A little overcast couldn’t keep the stars from coming out to Callen-Lorde’s annual Hamptons Tea Dance this weekend.
As queer luminaries and allies gathered at Water Mill’s Nova’s Ark Project, the New York-based community health center seized the moment to celebrate its mission and raise vital funds for LGBTQ+ healthcare. The benefit dazzled attendees with a disco-ball-lit dance floor and lawn games across a 95-acre sculpture field.
A stunning rainbow back cloth, a 50-foot segment of Gilbert Baker’s mile-long pride flag from the 1994 Stonewall 25 March, graced the lawn. Despite the cloudy weather, the event drew over 700 notable New Yorkers, marking it as one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the Hamptons: Andy Cohen, vintner and entrepreneur Joey Wölffer, Neiman Marcus Senior Editorial Director Bruce Pask, designer Zaldy Goco, and many more attended in support.
The highlight of the evening was actor and director John Cameron Mitchell co-DJing with Amber Martin, an award-winning international performing artist and celebrated DJ who brought her vintage vinyl collection to life. Spinning tunes from Prince to Sade, the duo kept the crowd dancing all night. "As a Callen-Lorde patient, I love my Callen-Lorde family and doctor and will happily support them,” Martin said in a statement.
Guests also enjoyed delectable bites, Tito's spritzes, and Wölffer’s Summer in a Bottle wine. The festivities included lawn games and a reading of Bill Shea's children’s book, A Grandpa Joe Day!. Patrick McGovern, CEO of Callen-Lorde, commended the evening: “I’ll tell you what—this is a crowd that knows how to have a good time. I loved seeing everybody celebrate, and we’re so thankful to everyone who donated, volunteered their time and talents, and showed up to support LGBTQ+ health.”
McGovern had every reason to celebrate: The event raised a remarkable $315,000 for Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, a sum that will go far in supporting its mission to provide sensitive, quality health care and related services to New York’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities—regardless of their ability to pay. Serving 20,000 patients annually, Callen-Lorde is a global leader in queer healthcare, promoting education, wellness, and advocacy.
As the sun set on the evening’s festivities, guests rejoiced in a slow dance before heading off with a copy of CULTURED's Hamptons Edition in hand.
