Lea DeLaria Puts 'Spotlight on Diversity' in LGBT Media Panel

Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 2 MIN.

Lea DeLaria will join other LGBT actors and creators on August 17 in Los Angeles when The Box Scene Project and BAYCAT hold their "Spotlight on Diversity: A Conversation & Celebration of LGBT Media Representation." The benefit commemorates BAYCAT's 10 Years Bold Anniversary and launches The Box Scene Project's Mirror Scholarship and Fellowship program.

Panelists include DeLaria of "Orange is the New Black," Sean Maher of "Arrow" and "Firefly," Dylan Marron and Jasika Nicole of "Welcome to Night Vale," Crissle West of "The Read," and Amy Fox and Julie Vu, writer and actors in the groundbreaking transgender sitcom, "The Switch". The benefit's Spotlight Award Honoree and keynote speaker is viral Huffington Post contributor, Amelia. Musical guests include singer/songwriter Kim Tillman, Luke Edgemon and Dominic Barnes of "Glee," and the LA Gay Freedom Band.

BAYCAT educates, empowers and employs underserved youth and young adults to produce digital media that tells their unique stories and engages them to positively transform themselves and their communities. The Box Scene Project works to reach equal media representation for the LGBT community, women, people of color, people with disabilities and those that live at the intersection of those identities.

Since its formation, The Box Scene Project has raised over $130,000 for charity and is excited about its scholarship and fellowship awards. The Mirror Scholarship is an award of up to $10,000 for diverse and underrepresented students pursuing higher education in media and the performing arts. The Mirror Fellowship is an award of up to $5,000 for diverse and underrepresented independent content creators producing media that contributes to positive representation.

Together, The Box Scene Project and BAYCAT continue to encourage diversity in the media arts and its further reflection of all members of society.

Tickets are available from now until August 16. A General Admission ticket ($30) allows entry to the Spotlight on Diversity benefit, while Premium tickets ($75) will also allow participants access to the pre-show reception with complimentary appetizers and beverages, priority seating, and a commemorative video of the event. VIP tickets ($150) include the pre-show reception, priority seating, commemorative video, and invitation to the post-show reception where guests can enjoy dessert and celebrate with the celebrity panelists and guests.

The Box Scene Project's Spotlight on Diversity: A Conversation & Celebration of LGBT Media Representation taking place at 5 p.m. on August 17 at the Robert Frost Memorial Auditorium at the Culver City Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.


by Winnie McCroy , EDGE Editor

Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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