HAIR Cast, B.D. Wong, Reichen Lehmkuhl Set For Marriage Equality NY Gala 4/28

On April 28, 2010, Marriage Equality New York (MENY) proudly presents its 12th Annual Gala at Slate (54 West 21st St. NYC) from 6:30pm-9:30pm. This star studded event will honor B.D. Wong, NYS State Senator Jose Peralta, the members of the advocacy group Queer Rising, and lead counsel in the recent anti-Prop 8 legal battle in California, Shannon Minter of the NationalCenter for Lesbian Rights.

Founded in 1998, MENY is the oldest and leading all volunteer grassroots organization in the State of New York advocating full and equal marriage for same-sex couples. A not-for-profit organization, MENY is dedicated to ending discrimination in civil marriage through education, awareness and media campaigns, political actions, and coalition building.

Honorees at MENY'S Gala include Tony Award winner and star of NBC's Law & Order SVU B.D. Wong, NYS State Senator Joe Peralta. In addition MENY is thrilled to announce that Queer Rising and Anti-Proposition 8 lead attorney Shannon Minter Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights will receive MENY awards.

The Broadway cast if HAIR as well as Reichen Lehmkuhl are set to appear, a complete celebrity list of attendees and presenters will be announced leading up to the Gala.

MENY's 12th Annual Gala is officially sponsored by Broadway Speaks OUT and GO Magazine. Broadway Speaks OUT is a groundbreaking talk show and concert series featuring the stars of Broadway and entertainment speaking out for equality and Go Magazine is the largest LGBT women's publication in the nation.

To attend this event in support of Marriage Equality New York visit www.meny.us

Additional information about the Gala's Honorees and Award Winners:

Queer Rising- A leader within the grass roots community, Queer Rising has taken to traditional ways of standing up for civil rights through peaceful protest, acts of disobedience, and making a presence within the community.

NYS State Senator Jose Peralta- Jose Peralta continues his long stand in favor of marriage equality. His recent landslide victory in the 13th State Senatorial district against the incumbent State Senator - who voted no on marriage equality last year - proves that publically standing up for marriage equality is what voters want. MENY believes this is a watershed moment in NYS state politics and that our educational strategy on marriage equality will lead to more State Senators elected this coming November and the passage of marriage equality soon thereafer.

Shannon Mintor- Shannon Mintor is a leading civil rights attorney and was the head of the legal team fighting against California's Proposition 8. Currently she is the Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and an avid civil activist.

B.D. Wong- Tony Award winning actor, GLAAD Award winner, star of film, TV, and stage, B.D. Wong is a longtime leader is fighting for human rights, and he is fearless advocate for LGBT equality, adoption rights, and marriage equality for all people.