Pride 2020 looks nothing like years past, and yet, the month commemorating the Stonewall Uprising in June 1969 shares some similarities with its origins. Protests across the city and nation, standing up for and demanding equal rights for Black Americans are reminiscent of those 51 years ago in the West Village, led by Black trans folks, drag queens, and queer people of color.
The LGBTQ movement has banded with the Black Lives Matter movement this June, to celebrate LGBTQ Pride, amplify the voices and causes of leaders of color, and continue to push for justice for marginalized groups.
Here we’ve rounded up some events, fundraisers and digital gatherings for LGBTQ folks and allies to participate in this month.
On June 7th, get yourself over to Prospect Heights to pick up a Queer Soup Night special box from Meme’s Diner. The $12 package includes one pint of soup from MeMe’s Diner, a DIY soup pack from queer makers: Food + People, plus a special sweet treat. Donations are also accepted. Then, sign on from home on the evening of June 7th to enjoy soup as a community for a virtual Queer Soup Night.
Back for its second year, this antidote to the (now cancelled due to COVID-19) NYC Pride Parade brings people, not brands, to the streets. 2020’s rendition will take place on Sunday, June 28th, with a to be announced time and location, likely in Manhattan. The march will be focused on elevating and protecting Black Lives and calling for an end to police brutality.
When you think of love in February, you might think Valentines Day, or Galentine’s day or any amount of candy-covered sentiments…but if you are interested in thinking about the true meaning of love – even in the face of impossible odds, check out the brand new production of BENT, coming to Triskelion Arts (106 Calyer St.) in February featuring a Greenpoint-based production team, and LGBTQ+ cast.
BENT is a tragic love story set in Nazi Germany that follows the relationships and persecution of gay men during the Holocaust. The 1979 play, which originally starred Ian McKellen and Richard Gere, grabbed a Tony nod during its original Broadway run, and put playwright Martin Sherman in line for a Pulitzer.
Now, director, producer and Greenpoint resident Emma Coulter is bringing it back to the stage. Coulter and her team, who have staged the show before, know the power of the story they are telling. “…[Bent reminds us that] it’s worth the risk to care, and to love. Even if it means being killed. Because if we don’t do that, there is no point to living,” Coulter says. Producer Kira Geiger promises the show is “surprisingly funny, incredibly sexy, and absolutely heartbreaking…you will leave the theater a changed person.”
The Wythe Hotel(80 Wythe Avenue) will host Permanent Water, a party kicking off World Pride weekend on Thursday June 27 that, produced with TREVORHOUSE, will celebrate Brooklyn’s vibrant LGBTQ community.
This year, a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the charity Immigration Equality, which advocates for and represents LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants seeking safety, fair treatment, and freedom.
The evening will feature cocktails, complemented by thoughtful performances by BMAJR, Magnolia Polaris, Guido, Gallexii, Bri Blvck,Crazyexgalpal, Venïson Man, Precious Okoyomon and a few surprise guests. The event will also have astrology readings.
Complimentary welcome cocktails from Milagro Tequila will be given out from 8–9 PM, so come early and stay late. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here.
Additionally, Wythe Hotel is pleased to announce that artist Jack Early is set to display his latest work, Jacksicles, in the hotel lobby starting June 25 through October in celebration of Pride month.
Shared Living, Better Living @ADO (29 Norman Ave), 6:30pm, FREE, A lively panel discussion about the challenges and opportunities presented by shared living, More Info
♦ Paint Nite @ Sick Willie (174 Meserole Ave), 7pm, $65, Our Social Painting Instructor guides you step-by-step through the featured painting in about two hours. Buy Tix
^ Okoyomon / Hamilton / Hodson @Spoonbill Series (99 Montrose Ave), 7pm, FREE, A reading curated by Coco Fitterman, More info
* TRIVIA NIGHT @ Archestratus (160 Huron St.), 8pm, FREE, Trivia with our news editor! Expect categories to be various, beer innumerable, arancine aplenty, RSVP
THURSDAY 3/29
# Passover Seder Potluck @The Park Church Co-op (129 Russell St), 6pm, FREE, More Info. Blending Herbal Smokes @Catland (987 Flushing Ave), 7pm, $20,In this workshop we will discuss the various herbs which are safe to be burnt and inhaled to manifest our highest intentions, Buy Tix
☺ New Comedy Project With Greenport Harbor Brewing @ The New Work Project (97 North 10th St), 7:30 pm, $10, Comedians you’ve seen on Comedy Central, Conan, MTV & more join us at The New Work Project for a night of comedy and free refreshments provided by Greenport Harbor Brewing, Buy tix
♫ The Rocket Queens (GNR Tribute), Wildstreet, FerreTT @ St. Vitus (1120 Manhattan Avenue), 7:30pm, $8-12, Buy tix
♦ Gentrification Express Screening @Sunview Luncheonette (221 Nassau Ave), 7:30pm, FREE,”Gentrification Express: Breaking Down the BQX” and other short films, More Info
Nackie Karcher and Madeline Jacobs, who are the Owner and Manager of local salon The Karcher (72 Greenpoint Avenue) have been talking about showing their support for women as well as the LGBTQ community for several months. “Since November and the election we’d been thinking about what can we do. We had pre-printed postcards for people to write their representatives sitting up at the desk for a while. We closed the day of the women’s march. And we’ve been thinking about ways we can use the space, for having community engagement. Being a queer-identified person myself… what can we do to make people feel accepted?” Madeline says.
Yesterday, the salon announced via its Instagram account that they would be offering Non-Gendered haircuts, stating, “We now offer a Non-Gendered Cut service option when booking on our website. We recognize that not everyone fits the commonly used gender binary service options and we want to make everyone feel welcome in our salon.” It was no coincidence that earlier in the day, President Trump tweeted, “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.” On its Instagram post, the salon continued, “It’s a small action, but in light of today’s attack, we want to #resist how we can. You are welcome here. #transrightsarehumanrights”.Continue reading →
It’s alarming and disheartening to receive daily emails, tweets and facebook messages from Greenpoint residents who are scared because of the recent violent events that have taken place in the area, including a rape, a missing woman and yesterday’s pistol whipping in broad daylight.
Tomorrow – Tuesday August 13, 2013 at 7pm there will be an Anti-Violence Project Training (AVP) at Greenpoint Reformed Church (136 Milton St) on street safety and hate violence. If you identify as a woman or an LGBTQ person, make sure to attend.
AVP’s “trainings and workshops provide participants with information on the impact of hate motivated violence, safety planning strategies, tips on preventing or reducing the impact of violence, information on how to create LGBTQH [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV+] inclusive organizations, and how to support the needs of LGBTQ survivors of violence.”
For more information visit www.avp.org and feel free to email cb at greenpointchurch.org with any questions about the event.
Update: Cancelled. Will be rescheduled to a TBA date.
The recent sexual assault in Greenpoint has many Greenpointers saddened, confused and scared. While the police are still conducting an investigation, reports have been made that the rape was a hate crime. Many residents have mentioned forming neighborhood watches or bike patrol programs to prevent future crimes.
Tomorrow – Wednesday June 25th, 2013 at 7:30pm at Greenpoint Church (136 Milton St) there will be a Community Forum on Sexual Violence. It is FREE,open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Hosted by Greenpoint Church Associate Minister C.B Stewart, Council Member Stephen Levin and Brooklyn Community Gay Pride Center, the recent sexual assault in Greenpoint will be discussed as well as ways to create a community-based strategy for staying safe in Greenpoint – with a focus but not limit to the LGBTQ community here.
WEDNESDAY 3/28
THURSDAY 3/29
FRIDAY 3/30 
