which will be played by Julia Roberts] which I wanted to do in the play, but it didn’t work.” - Barbra Streisand wanted to make to film and had bought the rights - but she struggled with Kramer for over 15 years, then gave the rights back to him.

First AIDS Generation Reunites to Discuss The Early Crisis Years in New York City May 9th

2013-04-29T15:23:44Z

Hundreds of New Yorkers who lived during the worst devastation of the AIDS years, joined by leading educators and scientists, will come together in a free panel discussion and town-hall meeting to discuss the unique challenges they face as a group.

Titled “Is This My Beautiful Life? Perspectives From Survivors of the AIDS Generation,“ this first-ever community forum will take place on Thursday, May 9, from 7-9 pm, in Mason Hall at Baruch College, 17 Lexington Avenue (enter on 23^rd Street). The space is wheelchair accessible. The panel discussion will be followed by a public forum for attendees to discuss their experiences, share their challenges and ask questions of panelists.

The event is free but pre-registration is required at www.broadwaycares.org/life . This town hall is particularly targeted at gay men in midlife, whether HIV-positive or HIV-negative; all person living with HIV; former and current AIDS activists, caregivers, and service providers; and New Yorkers who lost friends, lovers, and colleagues to AIDS.

The evening will be hosted by the Tony Award-winning star of Angels in America, Stephen Spinella. It will begin with short presentations by experts on aging, activism, mental trauma, and chronic disease. The panel of experts will be moderated by Dr. Perry N. Halkitis (Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies, Professor of Applied Psychology and Public Health, NYU Steinhardt, Professor of Population Health, NYU Langone School of Medicine and author of the soon-to-be-released book, The AIDS Generation: Stories of Survival and Resilience).

“As the youngest of those people now enters middle age, it’s clear that—like soldiers—the AIDS generation suffers even after its fight has abated,” said event co-organizer John Voelcker. “Many members of the group that fought the ravages of the epidemic, buried its brothers and sisters, and endured a war that the rest of the world felt it could ignore seem to suffer what may be something similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Their depression rates are higher, they may engage in unsafe sex, and a few of those with HIV inexplicably stop taking the lifesaving anti-retroviral medications that saved their lives 15 years ago.”

Broadway Bares SOLO STRIPS May 5th at XL Nightclub

2013-04-29T14:40:00Z

Sunday, May 5,2013.......9 pm

XL Nightclub
512 West 42nd Street, NYC

As the weather warms up, the clothes will come off 12 of the hottest men from Broadway Bares when they strip down to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at Broadway Bares: Solo Strips.

Tickets for Solo Strips, a special, one-night-only evening of choreographed stripteases, are on sale now. A limited number of reserved table seats are available for $40. General admission standing tickets also are available for a $15 donation. Get tickets now.

This year's Broadway Bares: Solo Strips dancers include Matt Anctil (La Cage Aux Folles, Broadway Bares 18-21), Patrick Boyd (Grease, Broadway Bares 17-19), James Brown III (Wicked, Broadway Bares 16, 18-20), Timothy Hughes (Chaplin, Broadway Bares 21), John Paul LaPorte (Broadway Bares 15-22) Patrick McCollum (Broadway Bares 16, 18-19), Peter Nelson (Cinderella, Broadway Bares 21-22), Daniel Robinson (Hairspray, Broadway Bares 17-19), Matthew Rossoff (Jesus Christ Superstar, Broadway Bares 18, 21) Billy Steeves (Broadway Bares 22), Dennis Stowe (Annie, Broadway Bares 9, 13-14, 16- 17, 19- 20) and Sheldon Tucker (Bring It On: The Musical, Broadway Bares 21-22).

Broadway Bares: Solo Strips will again be directed by Tony Spinosa. Doors open one hour prior to the show. Reserved table seats require an additional two-drink minimum.

Solo Strips is a return to the roots of Broadway Bares. In 1992, Jerry Mitchell, then a performer in The Will Rogers Follies, organized a benefit burlesque show featuring himself and six friends performing original strips at a bar for a $10 donation plus whatever tips the audience gave the dancers. Mitchell, now a Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, is executive producer of Broadway Bares, which is produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Broadway Bares: Solo Strips is a sexy tease for Broadway Bares, one of BC/EFA's annual signature events. This year's racy, road trip-themed edition, Broadway Bares 23: United Strips of America, will feature 200 of New York's most desirable dancers discovering – and uncovering – amber waves and mountain majesties that only Broadway Bares could find. This trip across the fruited plains of America will most certainly be the stuff patriot dreams are made of. Special celebrity guests will be announced at a later date.

Broadway Bares 23: United Strips of America will be held Sunday, June 23 with two performances only at 9:30 pm & midnight at Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Get tickets for Broadway Bares now.

The 2013 Bares season started in January with Broadway Bares: Winter Burlesque, which raised $35,428. The season continues with Solo Strips, then Broadway Bares: Fire Island on June 1 before concluding with Broadway Bares 23.

Meet this year's Broadway Bares: Solo Strips dancers.....

Casino travel in New York

2013-04-29T14:08:22Z

As gambling is a holiday theme that has only increased in popularity over the past decades, it is no wonder that even the state of New York offers casino entertainment to its visitors. Technically it is illegal to gamble in the state, which is why the only casinos one can visit are on Native land. It is an American experience many tourists are after, so it is no wonder that the casinos bring great numbers of gamble-minded tourists into the state despite the state restrictions.

The laws in the New York area have, however, had an impact on the number of casinos available and there are considerably fewer casinos than you would expect looking at the nearby states. There are still several good ones that are well worth a visit. One example is the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, a Native establishment, as the name might imply. They have an impressive variety of slots machines – over six hundred on site! They also have quite a variety of table games.

People in the state have also worked their way around the restrictions by moving their gaming activities off the shore or just gaming online on sites like iPhonecasino.ca instead. There are quite a number of casino cruises on offer, and there are also casinos on more ordinary cruise vessels. When on sea, you are no longer under the same laws, and you can gamble to your heart’s content. One such ship is the Midnight Gambler II, built for just such a purpose. It is run by the Freeport casino Cruises company, and it contains almost three hundred gaming machines and a good selection of tables to game on. Other forms of entertainment are also available, and it’s always nice to get out to the sea from the dust of the city.

Urban Wonderer App Walking Tour of New York City

2013-04-24T23:58:48Z

Whether you are visiting New York City, or live here and are curious about the history of the buildings and landmarks you pass, Urban Wonderer FREE app is here to help!

It’s difficult to really look at and appreciate these sites when you’ve got your nose stuck in a guide book. This audio app solves that problem.

UrbanWonderer, an iPhone and Android audio walking tour app, was launched to solve just this problem. Created by licensed NYC tour guide, Steven Craig Sickles, UrbanWonderer offers informative and highly entertaining narrated walking tours of some of New York City’s most popular neighborhoods, including SoHo, TriBeCa, Central Park, Greenwich Village, and W42^nd Street in Times Square. Additionally, the UrbanWonderer app offers a non-narrated map of the Chelsea Art Galleries, as the exhibits change constantly.

UrbanWonderer walking tours cover not only New York City history and its landmark sights, but also some of the city’s best restaurants, art galleries and shops, as well as dozens of film and TV shooting locations that have helped make New York the most celebrated city on both big and little screens.

With the UrbanWonderer walking tour app you’ll learn the history of over 100 popular NYC destinations, including:

- How Houston Street got its name and, perhaps more importantly for New York City newbies, how to pronounce it!

o Listen: SoHo: The How of Houston

- The history of the Washington Square Park Arch

o Listen: Greenwich Village: Washington Square Arch

- The controversy over the creation of Central Park and how Sheep Meadow got its name

o Listen: Central Park: Sheep Meadow

Check it out! Urban Wonderer