Photo Coverage: Night of 1000 Gowns Celebrates LGBT Community

The Night of a Thousand Gowns celebrating the LGBT community - the colorful cross-dressing segment of that community -took place on Saturday, March 26 in New York City. In its twenty-five year history, the Court has donated over a million dollars to worthy LGBT, HIV/AIDS and youth enrichment related causes. This year the Night of a Thousand Gowns expects 1,000 attendees to raise important funds for the Ali Forney Center and the Trevor Project.

Author Cheryl Kilodavis was knighted as a Dame. The strong anti-bullying message in her book "My Princess Boy," about her acceptance of her young son who likes "pretty things" like the color pink, sparkly dresses, and ballet tutus, this year captured international media attention. LGBT advocate, author and philanthropist David Mixner received the Imperial Diamond Award.

Those in attendance included: Ally Sheedy; Alex McCord & Simon van Kempon (Real Housewives of New York); Dina Manzo (Real Housewives of New Jersey); Joyce Randolph (The Honeymooners); Carson Kressley (Queer Eye For the Straight Guy); dame Robin Strasser (One Life to Live); Miss New York State Claire Duffy; LGBT advocate David Mixner; Lt. Dan Choi; photographer Mike Ruiz (RuPaul's Drag Race); stylist Robert Verdi; Amanda Lepore; fashion designer Richie Rich; Wilson Cruz (He's Just Not That Into You); Sahara Davenport and Manila Luzon (RuPaul's Drag Race); Chris March (Project Runway); Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Rent); singer Sir Ari Gold; newscaster Ron Corning; singer Erika Jayne; DJ Chi Chi Larue; Zelma Davis (C&C Music Factory); Chad Ryan; designer Jefrey Banks; designer Marc Bouwer; DJ Johnny Dynell; Sir Hugh Hildesley (Sotheby's); Sir Mark Nelson; Chi Chi Valente - Jackie Factory; Pepper Mashay; Sylvia Tosun; Electra St. Jill; Roger Reese; Epiphany Get Paid; the cast of off-Broadway's My Big Gay Italian Wedding; and members of the Imperial Court of New York.

Emperor XIX Jack & Empress XXIV Farrah Moans crowned Imperial Crown Prince Royal Vanity Society & Imperial Crown Princess Royale Pepperica Swirl as Emperor XX and Empress XXV.

The Night featured live performances from the Imperial Court as well as Pop/Dance artists: Pepper Mashay, Zelma Davis, Sylvis Tosun, Sir Ari Gold, Erika Jayne, from Broadway: the cast of My Big Gay Italian Wedding and Chad Ryan. 

BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Wilson Jermaine Heredia

Wilson Jermaine Heredia

Emporer Craig XVI and Kyle Collins

Marni Gras and FrEd Wolfe-Woude

Express XV Fiona St. James and Emporer Damian Valentino

Anne Tique and Tony Monteleone

Princess Royale Pepperica Swirl and Prince Royal Vanity

Chad Ryan

John Ribson

James William and Fantasia

Wilson Cruz

Wilson Cruz

Wilson Cruz

Empress XXIV Farrah Moans and Emporer XIX Jack

Mike Ruiz

Mike Ruiz

Cheryl Kilodavis

Gabriel Della Notte and Pepper Mashay

Sylvia Tosum

Mike Ruiz and Sylvia Tosum

Ari Gold

David Mixner

Lt. Dan Choi and Miss Continental Elite

T.J. Kelly

Dan Corton, Stevie Hanigan, T.J. Kelly and John Bender

Chi Chi La Rue

Dina Manzo

Dina Manzo

Dina Manzo

Simon van Kempon and Alex McCord

Miss New York Claire Buffie

Miss New York Claire Buffie

John and Suzanne Greco

Caroline Loevner and Beau from Angels on a Leash

Marc Levine and Phillip Laffey from the Ali Forney Center

From Ru Paul's Drag Race-Alexis Manteo, Delta Work, Sahara Davenport and Manila Luzon

Chris Casale, Jerome Kuper, Lakiha Mondale, Peter Brox, Brandon Ortiz and Vito Pnozio from Bioscrip

President of the Board-Gary Cosgrove

Gary Cosgrove

Gary Cosgrove and Express X Ran-Dee

Gary Cosgrove and Express X Ran-Dee

Epiphany Get Paid

The cast of the opening number- "New York, New York"

The cast of the opening number- "New York, New York"

The cast of the opening number- "New York, New York"

The cast of the opening number- "New York, New York"

Chad Ryan

Chad Ryan

Chad Ryan

Chad Ryan

Chad Ryan

Chad Ryan