Over 1,400 friends and supporters of the LGBT community joined together at ArtHamptons for the 21st annual Hamptons Tea Dance held by Empire State Pride Agenda at Nova’s Ark in Bridgehampton on Saturday, July 13, 2013. With food, cocktails, and DJ Lady Bunny providing the music, guests danced the night away.
It was an emotional moment for many during the Tea Dance when DOMA plaintiff Edie Windsor honored long time supporter and advocate of the LGBT community, the late M.J. Vineburgh. During the speech Windsor recognized the huge impact M.J. had on the community as well as what an amazing woman that she was. Guests were filled with emotion as they listened with open ears and open hearts.
“We were thrilled to host our 21st annual Hamptons Tea Dance and to be met with such wonderful reception at this particularly momentous time in LGBT history,” said Allison Steinberg, a member of the Pride Agenda. “It was an honor to have DOMA plaintiff Edie Windsor with us and to pay tribute to M.J. Vineburgh, a long-standing supporter of the Tea Dance and of the work the Pride Agenda does in furthering equality and justice for all LGBT New Yorkers”.
While there is no doubt that a lot more work is needed to raise awareness for equality, with events like the Hamptons Tea Dance and the work of organizations like Empire State Pride Agenda, strides are surely being made.
For more information on Empire State Pride Agenda visit www.prideagenda.org.