Cynthia Nixon to Host A NIGHT OF A THOUSAND GENDERS at Joe's Pub, 3/23

The Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project will present its second annual benefit, A Night of A Thousand Genders, an evening of cocktails followed by a very special one-night-only cabaret evening celebrating the beauty and resilience of gender expansive youth and their families on Monday, March 23, 2015 from 6:00-8:30pm at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street).

The second annual Night of a Thousand Genders will be hosted by Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Cynthia Nixon ("Sex and The City") and will feature performances by Drama Desk nominee Lindsay Mendez (Wicked), American Singer/Songwriter Joe Stevens ("Last Man Standing"), Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots), and Youth Pride Chorus, with Music Direction by Emmy Award-winning composer Lance Horne.

The first annual Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project Family Award will be given to the Jazz Jennings Family. By opening up to media, Jazz Jennings and her family were among the first families to raise public awareness about the lives and needs of gender expansive youth and their communities. The Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project is honoring the amazing and proud mother, father and siblings who have fought to keep Jazz safe, happy and thriving. They have taken the risk to show us that we all have a beautiful and unique gender journey. It is our turn to thank them for showing the way. The first annual Community Award will be given to the Central Park East 2 Middle School. Over the past year, CPE2 has collaborated with The Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project, focusing on inclusivity in the classroom. They have developed gender inclusivity curriculum and policies in a continuation of their anti-bullying efforts and dedication to the well being of each child.

The event is sponsored by the Ackerman Institute for the Family and by Honorary Chairs, Academy and Grammy Award-winning lyricist and composer, Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell and Pippin) and award-winning author Kate Bornstein ("Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and The Rest of Us" ). The event Co-Chairs are Jane Miller Rennert, Jeremy Matz, and Christopher Scott.

A Night of a Thousand Genders begins with cocktails at 6:00PM followed by the benefit performance beginning at approximately 7:00PM. Following the event there will be an After Party in the Library at the Public Theatre with music by Casey Spooner (Fischerspooner). All proceeds from this annual event will support The Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project's mission to raise awareness about the critical need for more services supporting families of gender expansive youth, at home and in schools, as well as expanding its staff and scope of services in the greater New York area and beyond.

Jean Malpas, Director, Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project: "We are extremely excited and grateful for the support of Cynthia Nixon and the talented performers for this event. Ms. Nixon is a fierce and articulate advocate for a more inclusive world. We are deeply grateful that she has chosen to lend her voice to our crucial message: "Acceptance is Protection."

"Acceptance is Protection" is The Ackerman Institute's Gender & Family Project's beacon and we are dedicated to spread acceptance, and therefore protection, and celebrate our transgender and gender expensive youth. We are on the ground working together with families, caregivers, schools, communities and professionals to translate this message of acceptance into an everyday reality. Our program has expanded quickly and dramatically to respond to the significant needs for family services. We welcome our growing community and look forward to creating the safe and gender inclusive environments all children and adolescents need".

Stephen Schwartz, Honorary Chair: "I ' m proud to lend my support as Honorary Chair to the Ackerman Institute's Gender and Family Project's benefit. GFP's vision is urgent and important : every gender nonconforming youth and every caregiver deserves to be accepted and protected. GFP creates a brighter future for gender expansive youth and their families , and I'm honored to help call attention to such a fine program."

Kate Bornstein is an author, performance artist, playwright and public speaker who has written several award-winning books in the field of Women and Gender Studies, including Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and The Rest of Us, and My Gender Workbook. Her 2006 book, Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws was an underground best seller, propelling Kate into an international position of advocacy for marginalized youth. She has earned two citations of honor from the New York City Council and garnered praise from civil rights groups around the globe. Her latest book, a memoir from Beacon Press was released this May with the title: A Queer and Pleasant Danger: the true story of a nice Jewish boy who joins the Church of Scientology and leaves twelve years later to become the lovely lady she is today. Kate lives in New York City with her girlfriend, three cats, two dogs, and a turtle.

Stephen Schwartz is an Academy and Grammy Award-winning lyricist and composer of Broadway hits Wicked, Godspell and Pippin.

Jazz Jennings is a 14 year old transgender girl, activist, and honorary co-founder of the Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation. Jazz speaks at schools, colleges, conferences, and is the co-author of the book, I am Jazz. Jazz also appeared on two 20/20 with Barbara Walters Specials. Her first story, My Secret Self was Emmy nominated and won a GLAAD award. Her second story, Listening to Jazz won a GLAAD award in 2013. Jazz has been featured on a variety of major programs and news outlets, including: Katie, Dr. Drew, 60 Minutes, Teen Vogue, the Rosie Show, an Oprah Winfrey Network documentary: I am Jazz: A family in Transition and many others. Jazz was honored and recognized at the 2013 GLAAD Awards, where she met former President Bill Clinton. Jazz is the youngest recipient of the Colin Higgins Youth Courage Award. She was also listed on The Advocate Magazine's, Top 40 Under 40 list, Out Magazine's Top 100 list , and the Trans 100 List for 2014. She received LogoTV's Trailblazer Award and Equality Florida's, Voice for Equality award. She is on TIME Magazine's Top 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014 list and the Huffington Post's 14 Most Fearless Teens of 2014 list. Jazz is also a youth ambassador for the Human Rights Campaign, and has her own mermaid tail company, Purple Rainbow Tails that raises money for transgender children.

Central Park East II (CPE II) is a small progressive public school in East Harlem. They are currently are a preK through 5th grade school, but will be expanding to 8th grade over the next three years. The school values its diverse population, making a home for a range of students in terms of race, class, and gender. All classes at CPE II are inclusive and support a wide range of learners. They are a collaborative community that works together to create a safe, caring, academically challenging and joyful school environment for all children. Their small size allows us to know each child and family well. Students are included in the discussion and resolution of school issues, giving them a sense of responsibility for their learning and behavior. Maintaining a positive school tone is a primary goal. CPE II provides an enriched education to all students. In addition to quality instruction in traditional academic subjects, all children at CPE II receive instruction in the arts, including visual and performing arts. Work time is a school-wide program that gives children time to express and combine personal interests with a multitude of decision-making skills and opportunities.

Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner Cynthia Nixon made her film debut in Little Darlingsat the age of 12 and her Broadway debut at 14 in The Philadelphia Story. Since then she has appeared in over 40 plays and countless films and television shows. She has been directed by Sidney Lumet, Louis Malle, Milos Forman, Mike Nichols and Robert Altman. Perhaps best known for her role as Miranda in the HBO series Sex and the City, Nixon will appear in upcoming projects including Richard Loncraine's 5 Flights Up opposite Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton, as well as James White, an indie film written and directed by Josh Mond, and Nikole Beckwith's drama Stockholm, Pennsylvania, opposite Saoirse Ronan. In real life Cynthia has played an important role in fighting for NYC's public schools and marriage equality. She lives in downtown Manhattan with her wife Christine Marinoni and their three children Samantha, Charlie, and Max.

On Broadway, Lindsay Mendez was most recently seen playing Elphaba in the smash hit,Wicked. Her time there included performances on The Today Show and the Katie Couric show, in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the production. Other Broadway credits include Godspell (2011 Revival), Everyday Rapture (Roundabout), Grease (2007 Revival.) Off-Broadway credits include Dogfight* directed by Joe Mantello (2nd Stage, *Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations for Best Actress,) Everyday Rapture(2nd Stage) The Marvelous Wonderettes. Other credits include Saturday Night (York Theater), Hermione in The Public's production of The Winter's Tale (The DelaCorte Theater) Lin Manuel Miranda's production of 21 Chump Street as part of This American Life LIVE at BAM, A Little More Alive (KC Rep, directed by Sheryl Kaller), Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM, Princesses (Goodspeed, 5th Avenue Theatre), Jacques Brel...(TRTC). Lindsay has a jazz/contemporary music group with pianist Marco Paguia. In spring of 2013, they made their Lincoln Center debut with the American Songbook series. Their debut album, This Time, is available on their website, and on iTunes. www.LindsayMendez.net

Currently playing the role of Lola in the hit Broadway Musical Kinky Boots Kyle Taylor Parker is a New York based Actor/Singer/Dancer filled with joy and gratitude. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Kyle has been singing, dancing and acting since he was five. In addition to being a member of the original Broadway company of Kinky Boots. Kyle's other credits include: National Tour: In The Heights Regional: Hair, I Left my Heart in San Francisco Broadway's Rising Stars. Follow Kyle on tour by tuning in to his video blog, Kinky Nation: Touring the Land with Lola.

American singer/songwriter, guitar and banjoman, Joe Stevens is a third-generation professional musician in a long line of restless westward moving souls. From his roots as an awkward kid with a debilitating stutter, through dark years of alcohol and drug addiction, Joe's music touches on themes all at once specific and ubiquitous, portraying the human condition distilled - where one person's story is truly everyone's story. Joe's music rides the edge of the first wave of transgender performers to break through into the public consciousness. The social media explosion combined with shifting public opinion created the conditions that enabled trans and queer artists, a highly marginalized and often isolated subculture, to connect and gain visibility throughout the world. Joe performs and gives workshops on songwriting and queer/trans issues at colleges and universities and is a social justice activist for underdogs of all stripes, committed to honoring their vital contributions to the greater collective evolution.

Youth Pride Chorus harnesses the power of the performing arts to galvanize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight young people ages 13-22 as agents of change. YPC refuses homophobia, bullying, and all forms of hate by boldly asserting the joy, diversity, strength, and pride of today's youth. YPC singers discover their own power by empowering others in schools, online, and for the general public through electrifying performances of the highest caliber. YPC has performed as guest artists at the GLAAD Media Awards, GLSEN's Respect Awards, Broadway Backwards at Lincoln Center, and with Cyndi Lauper on her True Colors Tour and her Home For The Holidays concert benefitting homeless LGBT youth. In 2003, Big Apple Performing Arts and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center's Center Youth program came together to create YPC. YPC is under the artistic direction of Wes Webb and music direction of Rona Siddiqui.

Lance Horne is a composer-lyricist who has performed alongside, composed, and/or provided arrangements for Alan Cumming, Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, Kristin Chenoweth, Ricki Lake, Pink Martini, the von Trapps, Jake Shears/Scissor Sisters, Justin Bond, Sandra Bernhard, Ben Folds, Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer/Dresden Dolls, Boston Pops, and toured the world with Meow Meow. He has performed for President Obama, the First Lady, and Queen Elizabeth. Lance has conducted return engagements at Sydney Opera House and international tours of Handel's Messiah Rocks and Jekyll & Hyde. He co-music directed/co-arranged Prometheus Bound by Steven Sater and Serj Tankian and Cabaret starring Amanda Palmer, both at American Repertory Theatre. He contributed original material and arrangements to Vegas! The Show currently playing at Planet Hollywood Casino in Vegas, music directed the Sater/Sheik Alice by Heart for the National Theater in London, and provided the vocal arrangements for the Broadway production of Little Women. His debut album First Things Last released on Yellow Sound Label with concurrent concerts at Lincoln Center and on the West End. TV includes theme for The Ricki Lake Show (Fox), multiple Macy's Thanksgiving Parades (NBC). Lance received a daytime Emmy for Best Original Song; the Jonathan Larson Award; a Bistro Award for producing Alan Cumming's album, I Bought a Blue Car Today; the ASCAP Foundation Jamie DeRoy Award for Emerging Songwriter; and an Interlochen Ovation Award. Lance is a Steinway Artist with BM, MM in Composition, The Juilliard School. For compositions, visit lancehorne.com

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