Spring into our Summer Events!

Warmer weather is upon us and at Callen-Lorde, we’re gearing up for our incredible Spring and Summer events lineup! We have a packed calendar with an exciting celebrity-filled kick off in May followed by one of our most anticipated annual events along with three proud new partnerships.

“Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back: Broadway Roasts Michael Musto” hosted on Monday, May 22nd, at 8 pm at The Actors Temple of New York will benefit the vital programs and services at Callen-Lorde. Not many people can draw the funniest names in television, film, theater and social activism into one Broadway theater — and only one would invite them there to read him to filth! Michael Musto is a New York institution. He has partied with and reported on the downtown New York scene since the late ’70s, penning his column for The Village Voice “La Dolce Musto” from 1984 until 2013. He is still a special correspondent for the paper, in addition to being an actor and author of four books.

Emmy award-winning comedian Bruce Vilanch will host the event with loving insults from the biggest names in comedy, including Rosie O’Donnell, The Bianca Del Rio, Mindy Cohn, Jinkx Monsoon and special video appearances by Alan Cumming, Perez Hilton and John Waters!

We would like to extend our thanks to all who signed on to roast Musto with a very special acknowledgement to Lug Nut Entertainment and Johnny Skandros, founder of the gay dating app SCRUFF, who produced the event.

When we finally stop laughing, we’re heading to the Central Park Zoo on June 1st after-hours for ROAR, our annual pride kick off at the Central Park Zoo! Now in our 17th year, ROAR has grown to be one of the most anticipated events of New York City’s Pride season. This one of a kind event brings nearly 1,000 guests together for live entertainment, open bars, a delicious picnic and exclusive access to all the exhibits. This year DJ collective Occupy the Disco will be headlining the dance floor spinning summer beats to help you unleash your inner pride party animal!

Rounding out the summer, we’re humbled and delighted to be the beneficiaries of three amazing partner events. Saturday, June 24th marks the 36th annual Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run! Started in 1982 and named for Patricia Nell Warren’s LGBT-themed novel The Front Runner, this landmark sporting event has been a beacon of freedom and visibility from the early days of the Gay Liberation Movement, through the terrifying early years of the AIDS epidemic – which cut the vibrant lives of many in the group short – through the fight for Marriage Equality to the modern day. This is a day to hit the pavement and show your Pride, and we couldn’t be more proud to be involved.

On Saturday July 15th, Callen-Lorde will join together with The Center and Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) to continue the Hamptons Tea Dance tradition at Nova’s Ark Project in beautiful Watermill, NY. Sponsorships are currently available. For more information about the Hamptons Tea Dance, please contact info@hamptonsteadance.org.

Lastly, join us in Fire Island for two signature events starting with Women’s Pride in the Pines party on July 29th! This is the 7th year of what has become one of the most elegant happenings in Fire Island Pines. Hosted by the LGBTQ Focus Foundation, Women’s Pride in the Pines invites hundreds of men and women to Whyte Hall for a day and night of dancing, mingling and fundraising.

Finally on August 19th, help us close out the summer with a dip in the pool at Splash! We’re back for the 3rd annual pool party in the Pines hosted at the home of Sean and Barry Godfrey-Reives, drawing over a hundred guests for summer cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the life-saving work of Callen-Lorde. Check back for sponsorships — general tickets will be available in early July!

We hope that you will join us at one or all of these sensational events! See you on the step-and repeat, in the park or on the dance floor!