The Ali Forney Center, one of NYC’s premier LGBTQ nonprofits, is launching its first dance-a-thon fundraiser this month in Brooklyn. It’s a fundraiser to bridge nightlife, culinary treats, and LGBTQ entertainment during a full day of DJs, performances, food, and community. The money raised will directly support AFC’s LGBTQ+ homeless youth meals program
On the twentieth anniversary of its founding, the Ali Forney Center is launching the WE ARE FAMILY DANCE-A-THON—an immersive fundraising experience that celebrates New York City, a place where the LGBTQ+ community has always led and organized in such a way that they have changed the landscape of human rights history for the world to see. The event will also commemorate The Ali Forney Center’s namesake – a gender non-binary peer counselor of and advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth who was killed on the streets of New York City – while also supporting a new generation; just in time for the Holidays.
The WE ARE FAMILY DANCE-A-THON will take place from 11am-6pm on Trans Day of Remembrance -Sunday, November 20 at the legendary entertainment complex, the Knockdown Center and fuse the celebratory aspect of a dance-a-thon with the very best of the NYC nightlife scene along with queer foodie chefs cooking up a storm to keep the troupes going.
This whirlwind of creative activity will bring attention to the LGBTQ+ homeless youth community experiencing housing and food insecurities. Participants and teams who have raised crucial funds to feed the clients of the Ali Forney Center will be present to dance the day away with some of NYC’s more scene-y DJs that play the parties and gigs at many of the NYC gay clubs.
This high-energy fundraiser will also see the stage filled with celebrated performers from Eva Reign, star of Amazon Prime’s Anything’s Possible, who alongside NYC drag artist Marti Gould Cummings and Monét X Change will be the host for the day to Junior Mintt, Nicky O, Dahlia Sin, Thee Suburbia, Jason Rodriguez, Bhawk Snipes, and dance-fitness studios Forward_Space and Dance Church.
New York’s top culinary offerings will also be onsite to nourish the dancers with chefs including Ursula’s Eric See, Bill Clark, Tony Ortiz, Greg Rales from Red Gate Bakery, Woldy Kusina, Andy Baraghani, Nasim Lahbichi, Will Coleman, Grossy Pelosy and Jeremy Soloman from Agi’s Counter. All-the-while having helped to maintain the AFC meals program which serves more than 400,000 hot and healthy meals to its clients across 17 NYC housing sites and a 24-hour drop-in center located in Harlem.
November 20th is the annual Trans Day of Remembrance honoring the lives of trans people taken from the world due to anti-transgender violence. The WE ARE FAMILY DANCE-A-THON will uplift transgender voices and pay respect to the those lost due to violence.
Related: 3 Trans Rights Organizations to Donate to this Giving Tuesday
Participants can attend the WE ARE FAMILY DANCE-A-THON to raise money by attending in-person or virtually. Those wanting to get involved can sign up on the Ali Forney website. The Ali Forney Center’s mission is to protect LGBTQ+ youth from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently.