The Vernita Gray Council for Philanthropy at Howard Brown Health held a special 76th birthday party in honor of the late lesbian activist. The event, held Dec. 11 at WHIM at Stage 773, featured a birthday cake, a performance of Vernita Gray’s own words by About Face Theatre artist Jyeika Guest and speeches by community advocates. The evening also honored the work of the Vernita Gray Council as well as the Community Advisory Board being renamed the Patient Advisory Board.
Put together by Howard Brown’s Steven Solomon, other speakers included Christopher Marosi, Adria Hunter, Megan Carney, Rob Garofalo, MD, Katie Metos, Terra Campbell and Tracy Baim, co-author of the Vernita Gray biography.
Christopher Merosi at The Vernita Gray Birthday Party . Image by Vern Hester
From left_ Rob Garofalo, Kathy Munzer, and Kim Hunt . Image by Vern Hester
Yreika Guest, left, and friend at The Vernita Gray Birthday Celebration. Image by Vern Hester
Katie Metos at The Vernita Gray Birthday Celebration. Image by Vern Hester
Megan Carney at The Vernita Gray BIrthday Celebration . Image by Vern Hester
Lauren Sullivan (left) and Megan Carney,. Image by Vern Hester
Robert Garofalo speaking at The Vernita Gray Birthday Celebration. Image by Vern Hester
Terra Cambell at The Vernita Gray Birthday Celebration. Image by Vern Hester
Terra Campbell, far right, with friends. Image by Vern Hester
Photos by Vern Hester
