By Scott Barbarino***As we approach the end of June and Pride Month, it’s important to support the organizations that support and service the LGBTQIA+ Community all year long. The Ali Forney Center is one of these worthy non profits; it’s the nation’s largest agency dedicated to helping and protecting LGBTQ+ homeless 
youth from the harms of homelessness. Through its 24/7 Drop-In Center, “Ali’s Place,” and a network of 13 emergency and transitional housing sites, the Ali Forney Center serves over 2,200 LGBTQ+ young people annually. As a leader in this effort, the Ali Forney Center supports other organizations that can utilize their expertise to replicate this model of success nationwide and internationally.
And put on your calendar for Pride ’25 not to miss the annual Night Of A Thousand Judys! This year’s edition was a magnificent celebration—a sold-out all-star Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center, played in front of an exuberant audience at Joe’s Pub on Monday, June 3, 2024. Writer and host Justin Elizabeth Sayre brought the show in at a record pace and to dizzying heights of brilliance. Their storytelling and easy conversational style was full of pure genuine love; and their ad libs, when they went off script, were as good and clever as you can get!
The show , as always, honored the iconic Judy Garland with performances by a top tier of special performers. Their time on stage… well, you couldn’t help but be mesmerized. The incredible cast included Nathan Lee Graham, Grey Henson, Nicole Zuraitis, Antwayn Hopper, Edmund Bagnell, Tammy Faye Starlite, Tim Hughes, Gabrielle Beckford and The Boy Band Project (Jesse Corbin, Chris Messina, Nicolas Metcalf, Travis Nesbitt). Every one of these artists surmounted the incredible feat of delivering numbers that we, quite frankly, 
know can never be done better than they were by their originator. Each performer was able to bring love of this legend, Garland, and elements of their own in the delivery of these classic showstoppers. One would imagine Judy would have been pleased by the performances— and blushed to hear Tammy Faye Starlite’s version of “You Made Me Love You,” which she freshened up—and I mean freshened. Downtown legend and doyenne Bond received the well-deserved First Annual Judy Icon Award.
Judy Garland, who we lost 55 years ago, holds a special place in all our hearts. I never personally saw her live or met her at a party, but when I was a young pup I met many people who had had that experience, and they all had their stories. While I’m sure some 
embellished their remembrances, you kinda didn’t need to for Judy. One thing I do remember and actually experienced was how many of her original OG fans felt it was sacrilege for cabaret singers to sing “Over The Rainbow.” I once had cabaret legend Jan Wallman say to me about a performer in one show, “She’s a remarkable singer, but I wish she hadn’t included “Over The Rainbow” … that’s Judy’s and Judy’s alone!” Well, I can say the way around that is to have a full room of Judy lovers singing this anthem from the heart. A very special moment indeed.
Jeremy Robin Lyons was the event’s music director, with direction by Peter James Cook and choreography by Jason Wise. Kudos to producers Dan Fortune and Adam J. Rosen for putting together such a wonderful event and for honoring such an incredible organization.
Please support the Ali Forney Center; you can donate here.
Photos by Conor Weiss
