Out at the Center

Hosted by Adam Sank, the Center’s half-hour TV show offers a full recap of Pride 2008 including highlights from Garden Party 25 with Lisa Fernandes from season four of Bravo’s Top Chef working the crowd and emcee Kate Clinton running the main stage; Pride celebrations in New Jersey, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Rally, the Center Kids Picnic and Folsom Street East; the Dyke March and the Day of Trans Justice; and the Pride receptions of the Manhattan and Queens Borough Presidents and the New York City Comptroller. This program is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

Over 2,300 guests attended the Center's Garden Party 25 on Pier 54. More than 35 restaurants participated in what has become the premiere LGBT tasting event in the country. Kate Clinton emceed from the main stage as Lisa Fernandes from Bravo's Top Chef worked the crowd. More than $280,000 was raised to benefit the services of the Center. Here are some highlights. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

On Saturday, June 14th the proud people of Brooklyn came out after sundown to celebrate Pride. Not even pouring rain could put out their Pride spirit. The Center was proud to be represented as a grand marshal with Board President Bruce Anderson. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

On Sunday, June 29th, The Center contingent marched proudly as a grand marshal in the Manhattan Pride March. Our theme this year was Meet Me at the Center and the float reflected the Center's presence serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of New York City for 25 years. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

On June 28th, 2008, the 20th annual Center Kids Pride Picnic took place. For the 7th year in a row the church of St. Luke in the Fields hosted the event in their garden. Kids, parents and many volunteers turned out for a what was a very fun afternoon of games, eats and playtime. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

In 1989, a unique installation of public art took place at the Center. Well-known and emerging artists were invited to create pieces celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots for what was called The Center Show. This year, as the Center celebrates it’s 25th anniversary, former Center board president David Nimmons and artist Gary Speziale recall the days when the exhibition was installed and take a tour of the building to find some the pieces that can still be found on walls, stairways and other secret hiding places. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

Here are some highlights from the AIDS Walk this May in Central Park with moving funny and moving testimonials from Team Center participants, along with upbeat footage of the walkers. More than $18,000 was raised to benefit the HIV/AIDS prevention and support services offered by the Center. Thanks to Team Center and you for your support. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

According to Gay City News, a crowd estimated at more than 25,000 enjoyed sunny skies and revelry at the 16th Annual Queens Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade and Festival, on Sunday, June 1 in Jackson Heights. The parade's grand marshals were Lower East Side Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, who is that body's only openly lesbian or gay member besides Quinn; State Assemblyman José Peralta; and Richard Burns, executive director of the LGBT Community Center in the West Village, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. As New York State Senator Tom Duane notes in his brief comments, the parade truly reflected the nature of the neighborhood. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

Out at the Center was on hand to cover New Jersey Pride in Asbury Park on a beautiful Sunday in June. Our cameras caught the parade and the festival, where we spoke with volunteers and visitors in the Center's tent and local activist Barbra Casbar Siperstein. The residents of New Jersey showed they have plenty of Pride.

Out at the Center's Rick Borutta covered Folsom Street East 2008 where, in his words, close to 10,000 revelers strapped it, stuffed it or snuffed it at the annual block party for the fetish crowd. Sexual freedom was the catch phrase, and it's expression cam in many styles. The Center was also on hand with a booth and volunteers handing condoms, lube and temporary tatoos. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

In June of 1970, a year after the Stonewall Riots, a march took place on what was then called Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day. It went up one lane of traffic on Sixth Avenue to the Sheep Meadow in Central Park. In part two of the lesbian and gay senior experience, individuals who were there that day talk about the march. Thanks to one of them, Jerry Hoose, we have archival footage allowing us to relive the first Gay Liberation Day. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

Writer Amy Hoffman visited the Center to read from her book An Army of Ex-Lovers. In it she recounts her experiences at Boston’s Gay Community News with then managing editor, now Center executive director, Richard Burns. She was joined by Stefanie Grant who read from her work, Map of Ireland. This audio podcast is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To hear more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

The Center's half-hour show hosted by Laverne Cox, debuts never-before-seen personal archival footage of the first Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day March up Sixth Avenue to the Sheep Meadow with commentary by lesbian and gay elders who were on the scene; the alumni of Gay and Lesbian Youth of New York talk about their experiences organizing as youth in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and giving back to the youth of today; former Center board president David Nimmons and artist Gary Speziale recall the installation of The Center Show in 1989; writers Amy Hoffman and Stefanie Grant read from their work; Gay City News reporter Sam Oglesby talks to journalist Michael Luongo about his travels as a gay man in the Muslim world and volunteers from Team Center highlight the AIDS Walk of 2008.

Jonathan Ned Katz, Amber Hollibaugh, Thomas Glave and the Center's Terry Boggis sat down for a panel on 'Coming Out at 70' to discuss issues of growing old and LGBT senior visibility. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out. The show is made possible thanks to members of the Center and viewers like you. To find out more, join or donate go to www.gaycenter.org/support

On June 7th, 2008 Out at the Center took the Ferry to Staten Island to capture Pride with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of this borough. Here are the highlights. For more Pride highlights from other boroughs and New Jersey stay tuned to Out at the Center next month. Out at the Center is a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. You can watch it online at: www.gaycenter.org/out

Here are some highlights from the popular Bears on the Run Tour, sponsored by Logo, and benefiting the Center. This excerpt features performances by Matthew Temple, Elijah Black, Bobaloo, Shannon Grady, and Kendall. Find out more information at bearsontherun.com. This video excerpt is from Out at the Center, a TV show of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of New York City. To see more episodes go to gaycenter.org/out

The Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project or CHAMP presented a forum at the Center on Rethinking HIV Risk for Black Men Having Sex with Men. The event drew a large audience to discuss the issue of rising rates of HIV in this community. Speakers included Kenyon Farrow from CHAMP, Greg Millet from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Tokes Osubu from Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD), and Michael Angelo Robeson from People of Color in Crisis (POCC). This video clip is an excerpt from Out at the Center a TV program from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center.

Out at the Center now takes you to the world of sports where we check in with the gay basketball league and the metropolitan tennis group. Both gay sports leagues are thriving and their members are having fun, staying fit and changing perceptions about gay stereotypes. This is an excerpt from Out at the Center, a TV show of the LGBT Community Center of NYC.

Garden Party 25 Preview The Center kicks off Pride week in Manhattan with the 25th edition of Garden Party on Monday, June 23rd. Come join us on the pier for the premiere LGBT tasting event in the country. Garden Party Emcee Kate Clinton will lead a line up of top entertainment on the mainstage. Go to gaycenter.org/gardenparty to buy tickets, or sign up to volunteer.

This year the Center is celebrating 25 years serving New York’s LGBT Community and will march as grand marshal in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan Pride. The Center will be at pride in all five boroughs, Long Island, and New Jersey. Our theme is 'Meet me at the Center.' You can log on for details at gaycenter.org/pride or e-mail Rob at pride2008@gaycenter.org to volunteer or participate.

NewFest, New York’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Film Festival, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. NewFest Artistic Director, Basil Tsiokos, sat down with Out at the Center to give us a preview of this year’s festival. He spoke about the Gala and Centerpiece films including Tru Loved, Chris and Don, Steam, and Were the World Mine. Tickets for the general public go on sale today: www.newfest.org

In 2003, after Sakia Gunn was murdered in Newark, NJ for rejecting the sexual advances of her killer, both the justice system and the media coverage were extremely limited and sluggish in comparison to that of Matthew Sheppard. Filmmaker Charles Brack and other activists have something to say about the circumstances of her death and what we should be doing to honor Sakia and prevent another tragedy. They spoke with Out at the Center while still working on the film, which is now screening at festivals. You can see it at NewFest in June: www.newfest.org and check the website for more information: www.sakiagunnfilmproject.com

Thanks to everyone who gave generously to support the HIV/AIDS prevention and support services of the Center. We lucked out with the weather and had a sunny morning. We were a smaller group this year, but a very friendly bunch of people. The shirts were a hit - even if gray does not stand out as much as yellow. If you did not a chance to donate yet, you can still do so here:http://gaycenter.org/aidswalk

Two-time Tony Award-winning playwright Edward Albee visited the Center to talk about his work, the course of his career, the art of playwrighting, politics and aging as a gay man in America. David Rothenberg, an original member of the board of the Center in 1983, conducted the interview.

The Center's half-hour show is hosted by Mimi Gonzalez and includes a conversation with Edward Albee; a discussion on queer aging, or Coming Out at 70, with Jonathan Ned Katz, Amber Hollibaugh, Thomas Glave and Terry Boggis; a panel on being queer behind bars with formerly incarcerated persons; a forum on Rethinking HIV Risk for Black Men Having Sex with Men; a preview of this year’s NewFest with Basil Tsiokos and highlights from the Bears on the Run concert.

The current generation of LGBT seniors came of age amidst the profound social changes of the 1950's 60's, and 70's. Their stories reflect queer history from the isolation of the past, to the triumphs of the present day. Part one of this two part series, takes a look at what it was like to be "gay" before the Stonewall uprising, when lesbians and gays felt enormous pressure to conform. Out at the Center sat down to hear the experiences of these individuals who are currently active with SAGE or Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders.

Homophobia, stigma and discrimination are still major issues confronting the black gay community. This next segment will look at the history and activities of Gay Men of African Descent, or GMAD, a group that started in 1986 right here at the Center. GMAD is now based in Harlem and continues to fight homophobia and provide a supportive community to the black gay men of New York City.

Cynthia Wade, producer and director of Freeheld, stopped by the Center to talk about her documentary, winning that award and the social politics of her film that depicts both a human rights struggle and a love story.

The New York Association of Independent Schools and Center Kids co-sponsored a school fair for LGBT parents. The Center's Terry Boggis was on hand to speak with school administrators, teachers and parents about this historic event. Learn more at http//: www.gaycenter.org/families

For the last two years Center Kids, Center Families has presented a popular gay parenting panel for 'Men Having Babies.' Attorneys, doctors, and surrogates came to offer their advice to wannabe dads. Learn more at http//: www.gaycenter.org/families