The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art (LLMA) hosted this year’s Fall Gala with festivities including a curated, experiential dinner in support of queer creativity and thriving LGBTQIA+ lives. For the occasion, the Museum honored artist and musician, ANOHNI; Deputy Director of LGBTQIA+ Affairs for the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul, Chanel Lopez; and multidisciplinary artist Catherine Opie, whose photograph Self-Portrait/Cutting sparked the group show Dreaming of Home currently on view until January 7, 2023. Honorees were presented with a specially commissioned artwork award created by artist Connie Fleming, recognizing LGBTQIA+ visionaries whose lives and legacies open portals to queer creativity, joy, and futurity. As the only dedicated LGBTQIA+ art museum in the world, the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art sits at the forefront of the cultural landscape championing queerness, affirmation, and creativity through the transformative power of art.
Following remarks by Alyssa Nitchun, Executive Director; Michael Manganiello, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees; Raquel Willis and Giselle Byrd, Board Members; and the Queer Visionary Award Honorees, the celebratory evening offered a unique special reading from THE MAGIC BORDER by singer, songwriter, and poet Arlo Parks, followed by a musical performance by composer, writer, and performer H. Sinno.
The Gala was attended by celebrities and tastemakers from the worlds of art, music, design, and fashion. Guests included ANOHNI, Nicholas Balestrieri, Colin Boyle, Sarah Burke, Giselle Byrd, Jezz Chung, Tom Cole, Eliza Douglas, Adrienne During, Diane Felicio, Kaia Ferari-Munoz, Connie Fleming, GIDEØN, Joey Gabriel, Jonathan Gardenhire, Ariel Goldberg, Tamisha A. Guy, Jen Hobbs, Antonio Isuperio, Telly Justice, Kingsley, Ladyfag, Enrique Leon, Charles Leslie, Chanel Lopez, Camille Lindsley, Daniyel Lowden, Jonathan Lyndon-Chase, Chella Man, Michael Manganiello, Kyle Meyer, Slava Mogutin, Carlos Motta, Alyssa Nitchun, K.O. Nnamdie, Nomi, Catherine Opie, Arlo Parks, John Arthur Peetz, Thor Perplies, Gio Black Peter, Kembra Pfahler, Jason Rodriguez, Gemma Rolls-Bentley, Viva Ruiz, Skin, H. Sinno, Luigi Tadini, Nick Vogelson, Cajsa von Zeipel, Ben Whine, Ryan Waddoups, Robbie Welch, Raquel Willis, and Peter Zuspan.
