Editor’s note, 9/20/11: This fundraiser was organized by Andrew Caleb Pritt (aka A. Caleb Pritt, Andrew Pritt, Caleb Pritt, Drew Pritt, Diedra, Diedra Windsor Walker, Diedra Richards, Diedra Richards Ho Jenkins), a former contributor to Bent Alaska, who is also author of this press release. Neither Homes for Our Troops nor the Latseen Benson family received the monies raised at this fundraiser. For further info, see the story Homes for Our Troops: “Money from the fundraiser was lost” (Caleb Pritt) by Mel Green (Bent Alaska, 9/19/11).

A fundraiser comprising drag queens and LGBT youth at Mad Myrna’s in Anchorage on Saturday night netted over $3K+ for a severely wounded Alaska veteran to help build him a handi-capable/handi-accessible home.

Event organizer Caleb Pritt was pleased with the result.

“I am simply overwhelmed with the generosity and compassion so many showed last night,” said Pritt. “Too often, in society we see the military and veterans on one side of the political spectrum while on the other you have female impersonators and LGBT youth and activists. This is encouraging to me to see these two communities come together and raise money for a worthy cause.”

Pritt, who is also one of the performers and is known on stage as Diedra Windsor Walker, singlehandedly collected, over $2.5K in auction items from Alaska businesses. However, one of the biggest money making events of the evening is when local Alaska radio/television personality and professional auctioneer Cary Carrigan was auctioned off to be dressed in drag and perform a number. Pritt estimates Carrigan’s performance raised a sizeable amount of the money raised. Watch the YouTube video of Carrigan’s peformance.

Other performers included female impersonators Mariquita, MeMe, Rosey Rotten, Alexis Kellie, Jovy, Tiare’, and D’Licious and other local entertainers including Baina Kandi and opera singer Lisa Willis.

The benefit was held on behalf of Chugiak native Sgt. Latseen Benson. More about the fundraising effort for Benson can be found Homes for Our Troops: Latseen Benson. (Donations towards Benson’s home can also be make there.) Benson is the son of 2006 Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress and 2010 Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, Diane Benson.

“I am so thankful to Jeff Wood and the entire staff of Mad Myrna’s, the members of the Imperial Court of All Alaska who assisted in this effort, Grant Aviation, Village Inn, and so many more businesses and individuals who gave of their time, their talents, their auction items and raised money for a great cause,” said Pritt. “A group of drag queens and LGBT Youth raising money for a severely wounded veteran is something even Hollywood wouldn’t think up, but it shows how united Alaskans can be in a good cause. I hope our example spreads across this country and is a way to unite, rather than divide communities.”

Pritt said he hopes to make this an annual event.