League of Humane Voters of New York City

The Reception

The Johnson doors opened at around 7:30 and the huge crowd entered the famed Johnson Theater at TNC. The program began with a powerful musical performance by Veggie Voices, featuring LOHV-NYC board member Carol Moon, Elizabeth Thorne, Nicholas Tamagna and Victor Chapman. Audience members, including Caryn Hartglass, Executive Director of EarthSave International, Jazz Singer and Moni Woweries also joined in.

Next up, LOHV-NYC’s Maryanne Byington took the stage to welcome everyone and teach people the secret animal advocate handshake created by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. We’d tell you more about it, but, you know, it’s a secret. She then introduced John Phillips, LOHV-NYC’s Executive Director.

Maryanne Byington shows people the secret animal activist handshake

John and Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actor Grant Aleksander presented the first Humane Legislator Award of the evening to City Council Member Rosie Mendez. Rosie spoke about how, to her, the fight for animal rights is a civil rights issue and also about how she’s committed to passing Intro 389, the bill to ban the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses.

City Council Member Rosie Mendez accepts our humane legislator award

Next up, Mary and Peter Max joined John to present an award to State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal. Mary, who serves on the LOHV-NYC board of advisors, spoke about how Linda had already asked her, a constituent, about what she can do for animals next year. John expressed his amazement at her having passed her bill to include companion animals under court orders of protection so quickly. Linda spoke about the connection between animal abuse and domestic abuse and accepted our Humane Legislator Award – the first of her career as an elected official.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, Mary and Peter Max

John Phillips, Mary and Peter Max

John then presented the final award to State Senator Frank Padavan, the Vice President of the New York State Senate. John spoke at length about Frank’s long history of support for animal rights issues as the sponsor of nearly every animal rights bill. Frank took the stage and received the only standing ovation of the night. He spoke eloquently about how he had been an animal person since he was a child and how he looked forward to new laws to protect animals. He said the League was lucky to have John as its director, not only because he’s effective, but because he’s also a nice guy! Frank also spoke of the effectiveness and importance of the League.

John Phillips and Senate V.P. Frank Padavan

City Council Member Alan J. Gerson had planned to attend but could not. Peter Pastor, his legislative director, came instead to make a very big announcement. Earlier this year, we met with Alan to discuss our legislative priorities, one of which is a ban on foie gras in New York City. Peter came to announce that, subsequent to our meeting, Alan has decided to introduce a bill later this month. With Alan’s help, we hope to follow Chicago’s lead.

We also heard from several of our endorsees this year. State Senator Marty Connor, the former minority leader of the senate, spoke about the League’s important role in his recent primary victory and thanked the League for all of its support. Assemblyman-Elect Brian Kavanagh spoke about our incredibly important role in his election. Brian won by 374 votes in the September primary. Brian spoke about how we were his first endorsement and also about how he had watched the League grow since he was Chief of Staff for Council Member Gale Brewer.

State Senator Martin Connor

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, Assemblyman-Elect Brian Kavanagh and John Phillips

Comedienne Marisa Miller of “The Brothel” began the comedy portion of the evening. She joked about how she had lied to voters about candidates, telling them whatever she could to get their support. She'd tell dog-walkers that our candidates had dogs and people with tattoos that our candidates had tattoos. She said she told trans folks that Brian Kavanagh was a transvestite! (Note: we don’t suggest doing this.)

“Great American White Teeth” star and comedienne star Fiona Walsh said she could have done without the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act because she’s an Irish animal rights activist and her husband is Muslim.

“Bizarro” cartoonist Dan Piraro took aim at our Executive Director and joked that John would often show up at his door with live chickens needing homes.

Following a short ten-minute intermission, LOHV-NYC’s Board President, Lisa Virgona, and Board Treasurer, Maryanne Byington, gave away some great prizes to audience members. Prizes included a Lantern Books book collection; ballet dance lessons at the Cynthia King Dance Studio in Brooklyn; ballroom dance lessons at the Dance Times Square studio in Manhattan; boxing classes at the Church Street Gym (another way to deal with animal abusers…); styling/makeover at eNe Salon; signed copies of Matt Katz’s CD, all of a sudden, the wireless; a print of a beautiful free-living horse in Vieques, Puerto Rico from famed photographer Dave Krueger; and, of course, signed copies of Nellie McKay’s new CD, Pretty Little Head!

Lisa Virgona, Maryanne Byington and Elizabeth Newsom of Gotham City Kitties give away prizes to audience members

After a short intermission, John Phillips, LOHV-NYC’s Executive Director, gave a passionate speech about the history and future of the League. He spoke about our meetings at Valentino’s Deli and how far we’ve come since then. He spoke about organizing the city’s first ever humane lobby day and electing dozens of humane legislators. He ended his speech with a promise: “With your help, we are going to send a message to every elected official in this state – from the Governor to City Council Members and everyone in between: we care about animals and we vote!”

The wonderful Matt Katz, singer/songwriter, took command of the stage’s piano and wowed the audience with his fabulous vocals.

Following Matt’s performance, LOHV-NYC board member Lawrence Carter-Long introduced his long-time friend and newly-famous Broadway star Nellie McKay. Lawrence told the story of how Nellie came to know the League earlier this year. The Village Voice was doing a story on her and she didn’t want to do it unless she could get a plug in for animals. She wanted to know if there were any good groups she should contact. Lawrence then told her about us.

Nellie, who took time out of her busy movie filming schedule to perform at our event, entered wearing a stunning red outfit and began to shouts of “we love you Nellie!” from the audience. The audience just couldn’t get enough of Nellie, who made up a song about the good, bad and downright evil legislators out there, including Council Member Rosie Mendez (good), Speaker Christine Quinn (bad) and George W. Bush (downright evil). Nellie really rocked the night away.

Nellie rocks

Chris Ward, John Phillips and Nellie McKay backstage

John closed the evening with one last thank you to all who attended, performed and spoke.

It was a really wonderful evening. Thanks so much to all of our volunteers and members and for making this evening and this organization a success. Special thanks to Chris, Jazz, Moni, Anne-Marie, Todd, Greg, Andrew, Wendy, Tanya, Louie, Elizabeth, Liza, Marisa, Matt and everyone else who volunteered their time to help organize the event. We really appreciate it.

Here’s to five more years of successes! Thanks for everything!

More pics:

Kathleen Christatos and Jazz Singer

Santos Lopez and Claudia Emerson

John Phillips and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal

Todd Patterson and Anne-Marie Thompson

Ritalynn Forman and Chris Ward