This announcement of an upcoming Drag Story Hour/Cabaret for Kids at the New York State Museum in Albany, NY is probably the best thing about this year’s Pride Month, and it’s being helmed by two of my favorite performers – Frieda Munchon and Carmie Hope. While the Republican Party is currently doing its best to alienate itself from the most basic tenets of human decency, it has turned its wayward focus to attacking drag performers. The last hundred reports of adults sexually abusing children I’ve heard about were perpetrated by straight white men. Not one of those was a drag queen. But the GOP is going off the deep end and most sane people are beginning to see that, so to be attacked and vilified by them is now a mark of honor and, dare I say, respectability. 

As for a drag queen story hour for kids, I only wish someone had taken me to something like this when I was a kid. Children can usually detect authenticity, and they often respond with unspoken respect and adoration to those who are most themselves, even and especially when what they’re doing makes them different from other people. To be a drag queen takes the courage and determination to be what you absolutely have to be no matter how much shit you will inevitably get from certain hateful sectors of the world. To be a drag queen takes the bravery and nobility to stay true to yourself in the face of others who may never understand or accept or simply leave you alone. To be a drag queen is to embrace a spirit of fun and beauty and open-heartedness that makes this world a better place. 

I can’t think of a better role model for a child to have. 

{The Drag Story Hour/Cabaret for Families and Kids will take place on June 24, 2023 at the Huxley Theater at the New York State Museum, 260 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY. The event is free and runs from 1 to 4 PM.}

A fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to make a difference and do work that matters, the Edie Windsor, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera LGBTQ+ Fellowship job posting just went up, so if you know anyone interested in a fellowship for the next two years, check out the official link here and read more about it below:

The New York State LGBTQ+ Fellowship was established to support the ongoing efforts in the Governor’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across New York State government. The LGBTQ+ Fellow is awarded every two years to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to social justice, a track record of working on LGBTQ+ equality, civil rights, and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, and a strong interest in a career in public service.

The Fellow will serve in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and assist the Chief Diversity Officer in optimizing New York State agency diversity and inclusion goals, increasing BIPOC representation across New York State agencies, and continuing to build the State’s leadership as a model employer for New Yorkers of all gender identities and sexual orientations. In collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the Fellow will also work to advance LGBTQ+ equity across New York State government, including providing policy and content expertise, project management, strategic communications, and legislative tracking.

The fellowship is named after LGBTQ+ leaders who have—with their courage, tenacity and perseverance—raised awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and made a lasting difference in advancing civil rights for some of the most marginalized within the LGBTQ+ community. The fellowship lasts for two years and is named in recognition of three New York leaders: Edie Windsor for her groundbreaking advocacy successfully challenging the federal defense of marriage act and Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for their movement leading work against gender identity discrimination and advocacy for transgender inclusion within the larger LGBTQ+ movement.

The Fellow will have the opportunity to network across New York State agencies, with elected officials and industry partners and to participate as an Empire State Fellow in educational and professional development programs, including a week-long orientation session and biweekly evening classes that will help them to serve as an effective government leader and strengthen the network of LGBTQ+ policymakers and leaders in New York State working to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Fellow will serve from September 2023 to September 2025 and will earn a salary of $85,000 plus a generous benefits package.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required – advanced degree preferred
• Five (5) or more years of full-time professional work experience
• Demonstrated leadership potential
• Availability to work in Albany, NY with significant travel across the state throughout the two-year program

Applicants who are members of groups underrepresented in policy-making roles in New York State government, which include but are not limited to Black, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander persons; women; persons with disabilities; and gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender persons, are particularly encouraged to apply. Those currently employed in the legislative or executive branches of New York state government are not eligible to apply.

APPLICATION AND POSTING HERE.

Time for a celebratory moment in honor of an amazing organization. In Our Own Voices, Inc. is commemorating 25 years of providing programs and services to LGBTQAI+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color! That’s 25 years of building our own tables, strengthening our own voices, and empowering our communities to live authentically.

This is a monumental milestone and we hope to see you at the celebration! Join us at 8pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023, the official anniversary of our founding, for a cocktail party at The State Room in Downtown Albany.

Featuring:

• DJ RVMBA on the ones and two
• An extra special drag performance by Mor’Glamazon and Philly Pina
• And cocktails, of course!

Friends and family, we’ll bring the hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and DJs, all that’s missing is YOU.

{TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE.}