June 12, 2014
New York's Queer Entertainers Host Fundraiser for Kate Bornstein
Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
On Sunday, June 15 at The Cutting Room, New York City's leading queer and indie entertainers will join forces for We Love Kate, a benefit to help raise money for transgender author, artist and activist Kate Bornstein's cancer treatment.
The star-studded lineup includes Tony-nominated cabaret artist Justin Vivian Bond, master storyteller Mike Daisey, powerhouse vocalist Amber Martin, "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Jinkx Monsoon, ventriloquist and comedienne Carla Rhodes, burlesque bombshell Glitta Supernova and the cast of "Gertrude Stein Saints!"
Downtown impresario Mr. Murray Hill will emcee the event, and internationally acclaimed DJ Sveta will spin.
Bornstein is the author of many groundbreaking books including "A Queer and Pleasant Danger," "Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws," "Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us; and My Gender Workbook."
She was recently awarded the Pioneer Award from the Lambda Literary Foundation, and she is recognized all over the world as a leading figure in gender activism and suicide prevention.
Bornstein was diagnosed with cancer in September 2012 and has since been undergoing aggressive treatment. Her friends and family thank you for your love and support.
Her partner Barbara Carrellas wrote in April that Bornstein's cancer had returned in a lymph node behind her collarbone; luckily, it was in a place not previously treated with radiation and chemotherapy, and thus can be treated aggressively. Unfortunately, this also means that the second round of cancer treatment will be much more intense.
Carrellas said that she was deeply grateful to the community for the generous donations of more than $100,000 last year. Although they have a bit of that money left and are stretching it as far as it can go, funds will soon run out for Bornstein's treatment.
"In short, if Kate is going to #StayAlive, she needs the financial support of her community once again," wrote Carrellas. "Kate wants me to be sure to tell you how hard it is to ask for this kind of support. She knows many of you have financial challenges of your own. Please give only if and what you can afford. All of the money raised goes directly towards Kate's treatment."
To donate, visit http://bit.ly/1pkRV4K To share your support with Bornstein, spread the word via #StayAlive, or email her at [email protected]
Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.