It Takes A Village

Ralph Rucci is lending his design talents to create original pieces for a spring benefit for the LGBTQ communities.

The designer is creating gowns for legends of the ballroom community and fashion runways who will join in a show for “L’Hommage…A Night of Celebration, Unity and Love” on May 11 at Judson Memorial Church in New York.

The cocktail party will benefit FIERCE, which stands for Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment, a New Yorkbased organization that mentors LGBTQ individuals. With members in the 10- to 21-yearold age range, the group helps them line up internships and take part in leadership development programs. In New York City, the group organizes grassroots campaigns to combat police harassment and violence and increased access to safe public space for LGBTQ youth.

Aware of the interest in the Eighties-inspired FX show “Pose,”