PHOTO FLASH: Lea Delaria, Lisa Lampanelli, Mike Ruiz at Night of a Thousand Gowns

Mike Ruiz — LGBT advocate, actor, photographer, and Reality TV star — was presented with the Imperial Diamond Award at The Imperial Court of New York’s 26th annual Night of a Thousand Gowns on March 31, 2012 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Also at the event, Emperor XX Vanity Society & Empress XXV Pepperica Swirl crowned Ritz Kraka & Witti Repartee as Emperor XXI and Empress XXVI.

Among the special guests and performers were Broadway veteran Lea DeLaria, comedian Lisa Lampanelli, and the Broadway cast of Chicago the Musical, including star Amra Faye-Wright. Additional guests included radio host Elvis Duran, MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts, figure skater Johnny Weir, Robin Strasser, Alex McCord and Simon van Kampen.

Click here for more information on Night of a Thousand Gowns.