Jane Lynch Hosts Astraea Lesbian Foundation Benefit Concert

On Monday, September 15, actor Jane Lynch will host Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice which proudly announces Uprising of Love: A Benefit Concert for Global Equality at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre. The inspiring concert will weave together stories and performances by activists and artists from around the world including the stories of resilience and resistance from several international Astraea grantee partners.

"This star-studded concert is unlike anything we've ever been involved in before," said J. Bob Alotta, Executive Director, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. "Astraea is thrilled to be a part of a brilliant evening of stories, performance, activism and art. We know this concert will go a long way to support the global movement for LGBTQI rights, freedom from violence, equal access to much needed services and lives lived with freedom and dignity."

Uprising of Love: A Benefit Concert for Global Equality will feature performances by 16-time Grammy Award-winner Sting and two-time Tony and Grammy Award-winner Patti LuPone, country-music star Chely Wright, Tony and Grammy Award-winner Billy Porter, the casts of hit Broadway shows, a Grammy Award winning surprise musical guest and more. Hosted by Jane Lynch and written by Academy Award-winning Dustin Lance Black, executive producers Stephen Schwartz and Bruce Cohen have brought together this all-star cast for a one-night-only show.

The net proceeds of this event will go directly to Fueling the Frontlines, a three-year, $20-million campaign for global LGBTQI rights led by the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. Astraea is the only philanthropic organization in the United States solely dedicated to advancing LGBTQI rights globally. Fueling the Frontlines addresses a growing epidemic of LGBTQI human rights violations by propelling the work and priorities of LGBTQI organizations and forging coalitions across issues and borders to end the marginalization and persecution faced by LGBTQI people.

Astraea will highlight its cutting-edge approach to LGBTQI rights around the world, including its long-standing commitment to innovative grassroots LGBTQI human rights leaders and its participation in the groundbreaking $16 million LGBT Global Development Partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development and influential LGBT organizations from across sectors. The Partnership represents the largest singular investment by the U.S. government to increase human rights, accountability, and protections to LGBTI individuals worldwide.

There will be appearances and performances by Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis; Bollywood star and UN Equality Champion Celina Jaitly; Matt Gould, Griffin Matthews, and the cast of "Witness Uganda," the cast of "I Am Harvey Milk" the cast of Broadway's "Wicked," and the cast of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical "Once." The concert will be directed by Schele Williams and produced by Jayson Raitt, with musical direction by Alex Lacamoire.

In strategic partnership with the United Nations Foundation, Uprising of Love: A Benefit Concert for Global Equality strives to support the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN's Free & Equal campaign in calling for equal rights globally for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals, and to raise significant funding for grassroots organizations and activists working toward that goal around the world.

Uprising of Love is a global movement to support the safety and dignity of LGBTI people around the world. Co-founded by Melissa Etheridge, Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen, and dozens of prominent individuals in entertainment, sports, business, and politics, the campaign was initially launched leading up to the Sochi Winter Olympics to shine a light on Russia's anti-gay laws. Uprising of Love is now focused on raising awareness and funds for activists making a difference on the ground in every part of the globe where LGBTI safety and dignity is compromised.

Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights around the globe. We support brilliant and brave grantee partners in the U.S. and internationally who challenge oppression and seed social change. We work for racial, economic, social, and gender justice, because we all deserve to live our lives freely, without fear, and with dignity.

Uprising of Love: A Benefit Concert for Global Equality will be held at 8 p.m. on Monday, September 15 at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street. Tickets $50-250. For information or tickets, visit atwww.uprisingoflove.org/benefitconcert