Carl Siciliano

PLANET CONNECTIONS' PLAYWRIGHTS FOR A CAUSE: This year, this event, designed to address a powerful social and topical issue facing our society today through engaging stage works, will explore the distinctions between gender and sexuality. The event will benefit THE ALI FORNEY CENTER.

In her hit television series 'Maude' Bea Arthur played a tough-as-nails liberal with a soft spot for helping those less fortunate, a portrayal that wasn't far off from what she really was.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to OASIS (298 Eleventh Street, San Francisco CA) tonight, August 1 at 7:00 PM after a sold out debut show in April.

On Monday, July 20, 2015, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the Bea Arthur Residence, an 18-bed residence for homeless LGBT youth operated by the Ali Forney Center. In 2012 the New York City Council and the Manhattan Borough President awarded $3,300,000 for the renovation of a long vacant building owned by the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation Development. The building has now been turned over to the Ali Forney Center in partnership with Cooper Square Committee, and renovations are beginning this month. It is anticipated that the building will begin to provide housing by the end of 2016. 

On Monday, July 20, 2015, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the Bea Arthur Residence, an 18-bed residence for homeless LGBT youth operated by the Ali Forney Center. In 2012 the New York City Council and the Manhattan Borough President awarded $3,300,000 for the renovation of a long vacant building owned by the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation Development. The building has now been turned over to the Ali Forney Center in partnership with Cooper Square Committee, and renovations are beginning this month. It is anticipated that the building will begin to provide housing by the end of 2016. 

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to OASIS (298 Eleventh Street, San Francisco CA) on Saturday, August 1 at 7:00 PM after a sold out debut show in April.

Michael Feinstein, Melissa Errico, Liz Callaway, The Skivvies, Michael McElroy, Lauren Worsham, Cyrille Aimee, Rachel York, Adam Kantor, Randy Graff, Kim David Smith, Danielle Grabianowski, Jonah Verdon, Julie Hill, Molly Pope, Josh Sharp, Aaron Jackson and Brendan Maclean headline the fifth annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - tonight, June 1.

Brendan Maclean - the acclaimed Australian singer/songwriter - will join Michael Feinstein, Melissa Errico, Liz Callaway, The Skivvies, Michael McElroy, Lauren Worsham, Cyrille Aimee, Rachel York, Adam Kantor, Randy Graff, Kim David Smith, Danielle Grabianowski, Jonah Verdon, Julie Hill, Molly Pope, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson to headline the fifth annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - on Monday, June 1.

Michael Feinstein, Molly Pope, John Early and Jonah Verdon will join the previously announced headliners Melissa Errico, Liz Callaway, The Skivvies, Michael McElroy, Lauren Worsham, Cyrille Aimee, Rachel  York, Adam Kantor, Randy Graff, Kim David Smith, Danielle Grabianowski, Julie Hill, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson to headline the fifth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - on Monday, June 1. The Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan). Called "a rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert" by The Wall Street Journal, "Night Of A Thousand Judys" will honor the iconic Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer. There will be a pre-show VIP reception at 6:30 PM and the performance at 8:00 PM.

The Skivvies, Cyrille Aimee, Adam Kantor, Julie Hill, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson will join the previously announced headliners Melissa Errico, Liz Callaway, Michael McElroy, Lauren Worsham, Rachel  York, Randy Graff, Kim David Smith and Danielle Grabianowski for the fifth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - on Monday, June 1. The Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan). Called "a rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert" by The Wall Street Journal, "Night Of A Thousand Judys" will honor the iconic Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer. There will be a pre-show VIP reception at 6:30 PM and the performance at 8:00 PM.

SPARKLE & CIRCULATE with JUSTIN SAYRE - the official monthly podcast of the International Order of Sodomites - has posted the seventh episode, which features an in-depth conversation with Carl Siciliano, founder of the Ali Forney Center, which provides shelter and services for homeless LGBT youth. The show is available on iTunes here.  Every June, Sayre's event Night of a Thousand Judys honors Judy Garland for Pride and raises money for the organization. Carl explains how the center was formed, who Ali Forney was and the challenges they face with fundraising. The first six episodes of the show - featuring interviews with Randy Harrison, Michael Musto, Frank DeCaro, Kim David Smith, Jeffery Self and R&B legend Sarah Dash - are also available. SPARKLE & CIRCULATE is produced by Dan Fortune and Tyrus Emory.

New York's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community today celebrates the New York City Council's overwhelmingly affirmative vote to pass legislation that removes the surgical requirements for transgender people born in New York City to correct the gender markers on their birth certificates.

The fourth annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' -- presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre -- welcomed stars including Sierra Boggess (The Phantom of the Opera), Austin Scarlett ('Project Runway'), Karen Wyman (celebrated 60s pop singer), Alison Fraser (two-time Tony Award nominee), Jackie Hoffman (Hairspray) and Aaron Weinstein (acclaimed jazz violinist), as well as Jane Monheit (Grammy Award nominated jazz star), Sarah Dash (R&B/Disco legend of LaBelle), Rory O'Malley (Tony Award nominee, The Book of Mormon,) Julia Murney (Wicked, The Wild Party), Erin McKeown (folk-rock singer/songwriter) and Gabrielle Stravelli (Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra). Scroll down for photos from the event!

The third annual 'Night of A Thousand Judys' - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - featured Maude Maggart(Entertainment Weekly's 'Must List'), Tituss Burgess ('30 Rock,' Jersey Boys), Rachel Shukert (Starstruck), John Early ('30 Rock') and Becca Blackwell (Untitled Feminist Show). 'Night of A Thousand Judys' honors the legendary singer and actress Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her storied career. Check out photos from the concert below!

The contestants for the seventh annual Broadway Beauty Pageant included Callan Bergmann (Silence! The Musical), Julius C. Carter (SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark), Yurel Echezarreta (Matilda), Matthew Goodrich (The Nance), Orion Griffiths (Pippin), and Paul HeeSang Miller (Mamma Mia!). Four-time Tony nominated and Drama Desk Award-winning actress Tovah Feldshuh hosted the event which took place last night, May 20th, at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the event below!

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, November 4, 2012 - Sunday, November 4, 2012.

Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center Carl Siciliano has announced that the organization's Drop-In Center on West 22nd Street in charge of medical care, HIV testing, mental health services, housing referrals, employment assistance and more, has been destroyed.

The second annual 'Night of A Thousand Judys' - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center - will take place at Playwrights Horizons on Monday, June 18.

This year's Broadway Beauty Pageant took place last night, March 19th, at Symphony Space. The popular event is the annual benefit of New York's Ali Forney Center. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the evening's arrivals and brings you photo coverage below!

Broadway Speaks OUT! hosted its 3rd annual A Very MARY Holiday gala on Thursday, December 8 at Playwrights Horizons. The event, hosted by Marti Gould Cummings, feature performances by Saycon Sengbloh, Bobby Cronin, Katie Thompson, Lauren Elder, Marty Thomas and his Divas, The Broadway Dolls, Stephanie Umoh and more.