James Adomian & Cameron Esposit Headlines Comedy Benefit UNCIVIL UNION Tonight

Leading lights from the comedy world's cutting edge, including James Adomian, Cameron Esposito will headline UNCIVIL UNION, an all-star show tonight, November 7th benefitting The Ally Coalition and New Alternatives, as part of the New York Comedy Festival. Special guest set from Reggie Watts.

Founded by members of the Grammy Award-winning band FUN. and designer Rachel Antonoff, The Ally Coalition works with members of the music, fashion and entertainment worlds to raise awareness of LGBTQ equality and funding for local LGBTQ groups across the country.

!"UNCIVIL UNION combines two of our favorite entertainments - music and comedy - to celebrate equality," said The Ally Coalition co-founders Rachel Antonoff, Nate Ruess, Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost. "Even better is that we can support terrific local organizations tirelessly working for equal rights."

!In keeping with its mission, funds raised through UNCIVIL UNION will benefit New Alternatives For LGBT Homeless Youth, which helps homeless LGBT youth become self-sufficient and transition into stable adult lives.

!JAMES ADOMIAN was a finalist on the 2010 season of Last Comic Standing, and his many characters appear as celebrated guests all over the pod-o-sphere. His debut standup comedy album, LOW HANGIN' FRUIT, was released in 2012 via Earwolf to rave reviews.

CAMERON ESPOSITO made her memorable late night debut on CBS' The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, in which Craig Ferguson and guest Jay Leno called her the "future of comedy." Cameron just released her second comedy album, Same Sex Symbol, via the Kill Rock Stars label, and

can be heard on her popular podcasts, Wham Bam Pow and Put Your Hands Together. More talent will be announced soon.

!Hilarious, brilliant, unpredictable - comedian/musician REGGIE WATTS is a staple of the international performance scene. He is currently a series regular on IFC's ever-popular Comedy Bang! Bang!, and continues to release his incredibly unique musical content regularly.

"New Alternatives is excited to partner with the Ally Coalition on this event which will help support LGBT homeless youth in New York City," said Kate Barnhart, Executive Director of New Alternatives for LGBT Youth. "It is our responsibility as LGBT adults to take responsibility for making sure that these youth are able to find safety and community."

!THE ALLY COALITION IS COLLECTING WARM HATS AND GLOVES FOR NEW ALTERNATIVES at Uncivil Union. The first 98 donors will get a limited edition Uncivil Union poster. We will collect at the doors as people enter the venue. Up to 90% of youth currently experiencing homelessness do not have access to shelter. Many will have to resort to sleeping outdoors. As it gets colder outside, the need for basic warm clothing exceeds the supply that organizations like New Alternatives have.

Additional support for UNCIVIL UNION is provided by comedy network Above Average: "We're a comedy network. We've been creating videos to make you laugh since 2012. Proud members of the Broadway Video family, the people who bring you Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Portlandia, and more."

!Further support is provided by comedy podcast network Earwolf, a company devoted to creating the best, funniest digital content in the world. Earwolf creates and produces original comedy programs such as Comedy Bang Bang, Never Not Funny, Kevin Pollack's Chat Show, distributed through mobile, the web, and external digital platforms. Earwolf used to be called podcasters, but now they are considered digital content creators.

!UNCIVIL UNION is a part of the New York Comedy Festival. Created in 2004, the New York Comedy Festival is a five-day festival featuring more than 200 comedians performing in more than 60 shows at venues throughout the City. The festival is produced by Caroline's on Broadway in association with Comedy Central.

* The $98 VIP ticket price and the number of posters to be given away to given away to hat/glove donors reflects 1998, the year Matthew Shepard was killed. Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete in professional sports, has worn #98 as a tribute.