Category Archives: News and Happenings
City Dogs NEED Poop Bags
“The entire world is now realizing that plastic bags are simply bad for our Earth.” says Paul Cannella, founder and owner of PoopBags.com. A dog owner, Cannella began PoopBags.com in 2003 after researching the residual negative effects that regular, non-biodegradable plastic bags have on our environment. Ten years later, has been named the best rated biodegradable dog poop bags on Earth and PoopBags.com offers several different solutions for environmentally responsible dog ownership.
What the PoopBags ECO-ECO on a Roll offers is convenience; each roll fits handily into most common bag holders and leash attachments. Dog walkers can easily pull off an individual PoopBag without fuss, and the PoopBags ECO-ECO on a Roll’s pliability ensures that pickup will be clean and easy. There’s enough room on top to tie a knot, and the bags are strong enough to prevent tears.
The newest addition to the PoopBags ECO-ECO suite, the PoopBags ECO-ECO on a Roll is ECOnomical and ECO-friendly; meeting three national standards (ASTM 5510, ASTM D5208 and ASTM D6954-04) for biodegradability. Whether you choose to dispose of them in a landfill, or just toss them onto the ground, they’ll disappear into the Earth in between nine months to five years. The PoopBags ECO-ECO on a Roll are made of 30% post-consumer recycled content, and do not require heat, light, oxygen or mechanical stress to degrade.
The PoopBags ECO-ECO on a Roll are available in retail packs of 4 rolls (60 bags) or 8 rolls (120 bags), and each roll features 15 tear-off bags. The units can be ordered and
CHER to headline this years Dance on the Pier June 30th
Heritage of Pride has confirmed that iconic
performer Cher will be headlining this year’s 27th annual Dance on the
Pier on Sunday, June 30. Along with Deborah Cox.
World” at the event from her upcoming album set to be released September
24 on Warner Bros Records.
will be one of the most memorable in the history of this world-class
party. Now in its 27th year, the Dance on the Pier continues a proud
tradition of partnering with all-star talent to create a high-quality
event that raises funds to support local LGBT non-profits and New York
City’s annual Pride festivities,” says Chris Frederick, Managing
Director of NYC Pride.
Queer Songwriters Night June 28th
We are putting on another Queer Songwriter’s night at the Sidewalk Cafe.
What:
rotating lineup of NYC’s hottest, underground queer singer/songwriters.
The series allows the queer artists to showcase their unique voices and
sounds in an intimate, acoustic setting.
Brett Gleason, Chris Blacker, David Clement, Aaron Pfeiffer
When:
Friday June 28th, 6:30pm
Where:
The Sidewalk Cafe, 94 Avenue A, New York, NY
Cost:
$5 suggested donation
2nd annual GUMBO New York City Pride Pool Party June 29th
SATURDAY, JUNE 29 [rain or shine] 2PM to LATE
complimentary ABSOLUT® cocktails [2-3PM]
THOMPSON LES HOTEL
ROOFTOP POOL
+ launch of
THE BENDER LOUNGE in the ABOVE ALLEN indoor/outdoor terrace
190 Allen Street [at E. Houston]
a special GUMBO Give-Back
to ATHLETE ALLY [portion of all admission donated]
GUMBO NYC has been reinventing and reimagining gay nightlife in New York City with its signature “pop-out” parties since 2009.
Something new is brewing…sign up to find out where. Let’s be friends!
“one of the hottest new parties in NYC” – OUT
“voted five pink crowns” – BestGayNewYork.com
“a place for grown up gays to play? pencil us in!” – NEXT
“pioneering party…#1 critics pick” – TIME OUT NEW YORK
Press Conference on Anti Gay Hate Violence in New York…
JUNE 7, 2013, THE BRONX, NY: “The Bronx LGBTQ Center (the “Center”) has gathered you here to announce a series of outreach initiatives to combat the anti-LGBTQ sentiment that begets incidents of hate violence highlighted by recent media reports of thirteen anti-gay attacks in Manhattan since May, as well as let the community know that we are here, and we are here to stay,” Tym Moss, the Center’s president, announced.
“>www.avp.org/get-help/report-violence.
New Yorks Bronx LGBT Center talks Anti-Violence June 7th
This Friday! Bronx LGBTQ Center to Address Spike in Anti-LGBTQ Violence
On Friday, June 7th,
the new Bronx LGBTQ Center will address a recent and disturbing spike
in the number of incidents of anti-LGBTQ hate violence that have been
committed in NYC.
At the event, the Bronx LGBTQ Center’s president, Tym Moss,
with the support of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., will
announce outreach initiatives that it will undertake to combat the
sentiment that begets such attacks.
In addition to Mr. Moss and Borough President Diaz, other
community leaders and organizations–including victims of these
attacks–will speak on this issue and join in support of the Center’s
outreach initiatives.
WHEN: Friday, June 7, 2013
WHERE: Steps of the Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY
TIME: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
CONTACT: Peter C. Frank, secretary of the Bronx LGBTQ Center,
Gay Hate Crime Laws are Examined in New York
Sen. Brad Hoylman, the state Senate’s only openly gay member, plans a forum to discuss the state’s hate crime law.
In the wake of a recent spate of attacks on gays in Manhattan, a state
senator plans to hold a public forum on the effectiveness of the
state’s 13-year-old hate crimes law.
Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), plans the forum for June 14 in the city.
“It’s time to put the law under the microscope and see how effective
it’s been,” Hoylman told the Daily News. “Certainly the rash of
anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered violence in the last month
is the impetus.”
SANDBLAST is coming….July 19-21 in Asbury Park
ASBURY PARK IGNITES THREE-DAY lGBT beach party spectacular: SAND BLAST WEEKEND This summer, thousands of gays and lesbians will converge on the charming and newly popular seaside town of Asbury Park for Sand Blast, the annual LGBT party weekend on the Jersey Shore. Taking place Friday, July 19th thru Sunday, July 21st, this year’s festivities will feature 23 thrilling activities from surfing to guided bike rides, beach dodge ball, a burlesque show, a downtown art gallery walk, two pool parties, nighttime dance extravaganzas and The Beach Party, the weekend’s main soak-in-the-sun event with music by DJs Tony Moran and Hector Fonseca. Over 4,000 people attended last summer’s event. This summer’s Sand Blast Weekend promises to be even bigger and wetter! “Bringing the legendary producer and remixer Tony Moran to headline Saturday afternoon’s The Beach Party has been a goal of ours for years”, said Brad Hurtado, event founder & executive producer, at this morning’s announcement. “As if that’s not enough, securing the super hot Hector Fonseca to spin the first three hours is a double whammy.” In fact, Sand Blast Weekend will showcase a slew of the hottest DJ talent playing today including Atlantis Cruise favorite DJ Grind whose popularity has skyrocketed in recent months with over a million downloads of his weekly podcast. Also featured will be NYC favorites Eddie Martinez, Steve Sidewalk, Nando, Corey Craig, James Anthony, Stacy, Mick Hale and Susan Levine. What makes Sand Blast Weekend different from other gay party weekends is that in addition to its high-energy dance parties, Sand Blast offers many relaxing activities to enjoy. “Sand Blast is about discovering Asbury Park as a gay-friendly resort community and making it your own,” explains Hurtado. “We want our guests to go off and explore the entire town and boardwalk and enjoy all that this Jewel on the Jersey Shore has to offer. It’s not just a place to come once a year; it’s a destination we hope guests return to again and again. We like to think of Sand Blast Weekend as the Atlantis Cruise of circuit parties, because, like Atlantis, in addition to our roster of main party events, we have tons of fun activities to offer our guests all weekend.” Weekend passes start at $165. The Saturday-only pass is $110 and the Sand Blast Women’s Pass is $85. The elegant Berkeley Oceanfront is the host hotel for Sand Blast Weekend. 3-night super saver rates start at $240 per night. 2–night stays start at $289 per night. For more information on SAND BLAST WEEKEND, visit www.SandBlastWeekend.com
SANDBLAST 2013!
Gay Pride in New York – The Time of Your Life
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE
The concept by Brian Rafferty is to create a series of parties
involving event producers and promoters from multiple cities, working
together to create destination weekends that are amazing and accessible.
FIRST UP….
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE: NYC PRIDE
New York / Los Angeles / Chicago / Philadelphia / San Juan
June 28th-June 30th 2013
New York City is one of the most NOTORIOUS cities on the planet with the BIGGEST pride weekend in the nation.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WORKING TOGETHER….
NEW YORK: Brian Rafferty
LOS ANGELES: Woody Woodbeck, Justin David & Steve Machuca
CHICAGO: Anthony DiFiore & Andrew Kain Miller
PHILADELPHIA: Christoper Wright & Timmy Bear Maurer
SAN JUAN: Jose IvanBurgos, Angel Arroyo & Gilly Velez of Joy and Give Events
DISCOUNTS IN NEW YORK ON:
– LUXURY HOST HOTEL: Hudson Hotel, www.HudsonHotel.com Rooms are only $189/night [down from $310]
*Use Promo code: SPPRID
– NYC PRIDE EVENTS: plus free VIP Event upgrades to select events for the first 50 people to sign up
– SHOPPING: Slick it up [ www.Slickitup.com ] & Trophy Pony
*Use Promo Code TOYL
PLUS: 30% off at TAGG [ www.TAGGnyc.com ]
**To be eligible for NYC Pride discounts you must be FROM one of the
host cities and traveling TO New York for the weekend. Contact your
city’s host for info or contact TimeofYourLifeINFO@gmail.c
THE EVENTS:
FRIDAY JUNE 28th:
8p: TAGG Pre-Pride Party: Open bar, exclusive 30% off for Time of Your Life NYC Pride boys
10p-4a: Brian Rafferty’s 30th Birthday BASH. TBA *VIP ACCESS
SAT JUNE 29th:
2p-10p: The VIP Rooftop Party by NYC Pride & Rafferty Mazur Events www.showclix.com/event/
SUN JUNE 29th:
3p-9p: SPF Penthouse & Rooftop Party 3p-9p at the Dream MIDTOWN with DJ Ryan Kenny by Rafferty Mazur Events *VIP ACCESS
3p-10p The NYC Pride Pier Dance 3p-10p www.showclix.com/event/
10p-4a Griffin Sundays: Pride Closing Party
by Rafferty Mazur Events, 10pm-5am *VIP ACCESS
Gay Pride in New York BEGINS!
GAY PRIDE KICKS OFF!
| Saturday, June 1 |
|
Staten Island LGBT Pride Parade & Festival
Food, music and entertainment, coupled with community resources,
information tables and vendor tables, will be available throughout .. More Info…
|
|
Sunday, June 2 |
|
New Jersey’s 22nd Annual Pride Celebration
Asbury Park is coming back from the ravages of Superstorm Sandy and
is excited to again be the host city for Jersey Pride’s annual .. More Info…
Queens Pride Parade & Multicultural Festival
March down 37th Avenue in the heart of Jackson Heights, followed by
the jubilant sights and sounds of Multicultural Street Festival .. More Info…
|
… Check out NYC UP AND OUT for more events!
New Yorks CENTER Garden Party 30 Kicks Off Pride Week at Pier 84
| Annual Tasting Event Partners with ZAGAT to Celebrate Pride and Support the LGBT Community Center Programs and Services |
|
| WHO | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Board of Directors and Executive Director Glennda Testone invite you to Garden Party 30. |
| WHAT | Garden Party brings you A Taste of Pride curated by ZAGAT and featuring presenting sponsor Prudential with 40 restaurants and culinary destinations offering samples from their delicious menus. |
| WHEN | Monday, June 24, 2013 General Admission 6-10 p.m. |
| WHERE | Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 West Side Highway at 44th Street New York, NY |
| How to Purchase Tickets: Tickets are available at www.gaycenter.org/gardenparty. |
|
| MORE | Friends and supporters of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (the Center) will gather on June 24 for Garden Party 30, the Center’s annual tasting event. Kick off Pride Week with over 1,500 supporters and foodies at our new location on Pier 84. Garden Party is the only LGBT tasting festival in the country. Guests will watch the sun set over the Hudson River while enjoying an open bar and bidding on delicious dining packages in the silent auction. Proceeds from Garden Party 30 support the Center’s life-enhancing and |
WIG NIGHT OUT comes to New York for POINT Foundation Benefit
WIG NIGHT OUT!
kids! The Supreme Wig Council invites you to wear your most outlandish
wig and come over to the Stonewall Inn for the inaugural Wig Night Out
New York to benefit Point Foundation.
What began three years
ago in Washington, DC as a small group of friends donning wigs and
donating to charity has blossomed into an innovative and quirky, annual
event. Now we’re taking the fun on the road and coming to New York on
June 15.
Wig Night Out promises regular Joes in street clothes and outlandish wigs, all in an effort to raise money for scholarships for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth.
|
The suggested donation is $10 and includes a complimentary cocktail. Out of town? Wig in the shop? Out of Aquanet? No worries–you can still support WNO and Point Foundation. Just visit http:// Since 2011, Wig Night Out has raised nearly $20,000 for Point For more information, visit us at www.wignightout.org |
Gornell Roman Arrested in Connection with Killing Mark Carson
ARRESTED!
Village that police say was one of several anti-gay attacks in recent
days.
Gornell Roman was arrested on charges of assault and aggravated harassment, both as hate crimes.
Roman is accused of yelling an anti-gay remark and attacking a drinking
companion on Monday. Roman and the victim, Dan Contarino, lived at a
nearby homeless shelter.
It was one of 2 anti-gay attacks authorities announced Tuesday following the killing of a gay man over the weekend. midnight
Police said two men were walking in lower Manhattan Tuesday morning when
two other men yelled homophobic slurs in Spanish and attacked them. Two
suspects were arrested on hate crime assault charges.
Mark Carson was killed Saturday as he walked with a companion through
Greenwich Village. Police say a man charged with murder as a hate crime
shot Carson just blocks from the Stonewall Inn, where riots sparked the
modern gay-rights movement in 1969.
Following the deadly shooting, officials said police would increase
their presence there and in nearby neighborhoods through the end of
June, Gay Pride Month.
Carson’s shooting came after reports of several other anti-gay attacks
in recent weeks. Those include an assault on two men who were walking
arm-in-arm near Madison Square Garden on May 5, police said.
New Yorks THE CENTER hosts Anti Gay Hate Violence Rally
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 |
New York City to Spend $60 Million on Tourism
DID YOU KNOW?
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
WINNER!
NYC X DESIGN Happens in New York May 10 – 21
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 10th through Tuesday, May 21st, 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.”
The Center SUMMER CAMP Events
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
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.
As always, host Adam Sank (NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Sirius-XM OutQ) keeps the show moving gaily forward.
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
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 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.
