the rally

Judy Gold is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She won two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work as a writer and producer on the Rosie O’Donnell Show. She has also been involved in many projects in various roles, including the television series All American Girl and HBO’s At the Multiplex segments where she asks humorous questions of unexpected moviegoers. Commonly known for her height (6'3", 1.91 m), she first did stand-up on a dare while in college at Rutgers University. She is openly lesbian and is very active in the LGBT and Jewish communities. Her one-woman show 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother is based on a series of interviews with more than 50 Jewish mothers in the U.S. Their stories are interspersed with anecdotes about her own mother and her life as a lesbian mother of two sons.

Bob Smith has the distinction of being the first openly gay comedian to appear on The Tonight Show and have his own HBO Special, The Bob Smith Comedy Half-Hour. He's also appeared on the first national television showcase for gay and lesbian performers, Comedy Central's Out There, for which he was also the head writer. Other TV appearances include Politically Incorrect, Entertainment Tonight and Tom Snyder.

Bob's Lambda Literary Award-winning collection, Openly Bob was published to acclaim in 1997 by Rob Weisbach Books. USA Today said about Openly Bob that, "You'll laugh out loud" while The Lambda Book Review called it: "One of the most rewarding gay books of the year." Bob has also written for Dennis Miller on the MTV Video Awards, and was a writer for Roseanne's variety series, Saturday Night Special.

Samiya Bashir is the author of Where the Apple Falls: Poems, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, editor of Best Black Women's Erotica 2 and co-editor of Role Call: A Generational Anthology of Social & Political Black Literature & Art. Her poetry, stories, articles, essays and editorial work have been featured in numerous publications including: Callaloo, Sinister Wisdom, Vibe, Essence, Other Countries III: Voices Rising, Carry the Word, Bum Rush the Page: A Def Poetry Jam, Poetry For The People: A Revolutionary Blueprint, The San Francisco Bay Guardian, Ms. Magazine, Black Issues Book Review, Curve, Contemporary American Women Poets, and Best Lesbian Erotica. Samiya is a founding organizer and board member of Fire & Ink Writers Festival and Community for LGBT Writers of African Descent and an alumni fellow of Cave Canem: African American Poetry Workshop/Retreat.

The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC) is the longest standing member of Big Apple Performing Arts, having just celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2005. New York City Gay Men’s Chorus now comprises 250 voices, appearing in three subscription concerts each year, moving between Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the other world-class venues of New York City. Affirming their world-class status is a roster of classical and contemporary artists who have graced the stages with the Chorus: Marilyn Horne, Roberta Peters, Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, Barbara Cook, Carol Channing, Jerry Herman, Eartha Kitt, Joel Grey – to name just a few. In addition to the full chorus, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus includes the 24-voice Ambassadors Chorus which serves as a community outreach ensemble.

Corey Andrew is an independent recording artist and political activist that has recently been praised in such publications as Advocate, Next, HX, Gay City News, the Chicago Tribune, and the Boston Globe. As an opponent of the U.S. military's "Don't Ask – Don't Tell" policy, Andrew recently gained national notoriety upon releasing copies of a 3-day e-mail exchange exposing the homophobic and racist rants that a United States military sergeant recruiter released upon him after learning he was gay. Andrew's current dance tracks are remixed by heavy hitters Hex Hector, DJ Exacta, Eddie Thoneick and Jerry Ropero. He looks forward to bringing his high energy musical message of unity to the 2008 HOP Pride rally, expressing, "It's great to be recognized for my efforts in support of gay equality by such a prominent organization as HOP. Its such an honor to perform on that stage!"

State Senator Thomas K. Duane represents New York's 29th State Senatorial District. First elected to the State Senate in 1998, he became the Senate's first openly-gay and first openly HIV-positive member. Prior to his election to the State Senate, Duane served for seven years in the New York City Council. Duane's accomplishments include securing passage of the Hate Crimes Protection Act and the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA). In the latter, transgendered individuals were unfortunately not included explicitly. Senator Duane, however, continues to fight to ban discrimination for all New Yorkers.

Scout Durwood is a journalist, comic, and resident of Brooklyn and is enrolled as a full-time student at the Michael Howard Conservatory for acting. After a brief stint on MTV's A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, she is working the stand-up circuit around the city and workshopping her latest show On My Reel, co-starring Chef Josie Smith-Malave, about the reality TV experience.

Gender Offenders was formed in 2006 by a group of radical, queer artists seeking to break traditional ideas of gender and sexuality as well as address ideological constraints imposed onto individuals by mainstream society, government and religious dogma. Gender Offenders is dedicated to pushing the envelope and advancing live performance by creating politically and socially relevant work. Infusing burlesque, music, mixed-media and traditional theatrical conventions, “GO” desires to create visually stimulating works that ask questions and provide new ideas for all types of audiences.

Gilbert Baker is the one who designed the most visible symbol of gay pride, the rainbow flag. He created it in 1978 in San Francisco and it is currently recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers. No pride parade would be complete without the inclusion of a giant rainbow flag or 'Pride Flag' - usually being carried by hundreds of proud GLBT folk.

Julie Goldman co-stars on “The Big Gay Sketch Show” on LOGO where she is an ensemble member of the first ever gay sketch comedy show. Julie also appears on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham. Performing with “The Jap Show,” Julie performs in comedy clubs around NYC and festivals, cruises, and around the country. This past year, Julie co-starred in Big Dreams in Little Hope, currently being offered at Wolfe Video. She also has a role in Out at the Wedding, which is currently playing at film festivals around the country. Check out her new music video “Commitment Ceremony”.

Mélange Lavonne is an outspoken, openly lesbian hip-hop artist who has been performing to audiences across the nation. Her passionate lyrics and intense performances have stirred many across the world. Lavonne displays honesty and conviction in her material, rapping about who she is and the blatant discrimination many have been faced with based on their sexual orientation. She performed on the Main Stage of the 2007 Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration and recorded the intense song “Gay Bash” which delved into the death of her fictional best friend Kevin at the hands of gay bashers. A compelling music video of the song was made which made it onto LOGO, where it received frequent rotation, making it a staple on their Top Ten “Click List” throughout last summer.

Terrance Dean has worked in the entertainment industry for over 10 years with heavy hitters such as Spike Lee, Rob Reiner, Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Anjelica Houston. He has worked with television and film production companies; MTV Networks, and B.E.T. He founded/created Men’s Empowerment Inc., a non-profit New York-based organization dedicated to the transformation of men of color in their communities for their own self-empowerment. Dean has authored the forthcoming explosive and provocative memoir, “Hiding In Hip Hop…On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood” (Simon & Schuster/Atria Books June 2008). The riveting memoir uncovers a hidden and well-known unspoken secret. Deep within its confines is a prominent gay sub-culture. A world that industry insiders are keenly aware of, but choose to ignore. From the testosterone of men striving to be on top and in control, to the “by any means necessary” bravado in the industry, homosexuality is at every level of Hip Hop.

Born in Poughkeepsie to parents of Jamaican descent, Michael Ashanti has been performing since he was 5 years old. His father’s military service meant that the family was always moving on -- but performing was a constant, with Michael’s skills finding expression in church, school bands, and university choirs, then talent shows and Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater, and later as a background vocalist for major and independent artists -- and as a Hearts & Voices performer! Now, Michael is ready to take on the world with his debut album, “All Of Me.”

Catherine Marino-Thomas is the Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York. The group is an all-inclusive organization whose mission is to educate the public by raising awareness of the important right of all persons to enter into legally recognized gender neutral civil marriage with all the benefits and responsibilities that entails.

Ken Wong is the director of the NYC-based FACE-TO-FACE AIDS PROJECT, a nonprofit organization that uses photographs, videos, and interviews to document the AIDS pandemic in Africa and Asia. His photographic installations, the AIDS PhotoMosaics, have been exhibited at the United Nation headquarters, the Boston Museum of Science, and numerous universities such as Harvard, Yale, NYU School of Medicine, and Princeton. The Face-to-Face AIDS Project also supports child-focused, educational, and income-generating funding projects in Malawi and Cambodia, and its achievements include the creation and operations of schools for orphans, scholarships, and income-generating maize mill and community gardens.

At a stature of just over five-feet, this charismatic artist/lyricist bred out of Queens, New York really packs a paralyzing punch. KO, which is her official last name, also stands for Knock Out. And what a K.O. she is. Born of mainly Taiwanese decent, this exotic wordsmith has rhymed since the days of Slick Rick and Rakim. She considers herself a true hip-hop head, who aside from emceeing, also break dances and DJs. "I truly love music. When I turn it on, I feel invincible, like I can do anything, and so the reason why I write songs is so people can feel what I feel when I listen to music."

Michael Adams is the Executive Director of SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders). Located in New York City, SAGE is the oldest and largest organization in the country providing services and advocacy for LGBT seniors. SAGE’s programs directly serve thousands of LGBT older people in New York City each month. In addition, SAGE provides technical assistance and training, and engages in advocacy around LGBT aging issues, in New York City and across the country. In 2005, SAGE became the first official LGBT delegate to the diennial White House Conference on Aging. In 2008, SAGE will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary and will present its Fourth National Conference on LGBT Aging.

Celebrating its 22nd year, the Imperial Court of New York proudly presents His Most Imperial and Sovereign Majesty, Emperor XVII Rob Hunter de Woofs, The Atlantic Shore Tattoo Titan Emperor of Diplomacy, Generosity and Testosterone. Rob is very proud to represent ICNY, one of the premier jewels in the crown of the International Court System. He looks forward to continuing the traditions and dedication of previous monarchs to this fine organization. Her Most Imperial & Soverign Majesty, Empress XXII Charlene Chivoe learned long ago that if you ask you can receive and Charlene is not afraid to ask. As Empress, Charlene will represent ICNY with the grace, style and professionalism that she has observed for the past fifteen years as a member and she knows that she has some big shoes to fill and fill them she will. Empress Charlene will be known as The Dixie Darlin' Empress of Democracy, Dreams and Disco.

Born of humble beginnings, Madame® encountered puppeteer Wayland Flowers on a bus ride in New York in the mid-sixties. Immediately smitten with Madame’s beauty and bawdy sense of humor, Flowers recognized her untapped talent and presented the idea of the two of them working together as a comedy team. She accepted the challenge on the condition that she got all the laughs and first choice on gowns. Flowers since has passed away and a devastated Madame® has been in a self imposed exile for the past several years. “I stayed in my box for what seemed like an eternity to my many fans, only coming out for the occasional dry martini and foot massage …well a girl can’t allow herself go to pot!” Madame® is back now and better than ever, ready to face the glare of the spotlight again. Madame met her new handler Joe Kovacs at a puppet studio on the west side of New York.

Sandra Valls is a brash, high energy, latina, lesbian comic and then some. She sure packs a punch with her frank, in-your-face comedy performing all over the country in comedy clubs including The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, The Improv and yes, even at London's Comedy Camp. She also hosted the 2007 GLAAD Media Her television credits include The Latin Divas of Comedy (Showtime). Outlaugh Festival, One Night Stand Up (LOGO), Comic's Unleashed with Byron Allen (ABC), Habla !(HBO), First Amendment Comedy (Starz), ComicView (BET), Que Locos (Galavision), Loco Comedy Jam (Mun2), Latino Laugh Festival, Funny is Funny, Inside Joke (SITV).

"Electro-purple-fluoro-plastic-sulky-acid-housey-soul-clashy-disco-sequin-pop" is how Paris-to-Harlem transplant Naommon aptly describes his debut album "Allnighter," twelve tracks of glittering, gritty and grounded electro-soul. A child of the Eighties, teen of the Nineties, clubber of the 2000s, Naommon embodies—both musically and physically—a myriad of continually morphing influences from the spaceglam of Bowie, androgyny of Prince and acidfunk of Deee-Lite, to London's creative NagNagNag parties and New York's popping Downtown scene..