Photo Flash: Night of 1000 Gowns Red Carpet!

The Night of a Thousand Gowns celebrating the LGBT community - the colorful cross-dressing segment of that community -took place on Saturday, March 31 in New York City. In its twenty-six year history, the Court has donated over a million dollars to worthy LGBT, HIV/AIDS and youth enrichment related causes. This year the Night of a Thousand Gowns raised important funds to benefit PFLAG NYC and New Alternatives. BWW was there to cover this event. Check out the red carpet photos below!

The Imperial Diamond Award recipient was Mike Ruiz, celebrity and fashion photographer.

Honorary Chairs included Tabatha Coffey from Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, National Radio DJ Elvis Duran, Actor Joanna Gleason, Comedy’s Queen of Mean Lisa Lampanelli, Celebrity Fashion Stylist Lauren Rae Levy, Actress Rose McGowan, Actor Christopher Sarandon, and 2X Olympic and 3X National Figure Skating Champion Johnny Weir

The event featured performances by comedian Lisa Lampanelli, vocalist/bandleader Terese Genecco, DJ Johnny Dynell, dance music recording artist Reina, Billboard and MTV Logo chart-topping recording artist Adam Barta, Sarah Atereth, Amra-Faye Wright and the cast of Chicago, recording Artist Kelly King and Broadway Actress Marissa Rosen, and NYC Drag Star Ebonee Excell.

There was a Midnight Coronation of Imperial Crown Prince Royal Ritz Kraka and Imperial Crown Princess Royale Witti Repartee, as well as a Decade Anniversary Celebration with H.I.M. Emperor XII Mathius Bloussant and H.I.M. Empress XVI Lita Austin.

For more information about the event, visit www.icny.org.

The Imperial Court of New York is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that has donated over a million dollars since its inception in 1986. The Court has gained recognition in the tri-state New York City region for the tireless work it has done on behalf of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of New York City (PFLAG NYC) is the founding chapter of PFLAG, the nation’s foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Launched in New York City in 1973 by mothers and fathers who stood up for their gay children, PFLAG NYC started a national movement that now has more than 250,000 members and supporters in over 500 chapters throughout the United States. PFLAG NYC’s mission is to create a better future for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth and adults through a partnership of parents, allies, and LGBT people.

This year’s Silent Auction benefitted New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth. It was created in October, 2008 by a group of volunteers and professionals with experience working with homeless LGBT youth in various shelter and transitional housing settings. The mission of the organization is to increase the self-sufficiency of homeless LGBT youth to enable them to “go beyond” the shelter system and transition into stable adult lives. They do this by providing services such as case management, education services, life skills training, community-building recreational activities, opportunities for self-expression, and support services for HIV+ youth. The guiding principles are those of harm reduction, youth development, and empowerment.

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi