2 3 Pride Mission Statement Brooklyn Pride, Inc. strives to increase visibility, acceptance, and inclusion to ensure equality for the LBGTQIA+ Community honoring the Spirit of the Stonewall Riots.

Brooklyn Pride 157 13th Street • Brooklyn, NY 11215 PO Box 150508 • Brooklyn, NY 11215 718-928-3320 [email protected] www.BrooklynPride.org

Connect With Us! Facebook: BrooklynPrideInc Twitter: @brooklyn_pride Instagram: brooklyn_pride

Board of Directors

Co Chairs Jamie Farnam & Mickey Heller Secretary Ariel Sanders Treasurer Jess Kelly Members at Large Cam Moore, Entertainment Co-Director Mohammad Hamad, Entertainment Co-Director Tyler Evertsen, Communications Coordinator

Kyle Naff - 5k Run Director Shirt Logo: Sean O’Mara Website Design: Michael Fieni

Pride Guide Editors: Mickey Heller & Godwin Chu Writer & Copy Editor: Godwin Chu Graphic Design and Layout: Rori Baldari

The Brooklyn Pride Guide is published by Brooklyn Pride, Inc. Re- production or use of editorial or advertising contents in any manner without the permission of Brooklyn Pride, Inc. is strictly prohibited. Publication in the Newsletter or Guide of the name or photograph of any person or organization is not to be construed as any indication of sexual orientation or opinions of said person or organization. Brooklyn Pride, Inc. shall not be held responsible for any typographical or reproduction errors provided by the advertisers. © 2021 Brooklyn Pride, Inc., Brooklyn, 4 5 6 7 8 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jamie Farnam Ariel Sanders Co-Chair Secretary Jamie is a Jersey girl trans- This Brooklyn native is planted to Brooklyn 13 super honored to be a years ago. She currently re- part of Brooklyn Pride for sides in and another year! Being raised loves how eclectic the bor- by her parents to always ough’s neighborhoods are. be warm, friendly, and help- She is a non-profit profes- ful, coupled with strong sional dedicated to community service values instilled by the Quaker LGBTQIA+ causes, and is so excited to have High School education she received, Ariel could been able to merge these two passions by work- not be more excited to be volunteering for an ing with Brooklyn Pride for five years. It has been organization that represents two of her biggest her tremendous honor to serve as co-chair of loves – Pride and Brooklyn! Ariel currently serves the board of Brooklyn Pride, Inc. for its 25th year. as Brooklyn Pride’s Volunteer Coordinator. Edi- She wishes to say a huge THANK YOU to all of tor’s Note: – Ariel is a past recipient of the VOTY the volunteers and supporting partners. Without - (Volunteer of the Year Award) for her amazing these folks, Pride simply does not happen. A giant dedication and service to Brooklyn Pride! XO to Jeana P. for all of her love, hard work, and support for Brooklyn Pride. You are the most Tyler Evertsen amazing wife, gardener, and doggie mamma any Communications flower could ask for! Coodinator Tyler has led a very adven- Mickey Heller turous and eclectic life, and Co-Chair the road that has brought him to Brooklyn has been Mickey Heller, a Native fraught with both highs and lows. While teaching New Yorker from the at a local college part-time, his career in clinical Bronx, has spent almost 40 social work keeps him engaged with many people years in Brooklyn. A grad- throughout the boroughs. Additionally, he also uate of the HS of Music & serves on the NYU LGBTQ Alumni Network Art, Hunter College and Board as well as contributing his time and energy Brooklyn Law School, to aid in keeping Brooklyn Pride a success. As if Mickey has been practicing there weren’t enough on the proverbial plate, he law for almost 30 years. A has resurrected his alter ego, the artist known as founding board member of the Brooklyn Com- Tyler Alyxander (The By+ch of Brooklyn), and is munity Pride Center, Mickey has done volunteer currently rebuilding a brand that will both enter- work for a number of non-profit organizations, tain and enthrall. The sky’s the limit and the only but says he is proudest of his work with Brooklyn way is up! Pride, Inc. He began with Brooklyn Pride, Inc. driving former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’ parade truck/float in 2007 and Mohammad Hamad 2008. That led to volunteering in 2009 on the pa- Entertainment rade and 5K Run, and in 2010 he became, and Co-director currently serves, as the Parade Coordinator. Prior to joining the board of Mickey became Co-Chair of Brooklyn Pride in Brooklyn Pride in 2015, Mo- 2012, Chair from 2013-2015 and is thrilled to be hammad volunteered as a Stage working with Jamie Farnam as Co-Chairs since Manager during the summer of 2016. Mickey also serves on the board of the 2014. He originally moved to Piper Theatre Company and has been proud to New York from Boston to pur- serve as the Fifth Avenue BID’s “official” Park sue graduate studies in sociol- Slope Santa for the past seven years. Mickey sends ogy and remains invested in a special hug to “O” for everything. continues 9 Board of Directors cont’d Other Contributors

making quality education accessible to undeserved Godwin Chu people and communities. Aside from his involvement Pride Guide as a board member, Mohammad is the chair of our in- Editor augural Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which aims Godwin Chu is a to integrate and empower the most marginalized writer and copy edi- voices in the LGBTQIA+ community. Beyond Brook- tor. He was born in lyn Pride, he is an activist in the global movement for Burma, grew up in Palestinian human rights, enjoys the arts and plays the San Francisco, and violin. has been in New Jess Kelly York City for over 20 years. He is com- Treasurer mitted to supporting Jessica, a recent Brook- queer rights and visibility, especially in the bi, lyn Transplant, grew up pan, trans, gender neutral, and non-binary com- in a volunteer family. munities. He lives in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. From spending Christ- mas serving at a soup kitchen to tutoring at Kyle Naff an orphanage, she was 5k Run Director raised to believe you Kyle Naff, originally give back to communi- from the cornfields ties you’re a part of and believe it. When she of the Midwest, landed in Brooklyn a year ago without knowing a landed in Brooklyn to soul, she immediately started searching for organ- see what it was like izations she supported and could give a helping to live in the big city. hand to. Brooklyn Pride took her in with open While he thought arms and granted her the opportunity to help that it would be just for a short stint, he has man- bring the LGBTQIA+ community together. aged to find a sense of community here through fitness and running with Front Runners New York. Cam Moore His involvement with the team led him to take up Entertainment an offer to oversee the Brooklyn Pride Co-director LGBTQIA+ 5K as a way to get even more in- Cam migrated to New volved and give back to the community that has York from Florida. been his home for the last six years. He’s got Since being in New York some big shoes to fill, so here’s to hoping that this she participated in sev- year’s event, though definitely different, is just as eral groups that focused good as in years past. on planning events within the Lesbian com- munity. Cam is currently the PR director for the Michael S.W.A.G Enterprises meetup organization, where Fieni they host community events in NY and around the Website Designer world. She also has a background in the theatre Mike is proud to have and spent many years working for Universal Stu- designed and launched dios Florida. This love for theatre brought her to the new Brooklyn volunteer with Brooklyn Pride as a Stage Manager Pride website in 2020. in 2016. As of 2018, she accepted an invitation He works as Brooklyn from the Brooklyn Pride Board and she will work Public Library's director of community engage-

on supporting many events with the Brooklyn s ment and also designs websites for artists, poets, Pride team. and authors. This August marks his 20th year in .

continues 10 Rori Baldari most of their therapy career working in an inte- grated care setting in community health centers Graphic Designer where they work to increase access to mental Rori has been doing health care and support medical providers in car- the graphic design ing for LGBTQ folks and folks with mental health and production of the struggles. Genna spends a lot of their time think- Brooklyn Pride Guide ing about ways to make LGBTQ folks feel seen since 2001, and and supported in the health care system. When was a Grand Marshall not working, Genna can be found spending time

in 2003. She with their family and community, roller skating, creates promotional and in the sunshine. s materials for the Am- ateur Astronomers Association of New York, and participates in many 5k Run Community Grant Recipient public outreach stargazing events throughout the year. Rori also produces tournament programs for the International Women’s Flag Football Associa- tion and has illustrated components and diagrams

for the Star Wars Role Playing Game. s Tuesday Night Panelists

Quanita Hailey This year’s Volunteer Grant recipient, GOTHAM Quanita Hailey is an CHEER, is a nonprofit adult cheerleading team alum of Mount Holyoke that was created out of the founders’ drive to give college and Union Theo- back to those who are in need, particularly logical Seminary where LGBTQ homeless or disadvantaged youth. she received her Masters Their diverse and unique service-oriented of Divinity with a focus LGBTQIA+ members aim to be leaders in the in Womanist Queer community through volunteer work & community Ethics. Lovingly, nick- service events. The team’s mission is to amplify named Q, she currently the voices of those in our community working serves as a Staff Chaplain at NewYork-Presbyter- hard to bring awareness to LGBTQ issues, ian Brooklyn Methodist hospital. She is the cre- HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging conditions by ator of the Women of Color Trailblazers raising money for local charities and through ad- Leadership Conference at Mount Holyoke Col- vocacy and volunteer work with their Community lege. Q is a lover of her family and a peer advo- Partners. cate. She can be found dreaming up new creative convening ideas for FreeXone 4 Us, a free With the COVID-19 global pandemic, Gotham QTPOC communal space that seeks to evoke the Cheer has shifted their usual program strategies sacred and promote healing in NYC. and events to include more creative ways to de- liver community service, such as the creation of Genna Ayers video performances for HMI's Youth Pride and Genna Ayres is a behav- other local Pride celebrations. They’ve also devel- ioral health provider oped a youth mentoring video series, participated who strives to create in COVID-19 outreach initiatives, created youth safe and affirming spaces mental health & wellness photo campaigns and in medical and mental webinars, led youth body & meditation virtual health care for LGBTQ workshops, and collected winter apparel, PPE and people. Since graduating toiletries for homeless LGBTQIA+ youth during from Columbia with a the pandemic. The funds from the Volunteer masters in social work Grant will go towards the continued production

and a masters in public health, Genna has spent of these efforts. s

11 12 At the Old Stone House This Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lily Ali-Oshatz and Mark Summer: Prospect Hill Galinovsky

A New Play About Lesbian and Directed by Jessi D. Hill Queer History in 1990s Park Slope Developmental Producing by Madeline Wall Music Direction by Jacklyn Riha Costume Design by Saawan Tiwari

Lighting Design by Elizabeth M. Stewart Casting Direction by Charlie Hano s Gayming and Gaymers by Christopher Lily Ali-Oshatz and Mark Galinovsky, the creators of "Prospect Hill" Fuhrey As NYC’s theater scene slowly reopens, make sure to check out Prospect Hill at Park Slope’s Old Gayming, or gay gaming, is a term to describe the Stone House this July! activity that many LGBTQIA+ people engage in Prospect Hill explores chosen family and the in- when they play video games. Video games have tergenerational friendships that help queer people been a way for many people around the world to find their way in this world. It is the inaugural pro- process the world around them, and in the case duction of the Musicals Now Festival: New Musi- of queerness, has also been a great way for people cals from Brooklyn Artists, produced by Park to connect with each other. From the early days Slope’s very own Piper Theatre Productions. of meeting up at arcades, to now being able to “Coming out of this pandemic, our human con- play games online LGTBQIA+ people can find nections, our stories, and our ability to survive feels representation in the games they play, and even very tied to our neighborhoods and communities,” connection with other gaymers no matter where writers Lily Ali-Oshatz and Mark Galinovsky said. they are in the world. When the pandemic hit, “Prospect Hill not only seeks to uplift our neigh- many video game companies noticed a sharp borhood, but also asks us to think deeply about our uptick in their amount of customers and sales. place in it. As New Yorkers, we can feel empowered Since queer people haven't been able to celebrate to be a force for good in the city that we love." each other for some time, it makes sense that we The collaborative duo set out to create a musical have moved towards gayming spaces, and even about the lesbian and queer history of Park Slope making inclusive spaces online for those who wish in the 1990s. Through dedicated research at the for more community. Lesbian Herstory Archives (484 14th St. in Park Christopher Fuhrey is something that I made Slope), online and print resources, and community during the time of COVID-19 in 2020. By the time interviews, Lily and Mark tell a story in Prospect June came, I felt like I had spent the larger portion Hill about queer spaces, friendship, love, and what of the year reading and watching people die. It felt it means to be a New Yorker. like an eternity until I discovered Twitch and "There's a lot going on in our community in streaming. I was truly captivated and moved to see terms of identity and how we want to occupy all of these people, creating love and light from space together as queer people,” Lily adds. “I see it the comfort of their own homes for the world to as a strength that Mark is a cis gay man and I'm a see and have. I got the equipment together, asked nonbinary queer woman. As our show centers on a few questions, and now here I am. My identity lesbian stories, it feels very important to be sup- as a Black, queer person who loves gaming has re- ported by and in collaboration with Mark. I don't ally helped me face many obstacles, and by pro- always feel that in queer spaces, but it’s vital to re- viding a safe space on Twitch I am also putting member that we need one another to keep our more love and light into the world. community healthy and strong.” Editor’s Note: Additional sources for more in- Performances of Prospect Hill Are Free! formation include 8:30 p.m. on July 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 Gay Geeks of NY The Old Stone House (336 3rd St.) Flame Con

For more information, visit: pipertheatre.org NYC Gaymers s 13 Cook Out The Vote turns elections into celebrations. A citi- InterPride started out as a -based zen's right to vote is national organization in October 1982, whose the essential counter- membership and attendance grew to encompass weight against authoritarianism, and we’ve neighboring continents, and then countries, made exercising that right a chore. It should across the world during the first couple of not be this way. Cook Out The Vote connects decades — leading to a much more international food, culture, and community to enhance voter base since. With that, it made perfect sense that experience, help small businesses, and the European Pride Organisers Association strengthen the networks crucial to the vitality (EPOA, founded in 1991) and Fierté Canada of our civic institutions. Help us make voting Pride (FCP, founded in 2004) would form from better, safer, easier, and more fun! Volunteer or this membership and become partners under the donate at cookoutthevote.org. Follow us on

InterPride umbrella. In the future, we are looking Instgram Twitter, and Facebook Questions? forward to the same coming together from Latin Email us at [email protected] s and South Americas, Oceania, Asia, and African nations. Currently divided into 20 distinct regions, rep- resented by Global Advisory Council represen- tatives, InterPride is a myriad of voices and viewpoints, an example of which was evidenced by the wildly successful Global Pride 2020 virtual event produced in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing more than 400 Pride organiza- tions to cancel their annual events. Hosted on a variety of platforms, including Todrick Hall's YouTube channel, over 57 million viewers watched 27.5 hours of Pride around the world. God’s Love We Deliver was founded in 1985 It is this influence of InterPride that started as an urgent response to the AIDS pandemic. with a simple mission (to network and mentor What began as one woman delivering meals Pride organizations), which brings together more to one man who was dying of AIDS has grown than 500 organizations, and empowers Prides into an organization that serves more than worldwide. 10,000 individuals each year. We cook and If your organization would like to join Inter- home-deliver nutritious, medically tailored Pride, please visit and sign up today! If you wish meals for people too sick to shop or cook for to make a donation and support InterPride's themselves. We also provide ongoing nutrition continued mentoring of Pride organizations, assessment, education, and counseling. God’s please contribute at interpride.org. We also Love is a non-sectarian organization serving have a Solidarity fund that donates back to the people in need and their children and care-

international LGBTQI+community. s givers. All of our services are provided free to clients and full of love. We are part of the fabric of New York, and we would love for you to get involved! Yo u can volunteer in SoHo in our kitchen or in meal packaging, and you can also help deliver meals to your neighbors with one of our driv- ers or in your own car. If you do not have time to join us in person, donations are always much appreciated. $10 funds a meal for some- one living with serious illness, and $100 funds a full week of delicious, medically tailored

meals! To donate, volunteer, become a client, InterPride San Diego 1983 or just learn more, please visit glwd.org. s 14 BROOKLYN PRIDE SPECIAL THANKS

Brooklyn Pride offers our deepest grati- • Front Runners New York tude and appreciation to the individuals, PO Box 230087 groups and organizations that provided us Ansonia Station unwavering support and assistance in bring- New York, NY 10023 ing this year’s pride event to Brooklyn. Brooklyn, NY 11201

www.frny.org Without your support, encouragement and belief, Pride 2021 would not have • Det. Brian Laffey been possible. 78th Pct. Community Affairs Office

65 6th Avenue • The dedicated volunteers of Brooklyn, NY 11217 Brooklyn Pride, Inc. and (718) 636-6410 • Mike Racioppo, District Manger, Community Board #6 • Kimberly Maier, Exec. Dir. 250 Baltic Street Kim Fenwick, Docent Brooklyn NY 11201 The Old Stone House (718) 643-3027 Washington Park www.brooklyncb6.org 336 Third Street Brooklyn, NY 11215 The Park Slope Civic Council P.O. Box 172, 123 Seventh Avenue, • Borough President Borough Brooklyn, NY 11215 President Eric L. Adams, Eileen (718) 783-1723 Newman, Lori Luis, Ron Ricardo www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org Brooklyn Borough Hall 209 Joralemon Street • Mark Caserta Executive Brooklyn, NY 11201 Director, Joanna Tallantire, (718) 802- 3700 Deputy Director 5th Avenue BID 343 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 718-551-5545 PLEASE patronize and support the www.parkslopefifthavenuebid.com various businesses and organizations that placed ads in this Pride Guide. They • Lawrence A. Timberlake, support Brooklyn Pride and help us Jasmine Haynes, continue to get better every year. NYC Parks and & Recreation Litchfield Villa There are SO many people to thank, 95 Prospect Park West and if we accidently omitted anyone, we Brooklyn, NY 11215 apologize greatly, but appreciate all of (718) 965-6993 your support. www.prospectpark.org

15 Brooklyn’s Pop Artist Ed Heck Ed Heck is a New York Pop Artist and chil- dren’s book author known for his brightly col- ored whimsical works on canvas. His enigmatic canvases were first exhibited in New York City in 1999 and were an instant hit. Interest and demand continue to grow, and his work can now be found in galleries around the world. Unique style and appeal have forged his repu- tation as one of the leading pop artists of our time.

Dyke Beer One is immediately disarmed by the naïve Loretta Chung & Sarah Hallonquist are the co- charm of these brightly colored works on can- founders of Dyke Beer, a new queer brewery vas. A native New Yorker and current Brook- based out of Brooklyn. The focus of this project lyn resident, Heck graduated from the School is on queer women, nonbinary & transgender of Visual Arts, and went on to work at the Mu- visibility and a campaign to talk about lost dyke seum of Natural History where his detailed space. Lesbian Bar Project has said in 1980 drawings can be found throughout the mu- there used to be 200 lesbian bars in the coun- seum’s fossil halls. While his works on paper try, now there are only 20, three of which are and canvas have lost all the excess baggage of in New York City, Henrietta Hudsons and Cub- detail, they are distilled into an essence that can byhole in and Gingers in Brooklyn. only be the result of the most focused of study. The beer comes with a Zine explaining the his- Ed has written and illustrated numerous tory behind the word “dyke,” a list of the re- children’s books including “Monkey Lost”, “Big maining dyke bars in the United States and Fish, Little Fish” and his own line of board information on their first grassroots project books from Penguin Publishing titled “ED Dyke Bar Takeover. DBT is an organization that HECK Just Board.” His images have been li- seeks to promote “dyke nights” in straight bars, censed on apparel, home furnishings, dog toys, and though the events, promoting and paying and a line of Ed HECK luggage and travel ac- queer artists. They use the cover money for cessories. He has shown himself an ally to the local queer charities, hoping to create more LGBTQIA+ community having done a number space for the dyke/queer community. Currently of wonderful pieces to celebrate equality. Dyke Beer is working with Greenpoint Beer & His work will be featured during Pride month Ale on a new Gose Beer called “Tallgirl” to and will make a special appearance on Sunday, focus on femmes, drag queens, and June 13th 2021 at GUMBO, 495 Atlantic Avenue, transwomen along with the queer bar Good Brooklyn, NY 11217 as part of Pride Atlantic

Judy. The beer will be hot pink, salty, slighty Ave. FB /Ed.heck.12 sour and very fruity. Instagram @ed_heck s Dyke Beer as a nanobrewery in the U.S. craft beer world educates a white cis male dominated industry on queer and dyke issues- everything from human rights to visibility to a lack of space. It’s been interesting talking with humans who have never had queer friends/fam- ily and never once thought of these issues be- fore. Dyke Beer’s future goal would be to build a dyke bar & brewery concept for the queer community in NYC. They love creating joy for the community, receiving your Instagram tags, organizing more queer spaces in straight bars, and thinking up quality beer recipes for your

enjoyment. s 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 MONDAY NIGHT

TUESDAY NIGHT

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brooklyn-pride-remaining-resilient-coping-with-mental-health-tickets-156037701967

23 WEDNESDAY NIGHT

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paint-and-sip-with-brooklyn-pride-tickets-156314556045

THURSDAY NIGHT

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brooklyn-pride-drag-bingo-tickets-155553602011

24 FRIDAY NIGHT

SATURDAY

25 26 ENTERTAINMENT STAGE

Alise King is a Cheer multi award winning New York R&B Soul Artist who is a certified has opened for the 501(c)3 non- likes of The Iconic profit organi- Chaka Khan, The leg- zation endary Aretha comprised of Franklin, The Trailblazing George Clinton, all-volunteer LGBTQ+ and ally cheerlead- just to name a few. She has graced stages ers. Our mission is to use our athletic and touring in North Carolina, Washington, philanthropic abilities to empower and af- D.C., California, Ohio and more! Alise is a fect change in our communities through powerhouse vocalist and the true the em- charitable action. Since Cheer New York bodiment of SOUL! She even refers to her- was founded in 2001, we have been serving self as a D.I.V.A which stands for Divine the Tri-State Area by inspiring and encour- Instrument Vocalizing (her) Ability which is aging audiences wherever we perform and to use her gift of song to spread love, joy by raising money for local LGBTQ+ chari- and happiness to people across the world! ties through our New York Spirit Fund.

Camille J - Record- ing artist/profession dancer. Born in the heart of Brooklyn, Camille J’s perform- ance brings an exqui- site vibe to the Chix Appeal is an all-female rock band crowd. She has blessed NYC & New Jersey performing your favorite covers by the likes Pride with her talents plenty times before. of Pat Benatar and The Go Go’s as well as She has worked with many A-list artists their own rockin’ originals! Chix Appeal has such as Ashanti, Remy-Ma, Neyo, Travis Scott played clubs all over NYC as well as most and more. Be sure to check her out at of the pride festivals in the Tri-state area! camillejmusic.com They have also been awarded a grant from Staten Island Arts Organization to record Cham- their first EP! The band includes Cece, berQUEER Aileen, Gulya, Mayna and Andrea. is an https://www.facebook.com/Chixappeal/ LGBTQ+ chamber Control The music organ- Sound, ization based Brooklyn-based in Brooklyn, rockers, are a NY. teenaged, Its mission is to program queer artists and genre-bending composers; highlight historically under-rep- quintet whose resented queer figures in classical music; and roots trace back to an elementary school provide an inclusive and intersectional space talent show. Weaving a soulful blend of jazz, in classical music for artists and audience blues, hip-hop, funk, and rock, the group of alike. friends pack a punch into every single per- 27 ENTERTAINMENT STAGE formance. With nearly 100 gigs in New York she performed at the NAMM Conference City under their belt, Control The Sound in LA, SXSW in Austin, participated in the has played at popular venues including High School Nation Tour, Primavera Sound Brooklyn Steel and Brooklyn Bowl and has Festival in Barcelona, MIDEM Conference in opened for bands like The New Master- Cannes, and was the support act for Belinda sounds and The Cat Empire. Carlisle's UK Tour in the fall.

Cyndi Woods is a JaeSam is an open transgender woman Pop/Hip-hop Gay and has been a pro- male all around per- fessional entertainer former with a dance for over two decades. crew. He has been She has also partici- performing around 7 pated in the gay years and has been pageantry circuit, earning the title of Miss seen on many Pride stages:Brooklyn, Gay San Antonio 2010. A Texas native, Cyndi Queens, and Staten Island. JaeSam has also is known for her tantalizing numbers that performed at multiple LGBTQ lounge and are sure to bring a smile to many faces. She bars, Macy's, RawArtists Events and Boys is known for her impersonation styles, par- and Girls clubs. JaeSam has always wanted ticularly Diana Ross. She also enjoys giving to be a role model for the upcoming back to her community and has been a sup- LGBTQ music artists to be proud of them- porter of Brooklyn Pride for many years. selves. JaeSam loves to get the crowd mov- ing and has a dream to perform on all Pride Dan Kiernan is a stages. Stand Proud always!! Blessing!! NY based queer pop/soul singer-song- Jeannie Sol born writer. Dan's music is and raised in Sunset soulful, pop, & high Park, Brooklyn. She energy that not only began performing at makes you feel good Spectrum, Old Es- but feel everything. He is influenced by cuelita, Monster, 2000s pop, pop punk, & classic rock. Dan is Stonewall, and Two excited to bring his music to Brooklyn Potato to name a few. Her advocacy with Pride, especially this year. the LGBTQ Community is still going strong to this day. She has been volunteering for Emergency Tiara NYC pride for about 5 years. Jeannie Sol is is the sparkling NYC known for spreading love and joy with her based band from the stories and voice and is also one of the old- creative mind of ring- est Drag Queens in the business! Jeannie leader Juri Jinnai. To- Sol is currently working in a childrens the- gether with her band ater teaching Equality and Love. Emergency Tiara whisks you away into her magical kingdom Jendog Lonewolf is a Two Spirit/Black- where French pop, J-Pop and Surf rock col- Native, Photographer/Multi-disciplinary lide. Their energetic stage show is only Artivist + Hip Hop Emcee from Bushwick, matched by their vibrant costumes. In 2019, Brooklyn. She's an global touring Artivist continued on next page 28 ENTERTAINMENT STAGE who has shared Kevin Tapia was stages with many born to Mexican par- icons like Nile ents and is from New Rodgers,Harry Be- York City. He is a lafonte, Desmond Mainstream Pop artist Tutu,Rah Digga and who performs music Joan Baez. Jendog in Spanish and English, Lonewolf collabo'd w/ Grammy® winner with a side of Reggae- Dan Zanes on two Hip Hop-Folk Music col- ton fusion. Kevin has laborations, including a Lead Belly tribute incorporated his guitar to a majority of his for Smithsonian Institute’s Folkways songs. He has performed at the following Records. She is also a proud member of events: New York State Fair of Syracuse, PeoplesMusicNetwork + its Steering Com- Branch Brook Park of Newark, NJ and was mittee. featured on Univision TV New York (Chan- nel 41) for the Viernes Y Mas TV show. Kevin Jesse Vega is a Tapia’s music is officially available on all Pop/Dance & R&B major digital music platforms. recording artist who resides in the Bronx. Lailah Lancing is Jesse Vega got his first an Out, Loud, and experience at Brook- Proud Transwoman, lyn Pride in 2019 pro- Singer/Songwriter, moting & performing Trans Rights Advo- his single “Let cate, and Nightlife Me”,”Keep Watching Me” & “He’ll Never Be personality. She has Me”. He currently is working on new music been a staple in NYC for nearly 3 decades! and hopes to share his talent and music In her career she’s been a part of all things from around the world. fabulous from The 90’s club scene, Leg- endary NYC Drag Dining establishment Kenny Supreme Lucky Cheng’s, And the Burlesque & was born & raised in Cabaret circuits. She’s honored to be back Bronx, NY and he Emceeing Brooklyn Pride this year! Let’s sings, dances & acts. have a SAFE & HAPPY Pride!!! He is a musical per- former who has per- Marilyn Monhoe formed in bars and coming in at close to 8 festivals throughout FEET Tall, is the NYC. Kenny has BIGGEST Musical The- atre Drag Queen NYC been writing & producing his own music has recently seen! Mari- since 16 years old. His music style is a blend lyn is a rising star within of dance, R&B and pop. Kenny Supreme's the local Drag Scene in music influences are Lady Gaga, Tinashe & New York City; a regular Jennifer Lopez and they have motivated him performer at Bel-Aire Diner’s Drive in Drag to continue to work on music & succeed in Show, and frequent regular within Hell’s Kitchen his dream of being an international pop star. Drag Shows/Competitions! Marilyn is a musical theatre Drag Queen debuting many looks for

continued on next page 29 New Way to Vote ENTERTAINMENT STAGE For the 2021 municipal elections, New York popular musicals such as Kinky Boots, A Chorus City will be using ranked-choice voting, a sys- Line, Wicked, and Hamilton! Marilyn collaborates tem which enables voters to rank candidates, with many local theatre professionals and has also instead of choosing one over the others. been featured in local Television programs such Voters can rank up to five candidates, assign- as POSE: Season 2, and the upcoming Netflix ing number 1 to their favorite, 2 to their sec- Original Series HALSTON. ond favorite, and so forth through 5. In an election with as many candidates as we have Ron B is a celebrity this year, ranked-choice voting ensures that a impersonator (Tina candidate does not win with less than 50% of Turner) and also adds support from voters—a possibility in an elec- over two years of expe- tion with so many candidates. rience as an actor and If a candidate wins more than 50% of all artist. Ron B also leads number-1 votes, they win outright. If not, the a television show called: No Boundaries: Up candidate with the least number-1 votes is Close and Personal. She eliminated, and their number-2 choices are re- has been a big supporter of Brooklyn Pride and assigned to the remaining candidates. If this was previously selected as a Grand Marshal. Ron fails to produce a winner, another round is B is excited to continue giving back. held and so forth until a candidate reaches the 50% threshold. Tony Enos Rowan Interested in local Brooklyn politics? Join University hailed him as the Lambda Independent Democrats of "a National treasure in Brooklyn (“LID”). We strive to see LGBTQ the LGBTQ2S Com- people represented in all levels of Brooklyn munity". Tony Enos politics, including elected office. (Cherokee) is a two- For more information or to join us, visit time Native American rankthevotenyc.org. Music Awards Nominee, Jared Arader (writer) is an attorney and who celebrates over a president of the Lambda Independent Democ- decade as a singer, songwriter/producer, electri- rats of Brooklyn. He has held the position fying live stage entertainer, and activist. Enos burst onto the pop music scene with his 2012 break- since January 2019, previously serving as a through album “The Heat.” His 2020 career defin- board member and vice president. In 2019, ing 4th studio album “POSI+IVE,” brought Enos Jared was honored by CIty and State Magazine out publicly with his HIV status, and amplified the in its "40 under 40" special edition, and has

been included in the magazine’s Pride Power PLWH experience. s 100 list in 2019 and 2020. Victoria Williams is the dancing diva of NYC! She is the reigning MISS ROCKBAR and 1st preliminary alternate for the National Pageant “New Comer U.S. OF A.” While in quarantine, she is super proud of booking a national Target commercial, where Vic- toria Williams was featured as one of the main faces for their 2020 pride campaign! She believes that being a Drag Queen is not only having the

ability to entertain, but to also to use your plat- form to s be the voice for those who can not speak. 30 Preventative Maintenance Living in Brooklyn through the pandemic has been an experience shared collectively and in- dividually. For some, anxiety became a new ex- perience and for others it was heightened. Fortunately, my anxiety didn’t flare up, although I did have moments where I had to step away PANYC and take a breather. I’m grateful I learned pre- Pride Alliance of New York City, or PANYC, for ventive maintenance in order to calm myself short, is a collective of Pride Organizations and be present. Doing a little work on myself from New York City. That’s right – we really do everyday built the foundation for a healthy life. all know each other! Not only that, our mis- In turn, I finished writing my book, Preventive sion is to uplift each Pride to its highest level Maintenance: A Memoir (2021). I started it possible. Started in the chilly fall of 2018 by 2007 to help those suffering from anxiety, with Marcy Carr of the Pride Center of Staten Is- the intention of finishing it only when I was off land, we currently consist of seven organiza- medication and living a healthy lifestyle. It re- tions, Brooklyn Pride, Inc, included; however, flects on the time in the mid 90s when I was a we are always looking to grow and collaborate heavy drinker and quit cold turkey. As a result, with other fabulous Pride Organizations within I started having anxiety/panic attacks and my the five boroughs. Know of any, or even better, life turned upside down. I struggled coping in are you a member of one? Reach out! In the everyday life for years before I was diagnosed. meantime, stay tuned for events that are I knew with determination and perseverance I brought to you from ALL of the boroughs…

could gain some relief from the hold anxiety Ariel Sanders s had on me. It took a lot of inner work, listening to therapists, and being open to new tech- niques that I used to make fun of, such as med- itation to help me become more focused, mindful, and present. These tools oiled my gears in order to keep mind, body, and soul in motion. That is preventive maintenance. For further information you can go to Callen- Lorde or your primary doctor to find re- sources that fit your needs. T Green (author) holds an MSW and a Mas- ter’s Certification in gerontology from the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh and worked as a licensed social worker in the state of New York. She was raised in Iowa and has resided in Brooklyn,

for the past decade. s

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