It was a sold-out house at The LOFT’s Royal Jubilee on November 6th, as more than eighty LOFT members and friends attended the event. Celebrating The LOFT’s 25th anniversary, the Jubilee was held at Sam’s of Gedney way in White Plains, and all had a wonderful evening.
Upon arrival, attendees were welcomed with hors' dourve and champagne, as they mingled with friends old and new, many wearing crowns and tiaras supplied by The LOFT to keep things royal. In her welcoming remarks, LOFT president Jean Marie Angelo reminded attendees, “that at twenty-five years old, The LOFT is one of the oldest LGBT centers in the country, and we stand on the shoulders of many brave individuals who founded The LOFT.” Westchester County's Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs, Yvette Christofilis, was on hand to read a procamation on behalf of County Executive Andrew J. Spano, declaring it officially "LOFT Day!"
Master of Ceremonies James “D” of Radio Gay Today kept the evening rolling smoothly, and after dinner, attendees were the first public audience to view The LOFT’s new historical documentary, filmed and directed by Katherine Linton, former host of PBS’s LGBT show “In The Life.” The five minute documentary tracks the course of The LOFT’s history, from starting out as a helpline, to the union of a number of organizations that became The LOFT, to its continued work to educate, advocate, and celebrate for and on behalf of the LGBT community.
After the show, awards were given to the founding members of The LOFT, some of whom were present for the event. These brave men and women who started The LOFT 25 years ago are owed a great deal of gratitude by the entire LGBT community of the Lower Hudson Valley, and our admiration for them is immeasurable.
The keynote address was delivered by Alan Van Capelle, executive director of Empire State Pride Agenda. Van Capelle’s speech was adamant, moving, and poignant as he noted Pride Agenda’s many successes leading to the repositioning of New York’s Assembly and Senate, and The LOFT’s involvement with Pride Agenda’s work for strong legislation that is fair, equitable, and inclusive of LGBT New Yorkers.
The rest of the evening was spent dancing and partying in celebration. With DJ John Martin spinning the discs and attendees dancing, mingling and mixing, all made for a wonderfully royal evening.
