July 12, 2008
In brief: Transgender Emergency Fund puts on a show
Michael Wood READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Created to provide monetary relief to low income transgender people of the central Massachusetts community, the Transgender Emergency Fund (TEF) will be holding its second fundraiser on July 11. The TEF is a relatively new organization created by Jesse Pack, who works for AIDS Project Worcester
The event, titled "Freedom!" will be held at the Blu Ultralounge and Nightclub and will be hosted by Lady Sabrina. The evening will feature performances by local drag queens such as Christina, who is Miss Gay Worcester 2007, Chaz Delrey, Bootz, Younique, Amber Rockwell, Eddie, Cae and numerous others. Along with DJ Patrick Allen, the event will feature a number of musical performers, to be announced the night of the show. There will be a $10 cover charge and donation at the door.
"The first fundraiser we had was in April and it went very, very well. We had an excellent turnout and we raised quite a bit of money," said Pack, who hopes to match the $1,000 that was made in April this Friday night.
The TEF has not yet begun disturbing funds, but it hopes to raise $2,500 so that it can begin giving to those in need by September.
The group's first event turned out almost 100 people, and Pack is hoping this week's event will attract at least that many again.
Performers who take the stage on Friday are donating their time and Blu Ultralounge is donating the space. The event will also feature a raffle, which will be giving away gift certificates for local massage therapist Daryn Bower.
"One thing that's really great about this fund is that so many people in the central Massachusetts community, not even in the transgender community or even in the gay community, but just in the general community... so many people have come to together to help," said Pack.
Michael Wood is a contributor and Editorial Assistant for EDGE Publications.