THE MEETING Honors Justin Vivian Bond Tonight

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - the acclaimed comedy/variety show - will conclude its Spring 2013 season tonight, May 16 at The Duplex in New York's West Village. After a sell-out year, The Meeting* has added a second performance each month due to popular demand; there are now shows at 7:000 PM and 9:30 PM.

Each edition of The Meeting* honors an artist or a cultural work that is iconic to the gay community. The May 9:30 PM show will honor Justin Vivan Bond, who rose to fame as part of the beloved duo Kiki & Herb, but recently has enjoyed a renaissance as an actor, author, visual artist, perfumer and provocateur. But the most groundbreaking contribution has been V's outspoken advocacy for the trans community, putting a spotlight on their emerging visibility by introducing gender-neutral pronouns.

The 7:00 PM show will celebrate the show's 4th anniversary.

On Monday, June 17 at 8:00 PM, the third annual "Night of A Thousand Judys" - the I.O.S.'s third annual Pride concert honoring Judy Garland - will benefit The Ali Forney Center - the nation's largest organization dedicated to serving homeless LGBT youth - will take place at Merkin Concert Hall. The show will feature performances by Martha Wash ("It's Raining Men"), Madeleine Peyroux (platinum-selling vocalist), Christiane Noll (Tony Award nominee for Ragtime), Karen Mason (Wonderland, Hairspray), Molly Pope (Village Voice "Best of NYC 2011") and Danielle Grabianowski (Sleep No More) in addition to other names to be announced. Over the first two years, the concert has featured the talents of Nellie McKay, Michael Musto, Tonya Pinkins, Jackie Hoffman, Karen Akers, Howard McGillin, Ashley Brown, Emily Bergl, Daniel Reichard, Jenn Harris, Paul Iacono, Daisy Eagan and many others.

The Meeting*, the monthly gathering of the I.O.S. (International Order of Sodomites), has become a downtown sensation with its signature blend of outrageous comedy, political and social activism, and cultural education. Justin Sayre - the show's creator, writer and host - serves as the Chairman of the Board. Each month, the I.O.S gathers to educate the membership on essential business of the day through musical performances, skits, trivia and regular features such as "Letters to the Chairman" and "New Rulings from the Board." According to Time Out New York, "The Meeting* has become a cult hit among a young, festive and culturally aware crowd. Sayre is an avatar of modern-retro cultivation."

Justin Sayre was described by Michael Musto in The Village Voice as "Oscar Wilde meets Whoopi Goldberg." In a recent story for Edge New York, Steve Weinstein said "Comedian, raconteur, performing artist, gay rights activist and sexual outlaw: I'm not sure Justin Sayre is classifiable. The veteran performer is on his way to becoming a Downtown Manhattan institution along the lines of Charles Ludlum or Charles Busch." Justin is a child of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania who demonstrated a supernatural instinct for "camp" at an early age. With a voice straight out the MGM finishing school for girls, he moved to New York believing it was still 1947. He was terribly misinformed. As an actor, he has worked and studied with some of the finest professionals in the city. As a gay, Justin has excelled at scarf placement, devilish quips, and a healthy but firm love of the American musical. An evening of his short plays,Justin Sayre Is Alive and Well... Writing - called one of the "Top 10 Events on the New York Stage" by the New York Daily News - sold out two shows at Ars Nova in April. His new play The Click of The Lock, featuring Randy Harrison, Christian Coulson, Blake Daniel and more, recently had its second reading at the Bank Street Theatre.

The monthly events have featured popular guest stars such as Nellie McKay, Justin VivIan Bond, Marilyn Maye, Christian Campbell, Lea DeLaria,Frank DeCaro, Molly Pope, Lance Horne, Lady Rizo, Tituss Burgess, Natalie Joy Johnson, Kenny Mellman, Randy Rainbow, Maude Maggart, Jack Ferver, Murray Hill, Jeffery Self and Cole Escola, Bridget Everett, Steve Hayes, Poor Baby Bree and more. Previous shows have paid tribute to singers such as Dolly Parton and Diana Ross; films like "Valley of the Dolls" and "Beaches"; actresses such as Bea Arthur and Molly Ringwald; as well as playwrights and filmmakers like Tennessee Williams and John Waters.

The I.O.S is the centuries-old secret organization of homosexuals and their friends - modeled after The Mattachine Society and other groups - that sets the mythic gay agenda. "At the heart of the show is community," Justin comments, "something that even with all our advancements, we still find hard to create or to maintain. But the thing that has been amazing to me is the reach of the show. So often, straight men and women, fathers and girlfriends, tell me they have had the best time. Comedy can really show people that we are all funny, fallible human beings stumbling around trying to do the right thing. There are differences of course, but by accepting them and celebrating them we show a pride in our common humanity that is infectious. The Meeting* is a gift: not something that I give, but something that I get. A chance to share my thoughts and ideas but also a great opportunity to celebrate gay culture. That's pretty good, huh?"

Justin Sayre and The Meeting* were named one of the Top 10 nightclub shows of 2011 by Time Out New York, received the 2012 Bistro Award for "Comedy Artistry" and a 2011 MAC Award nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance. Last summer Justin headlined his own show as part of Daniel Nardicio's Icon Series at the Ice Palace on Fire Island, in a season that also featured Liza Minnelli, Alan Cumming, Sandra Bernhard and Margaret Cho. Yale University presented a special edition of The Meeting* in 2011 as part of their Pride Month. The website, www.InternationalOrderofSodomites.com, was recently launched with podcasts, videos, blogs and more.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre is presented at The Duplex (61 Christopher Street at 7th Ave, New York, NY 10014) on Thursday night, May 16 at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. There is two-drink minimum per person. You must be 21+ years of age to attend. For tickets, visit www.BrownPaperTickets.com. The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre is produced by Adam J. Rosen and Dan Fortune.

Photo Credit: Chasi Annexy A