GMHC To Honor Actor and Activist Kathy Najimy

On Monday, September 18, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) will honor multitalented performer Kathy Najimy with the 2017 Howard Ashman Award for her contributions to the LGBT community and the fight against HIV/AIDS. Najimy has been an outspoken advocate for more than three decades and has promoted social justice throughout her career, which includes the films "Sister Act" and "Hocus Pocus" and Off-Broadway acts including Kathy & Mo.

Proceeds from the cabaret will directly support GMHC's programs and services, which benefit more than 12,000 clients living with or affected by HIV/AIDS every year.

The evening will also feature performances by Tony Award winners Kristin Chenoweth ("Wicked," "Glee!"), Lena Hall ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch," "Kinky Boots"), and Lillias White ("The Life," "Fela!"), David Burtka ("Gypsy," "It Shoulda Been You"), Dan Finnerty ("Rock of Ages," "The Hangover"), and Martha Plimpton ("A Delicate Balance," "Raising Hope").

The Howard Ashman Award is named for the Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy award- winning lyricist of "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," and "Little Shop of Horrors" who died of AIDS-related complications in 1991.

"Kathy Najimy is a true force of nature as a performer, and she has been an indispensable ally to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities for decades," said GMHC CEO Kelsey Louie. "We're thrilled to honor her dedication with the Howard Ashman Award and a series of performances by many of Broadway's brightest talents. For 35 years, members of the Broadway community have been some of our most devoted allies, advocates, and fundraisers. And during those 35 years, GMHC has helped tens of thousands of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, just as we continue to do today through testing, prevention, nutrition, legal, supportive housing, mental health, and substance use services."

GMHC created the Howard Ashman Award in conjunction with the Ashman family. The award honors a member of the Broadway community whose art and activism have made a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Cabaret features Broadway stars and celebrities performing Broadway classics and musical selections including songs penned by Howard Ashman himself.

Howard Ashman was an American playwright and lyricist. He collaborated with Alan Menken on numerous works and is most widely known for several Disney animated feature films, for which Ashman wrote the lyrics and Menken composed the music. Ashman's numerous awards include two Oscars, two Golden Globes, four Grammys, a Drama Desk, and a London Evening Standard. He died in 1991 at age 40 from AIDS-related complications

The 2017 GMHC Cabaret & Howard Ashman Award, benefiting GMHC will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, September 18 at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003.

Tickets start at $135. To purchase tickets, program ads, and sponsorship opportunities, or to make a donation on behalf of Kathy Najimy, visit https://2017gmhccabaret.splashthat.com/