I had no idea that I'd be rubbing elbows with actors, authors, comedians, fashion

designers, name droppers, politicians, radio personalities, singers, moms and the like. But that's what happened when I attended the fourth annual "Day to Be Gay in the Catskills," a benefit for the Day to be Gay Foundation of Sullivan County. On September 4th, 2004 we all basked in the sun at the Delaware Valley Community Center in Callicoon, New York. With food vendors, a cake and pie walk, a dog of the day contest, an auction and a multitude of vendors selling some wonderful wares--this was one classy event!

     The multitalented Jade Esteban Estrada (actor, singer, choreographer and former lead dancer for Charo) was the host for this event. The man had more costume changes than a drag queen doing a Diana Ross routine! From silver sequins to red leather pants to moon boots and feather boas: those outfits, that swish—I loved it! He announced from the stage, he chatted with the audience, he introduced the main stage entertainers, and he even performed two songs. What can't the man do, except maybe bake a peach pie?

     The next performer was comedian Bob Smith. He has the distinction of having been the first openly gay stand-up comedian to perform on the Tonight Show. He also happens to be originally from Buffalo, NY. He covered topics, from gay pet names to Martha Stewart, from the Boy Scouts to gay and lesbian math word problems, from gay wedding announcements to PFLAG. I loved it when he said to the crowd, "start spreading the rumor...being a right-wing conservative causes homosexuality." That'll piss them off! The crowd really enjoyed him. 

     Peterson Toscano spent 17 years in a campaign to become "straight." Eventually he enrolled in the ex-gay residential program and graduated successfully from the program. In January of 1999 he finally came OUT and fully accepted himself as a gay man. He performed scenes from his one-man show that deal with his experience of surviving the "Homo No Mo Halfway House." I really liked the very creative bit entitled "Gay ABC's." 

     The entertainment lasted six and a half hours. By the end of the day we had been introduced to openly gay New York Senator Thomas K. Duane, author Jonathan Ned Katz, members of the organizing Board, a fashion designer, a little girl named Lexie (who is pretty proud of her two dads), and Sage, the dog of the day. We witnessed a live auction where a signed "Queer As Folk" package, a tour bag with signed CDs from Bette Midler, an autographed CD from kd Lang, books signed by their OUT authors, signed fashion designers' prints and a pair of Bette Midler's shoes earned even more money for this organization. All of the foundation's recipients this year include services for GLBT youth. All I can say is that this was one heck of a bargain for a suggested donation of $10. Kudos to all of the people who made this day so successful.

    

©2004 OutWords Magazine