Executive Producer of iRIS Group Productions (iRIS), Jay Myers today announced that it had donated $192,688 to gay and lesbian charities and community organisations over the last 3 years.

"We are delighted to deliver one of the best good news stories that the gay and lesbian community has heard in years” said Myers. Two hundred grand goes a long way in a community as resourceful as ours. “It is a pleasure to add real financial value on this scale.” Myers said.

The top five iRIS Grant recipients are:

• The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby - $95,000
• AIDS Trust of Australia - $28,845
• Queerscreen - $30,100
• Gay and Lesbian Counseling Service - $10,000
• Twenty 10 - $10,000

The balance of the iRIS Grants were provided to a half dozen other important beneficiaries of iRIS.

Myers said that, “The production and artistic teams have worked extremely hard to raise the money to deliver these grants. All of the teams are extremely proud of what they have achieved.”.

The iRIS grants come primarily from Azure, produced by iRIS each year at the Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries’ Point, next to the Royal Botanic Gardens. The crowd is super hot, the entertainment outrageous and the view magnificent! Azure is recognized as the high water mark in dance parties the world over. “Yup… it’s a f@*# off party!!” smiled, Baden, an Azure regular and community icon (well - he kinda vaguely looks like the Azure poster boy).

The iRIS grants program is extremely important to the gay and lesbian community. "After three years, it is time for the Stakeholder Board to completely review our grants program and the manner in which grants are delivered.” said Iris Ritt, chair of the iRIS Stakeholder Board.

The Company has a reputation for closely monitoring how its grants are spent and investing significant resources to ensure that they best reflect the needs of the gay and lesbian community. “We will shortly be calling for applications for future iRIS Grants.” said Ritt.

Miccal Cummins, iRIS Stakeholder Board member said that, “As always, we must thank the Botanic Gardens Trust – Sydney and its event and marketing teams for providing the venue and the loyal 5,000 Azure party goers who, each year, make Azure and the iRIS Grants possible”.