GMHC Teams With DragOn for Experimental Drag at The Dollhouse

On Saturday, April 26 at the Maritime Hotel in Chelsea, the drag ball DragOn will bring together friends and community for an outrageously fun night of creative costumes and competition, all to benefit Gay Men's Health Crisis.

"We are thrilled DragOn has selected GMHC to be its 2014 beneficiary and are excited about partnering with such a creative and dynamic group," said Janet Weinberg, GMHC's Interim Chief Executive Officer. "HIV/AIDS remains a grave concern and we need to continue to raise awareness in our fight against the epidemic. The event is a fun and unique way to celebrate the community and we are proud to count ourselves among the beneficiaries DragOn supports."

The first DragOn event was launched three years ago, created by friends Tom Smith, Josh Machiz, Victor Rodrigues, Brian Paylago and Matt Tague. The group organized DragOn as a way to combine self-expression with an important global issue. Themes from previous years include Year of the Dragon and The Animal Inside.

DragOn was created in the tradition of the culturally and historically significant New York City drag balls as an opportunity to contribute to organizations that impact the LGBT community. Now an annual fundraising event, DragOn is a vanguard in experimental drag, allowing everyone an opportunity to contribute to meaningful causes while showcasing some of New York's most amazing creative talent in drag and costume.

"The partnership between these two organizations is perfect in that we both leverage creative artistry to engage and inform," said Jason Shaw, a GMHC Board member and co-host of this year's DragOn event. "The Dollhouse event is a unique opportunity to foster future generations of GMHC advocates with the 'Who's Who' of the NYC LGBT and ally community."

Music will be provided by Occupy the Disco. Sponsors include Svedka Imported Vodka and gay.com.

"We are so excited about the upcoming event and the opportunity to work with GMHC," said Tom Smith, DragOn co-founder. "DragOn is all about raising money for worthy causes and GMHC is an ideal partner to show our support in the important fight against HIV/AIDS."

Established in 1982, GMHC is the world's first provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. In addition to the wide array of programs that provide support to thousands of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, GMHC also links people to medical treatment and care, especially those who are newly diagnosed with HIV.

For more information, visit www.dragonnyc.com or www.gmhc.org.