The Manhattan Association of Cabarets has made a donation to the ACLU Drag Defense Fund. 

The $500 donation, announced at the annual MAC Awards held in Manhattan earlier this week, was made in support of the ACLU's efforts to defend the rights of drag performers across the country.

"We are thrilled to support the important work of the ACLU Drag Defense Fund," said MAC President Amy Wolk. "Drag performers have been a vital part of the cabaret community for decades, and we believe it is crucial to stand with them and fight for their rights." 

READ: Actors' Equity Condemns Political Attacks Against Drag and Trans Performers

“We have the First Amendment in this country, which gives us the freedom to express ourselves and our gender identity through the art of cabaret and other creative outlets,” added three-time MAC winner Ray DeForest (a.k.a. Doris Dear) during his speech at the awards ceremony.

Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU who accepted the award on behalf of the ACLU Drag Defense Fund, said, “We are thrilled to stand with MAC, the cabaret community and all artists. And we will use this fabulous award to fight back against the hate, to fight back against violence—and to stand up for freedom, equality, and the right of every person to be whoever they are—and to present drag shows and give whatever story hour kids want to hear!“

Following Lieberman's speech, Carolyn Montgomery and Frank Dain of the American Songbook Association offered a matching donation of $500.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the art of cabaret and supporting the individuals who create it. The MAC Awards honor excellence in the New York City cabaret community.

Visit MacNYC.com.