BARE Announces Support of Four-Charity Coalition to Champion LGBT Equality

The producers of the new Off-Broadway musical BARE have announced an extraordinary collaboration between the musical and four of the nation's leaders in the fight for LGBT equality.

BARE, a musical that explores the subject of teens exposed to the issues of identity, sexuality and religion, is pleased to have formed a coalition with the following organizations:

Athlete Ally – an organization that encourages all individuals involved in sports to respect every member of their communities, regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and to lead others in doing the same.

The Human Rights Campaign – the nation's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the HRC represents a force of more than one million members and supporters nationwide - all committed to making HRC's vision a reality.

Faith in America – their mission is to educate the public about the harm caused when misguided religious teaching is used to place a religious and moral stamp of disapproval and inequality on the lives of gay and lesbian Americans, with emphasis on its horrific impact on youth and families.

The Tyler Clementi Foundation – guided by the life and story of Tyler Clementi, promotes safe, inclusive and respectful social, environments in homes, schools, campuses, churches and the digital world for LGBT youth and their allies.

"Each of these magnificent organizations is educating the world every day on the importance of tolerance, equality and loving and accepting yourself and others. BARE is honored to support this incredibly important work as we continue to spread these same messages to live audiences eight times a week," producer Paul Boskind said. "To share this journey with four of the country's leading organizations in the fight for LGBT equality is a rare and beautiful alliance from which we will all benefit greatly."

As a testament to their support and belief in the power of this coalition, the producers of BARE will include the charities' logos on key advertising, provide audiences with information and resources on the charities and their missions, and promote the charities through their online tools such as the baremusicalnyc.com website, Facebook and Twitter pages. In addition, the coalition will also be hosting a series of events and "talkOUTs" throughout the run of the show, the details and special guests of which will be announced at a later date.

BARE begins previews Off-Broadway at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) on Monday, November 19, 2012. Opening Night is set for Sunday, December 9, 2012.

The company will feature Taylor Trensch (Peter), Jason Hite (Jason) and Elizabeth Judd (Ivy), with Gerard Canonico (Matt), Jerold E. Solomon (Father Mike), Barrett Wilbert Weed (Nadia) and Missi Pyle (Sister Joan). They will be joined by Casey Garvin (Zack), Ariana Groover (Vanessa), Sara Kapner (Madison), Nick Laughlin (Swing), Alice Lee (Diane), Megan Lewis (Swing), Justin Gregory Lopez (Beto), Michael Tacconi (Nick) and Alex Wyse (Alan).

Featuring music by Damon Intrabartolo and book & lyrics by Jon Hartmere, BARE will be directed by Olivier® Award nominee Stafford Arima (Carrie, Altar Boyz) and choreographed by Emmy® Award nominee Travis Wall ("So You Think You Can Dance"). Additional songs are by Hartmere and Lynne Shankel (Altar Boyz, Cry-Baby, Company). Music supervision and arrangements are also by Lynne Shankel.

Set in a co-ed Catholic boarding school, BARE explores the subject of teens exposed to the issues of identity, sexuality and religion. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling rock score, the musical demonstrates how today's generation is forced to navigate, for the first time, the tightrope between adolescence and adulthood and how far they will go to keep their world intact.

Tickets to BARE may be purchased via www.Telecharge.com, by calling 212-239-6200 or in person at the New World Stages box office (340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue). Ticket prices range from $25 (front row with student ID) to $126.50 (premium). Regular price tickets are $89.75. All ticket prices include a $1.50 facility fee. Please visit Telecharge.com for a complete preview performance schedule as well as holiday performance schedules. The regular performance schedule will be Monday at 8pm, Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2:30pm, and Sunday at 3pm & 7:30pm.

For more about the show, visit www.BareMusicalNYC.com or find it on Facebook www.Facebook.com/BareNYC and Twitter @bareNYC.

Hudson Taylor founded ATHLETE ALLY in January of 2011. An athlete all his life, Hudson experienced demeaning humor in high school and college athletics, but befriended LGBT people when studying theater and Interactive Performance Art at the University of Maryland. Seeing the juxtaposition between the theatre department and the locker room, Hudson felt it was imperative that he confront a side of sports that no athlete should be proud of: sports marginalize LGBT athletes, coaches and others through systemic homophobia and transphobia. Hudson decided that he could no longer watch from the sidelines as his athletic culture isolated and segregated LGBT athletes and betrayed the integrity and diversity at the heart of athletics.

When Hudson wore an LGBT equality sticker from the Human Rights Campaign on his wrestling headgear, he encountered criticism from his peers, but received positive attention from the media. Following his presence in the media, Hudson received hundreds of emails from parents and closeted athletes. This experience inspired him to found this non-for-profit organization, with the mission of educating, encouraging and empowering straight athlete allies to combat homophobia and transphobia in sports.

ATHLETE ALLY is a 501(c)3 nonprofit sports resource encouraging all individuals involved in sports to respect every member of their communities, regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and to lead others in doing the same. Athlete Ally provides social advocacy campaigns, on-campus trainings and practical tools including resources to locate and learn about allied athletes, coaches, teams, athletic clubs and sports-based advocacy projects around the country.

www.AthleteAlly.com
www.Facebook.com/AthleteAlly
@AthleteAlly

FAITH IN AMERICA's mission is to educate the public about the harm caused when misguided religious teaching is used to place a religious and moral stamp of disapproval and inequality on the lives of gay and lesbian Americans, with emphasis on its horrific impact on youth and families. The goal of this education process is to end the advance of religion-based bigotry and the stigma and hostility this uniquely vile form of bigotry promotes toward LGBT individuals and their families. It can no longer be acceptable to bring religion-based bigotry's harm to bear on good, decent human beings solely because of their sexual orientation.

FAITH IN AMERICA's work over the previous two years has helped lay the foundation for a powerful and history-changing conversation and one which will take on profound significance in 2012.

We have injected a new voice into the national dialogue on full and equal rights for gay Americans. No longer will the Tony Perkins, James Dobsons. Michael Browns or Frank Tureks of the world be allowed to justify and promote attitudes of rejection, condemnation and violence with impunity

www.FaithinAmerica.org
www.Facebook.com/FaithinAmerica

As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN represents a force of more than one million members and supporters nationwide - all committed to making HRC's vision a reality.

Founded in 1980, HRC advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizes grassroots actions in diverse communities, invests strategically to elect fair-minded individuals to office and educates the public about LGBT issues.

By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

HRC seeks to improve the lives of LGBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for LGBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other LGBT organizations.

www.HRC.org
www.Facebook.com/HumanRightsCampaign
@HRC

THE TYLER CLEMENTI FOUNDATION, guided by the life and story of Tyler Clementi, promotes safe, inclusive and respectful social, environments in homes, schools, campuses, churches and the digital world for LGBT youth and their allies.

Through educational partnerships, research, public dialogue and awareness programs, TTCF fosters empathetic, constructive discussions of respect and dignity for youth and families, at all levels of society.

We envision a world where human dignity will be exhibited by unconditional love and embraced inclusive of society and regardless of sexual orientation.

THE TYLER CLEMENTI FOUNDATION is focused on creating broad impact in multiple areas. At the root of the organizations reason for existence, lies the core component of honoring Tyler Clementi's legacy and story.

TTCF is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Foundation promotes safe, inclusive and respectful social, environments in homes, schools, campuses, churches and the digital world for LGBT and vulnerable youth, their families and their allies.

www.TheTylerClementiFoundation.org
www.Facebook.com/TheTylerClementiFoundation