LGBTQ Pioneer Edie Windsor To Help Celebrate 25 Years Of The Iconic Hamptons Tea Dance

The Hamptons Tea Dance is celebrating its 25th year of supporting New York’s LGBTQ communities on Saturday, July 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. The iconic summer event hosted at the beautiful grounds of Nova’s Ark Project in Water Mill will once again feature the entertaining DJ Lady Bunny who will be sure to keep everyone dancing all evening, as well as a lounge area sponsored by The Mine, and a family friendly kids activity area. Marriage pioneer Edie Windsor will serve as Honorary Chair of the benefit for Callen-Lorde, The Center, and SAGE.

“I couldn’t stop smiling when I was asked to serve as the Honorary Chair of the Hamptons Tea Dance this year,” said Edie Windsor, lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor, the landmark legal victory that paved the way for marriage equality in the United States. “We are celebrating 25 years of our community coming together at the Tea Dance to enjoy each other and support our movement for equality and justice.”

Additionally, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will offer up delicious cocktails and a DIY rainbow garnish bar.

“Tito’s is thrilled to be a part of the Hamptons Tea Dance,” shared Amy Lukken, Joyologist, Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “Our goal is to highlight, educate and encourage fans to spread love within their communities and the organizations involved with the event are at the forefront of inclusivity.”

The always entertaining DJ Lady Bunny will keep guests dancing all evening. (Photo: Sydney Braat)

Like previous years, the field will be decorated with a picturesque 50-foot segment of the mile-long rainbow flag created by the late Gilbert Baker for Stonewall 25 in New York to mark the 25th anniversary of the gay civil rights movement. To mark this important Tea Dance milestone, artist Kenny Scharf was enlisted to create the invitation. He also created a limited edition print produced by Lococo Fine Art. Commemorative prints will be available to event sponsors with a limited number available for purchase.

In 2014 the three LGBTQ service organizations formed a joint partnership called The Collaborative, which has a singular goal of improving health and quality for LGBTQ people across the world. Proceeds from the event will benefit the work of The Collaborative, which includes the development and implementation of a universal intake form across agencies that will result in a body of data about the service needs of the communities they serve.

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, regardless of their financial situation. Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness to all members and advocates for LGBT health issues. To learn more about Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, visit callen-lorde.org.

The Center was established in 1983 in New York City to empower the LGBTQ community to lead healthy, successful lives. The organization celebrates diversity and advocates for justice and opportunity. More than 300,000 people are welcomed into The Center’s building in the West Village neighborhood of Manhattan yearly. To learn more about The Center’s work, visit gaycenter.org.

Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults. It was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in New York City. SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older adults and their caregivers. It also provides training for aging providers and LGBT organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. SAGE has offices in New York City, Washington, DC, and Chicago. SAGE has coordinated a growing network of 28 local SAGE affiliates in 20 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more about SAGE, visit sageusa.org.

Tickets to the Hamptons Tea Dance start at $150 and sponsorships start at $300.

Nova’s Ark Project is located at 30 Millstone Road in Water Mill. For more information, or tickets, visit hamptonsteadance.org.