Today is the big day, Night of a Thousand Genders fund raising gala is taking place this eve and I need to make sure that I look the part. A smile can go a long way and the lovely Mexican lady in the corner laundrette makes an exception and the shirt would be ironed by this afternoon rather than in two days time. Phew. Now breakfast!

A lovely couple in the street recommends a local cafe by the name of Roots. Sounds a bit too alternative, but there don't seem to be many options in the area so I go. It turns out to be lovely cosy and yummy, and the two baristas are warm and welcoming, just perfect. I have the breakfast burrito 'all three' and a cappuccino.

Despite of the forecast it's a nice sunny day. I start the day's route at Bryant Park, follow to the library building, Grand Central station, the Rockefeller Centre ($30 to go up to the viewing platform. I don't think so.), there's Trump Tower, drop in to the Apple Store, a little coffee break at the tiny but charming Fika cafe, and just about manage to get a glimpse of Central Park. Time to go back home get ready for the gala, Alan specifically asked us to be on time.

I trim my stubble and dress with my best garments. Naturally I just miss a train, and the two I take are painfully slow. But I manage make it on time. Pretty much. The man behind me in the queue reckons 'it's best to be either early or late, never on time' as we wait patiently in the queue at the elegant City Winery. I'm welcomed by Alan's smiling face as I go in. 

The event is thoroughly entertaining and educational. Alan Cummings sent his apologies on a video as he's busy filming, but we have a fantastic line up of performers and it's moving and inspirational. The TV host of US Antiques Roadshow conducts an 'asktion' whereby unlike an auction he simply asks for money. He's very entertaining and effective as you'd expect from a professional auctioneer. He starts at $100,000 (just in case), going down to $10,000 ('for those who want to show off their wealth' of which there are a few), all the way down to $100, where I join in. It's a very modest contribution to a very important cause. I'm shocked to learn that the suicide rate of cross gender people is 40%. This project is doing an extraordinary work providing education and support in schools and to families. I'm very proud of Alan who not only donated a few thousand dollars, but was a driving force in making this event their largest and most successful to date. The after party ensues and I dance a bit, surrounded by beautiful people of all genders, but now it's time to go home, been a long day.