Stand! Celebrating Warriors of Faith

Lavender Light — The Black and People of All Colors Lesbian and Gay Gospel Choir premieres its annual Gay Pride concert: Stand! Celebrating Warriors of Faith.

The concert honors five leaders whose personal ministries embody the choir’s commitment to providing a spiritual environment supportive to lesbians and gays. The concert also features choreography by American Ballet Theatre star and Tony Award nominee Robert La Fosse.

The program for the evening features an eclectic roster of traditional spirituals, classic gospel and contemporary favorites including Ashford & Simpson’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” the traditional “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep,” “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” by Charles H. Gabriel and Civilla D. Martin, Dorothy Love Coates’ “Holding On,” “Be Grateful” by Walter Hawkins and the titular “Stand” by Donnie McClurkin.

Honorees for the evening include: Faisal Alam, founder and former director of Al-Fatiha; Reverend Pat Bumgardner, Senior Pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of New York; Elder Reverend Jacquelyn D. Holland, founder of Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church in Newark, New Jersey; Bishop Zachary G. Jones, founder of New York’s Unity Fellowship Church; and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi of New York City’s Congregation Beth Simchat Torah.