(Washington, March 6, 1995) --- What do Greg Louganis, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, Aaron Spelling, and Edward Albee have in common? All five have contributed items to be auctioned during a benefit for the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) on Monday, March 27, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight at Club Zei (1415 Zei Alley, N.W., near 14th and Eye Streets) in downtown Washington, D.C.
The gala event, sponsored by Gays and Lesbians for Individual Liberty (GLIL) will feature the live broadcast of the 67th annual Academy Awards¨ from Hollywood and musical and dramatic performances by D.C.-area youth from SMYAL. According to event coordinator Gene A. Cisewski (sha SEV ski), "Olympic diver Greg Louganis has donated a personally autographed Speedo¨ swimsuit, Carol Burnett has contributed a print portraying her as the character 'Eunice,' Mary Tyler Moore has provided an autographed script from the classic episode called 'Chuckles Bites the Dust,' producer Aaron Spelling has sent a photo of the cast of Melrose Place autographed by each cast member, and playwright Edward Albee has given us an autographed copy of his most recent play. These items and more will be available to those in attendance through a silent auction."
GLIL is hosting the Academy Awards¨ Celebration for Youth to benefit the D.C.-based Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League. Host Committee Chair Odell Huff explained that "each year more than 700 young people from Northern Virginia, Washington, and Washington's Maryland suburbs take part in SMYAL's activities. Most of them attend SMYAL's support groups or drop-in programs, and many others call the SMYAL Helpline, which often serves as their first or only point of contact when they are questioning or exploring issues related to their sexuality."
SMYAL, he said, "supports D.C.-area youth by providing free services in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment." Added GLIL President David Morris: "Gays and Lesbians for Individual Liberty is a non-partisan organization that embraces individual freedom while recognizing the importance of individual responsibility. We believe SMYAL offers essential services that are best provided by independent, private sector institutions, and that is why we will forward 100 percent of the proceeds from our Oscar night celebration directly to SMYAL."
Tha Academy Awards¨ Celebration for Youth will occupy all three floors of Club Zei, with television monitors throughout the club presenting the Oscar telecast, emceed by David Letterman. During commercial breaks, SMYAL members will demonstrate their own performing talents in musical and dramatic numbers. Refreshments will be provided by Club Zei and other local restaurants and caterers. The program will be hosted by local cable TV celebrities Michelle Michaels and Sue Carrington.
Tickets for the Academy Awards¨ Celebration for Youth are available for $25 (giving access to the main floor) and $100 (access to a private third-level party with special refreshments and champagne to toast the Best Picture of the Year). Tickets may be purchased at Lambda Rising Books (1625 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.) and Lammas Bookstore (1426 - 21st Street, N.W.). For more information, call Gene Cisewski at 202-483-4051.
Gays and Lesbians for Individual Liberty was founded in February 1991 to advance the ideas of economic and personal freedom and individual responsibility. It has members across the United States and in several foreign countries. For more information, visit http://www.glil.org or telephone 202-903-5555.
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