Welcome to the Event Line-Up Page. Westchester Pride 2021 is a virtual, month-long celebration for June!
We are so excited to share with you all of the activities that we have planned (see below)! We are continuously updating these events with more information and adding new ones, so keep coming back to get the latest scoop!
JUNE 6, 2021-SUNDAY | 11:30 AM-12:30 PM | VIRTUAL-FREE
It's not just a kick-off event, it's a Pride Spectacular! Westchester is one of the best and safest places in the United States to be LGBTQ+ and we're celebrating that fact! We'll have messages from elected officials, musical performances, an inspiring and hilarious celebrity message that you'll only be able to see at the event.
We'll also have EXCLUSIVE information about The LOFT's physical campus reopening and the future of our digital campus!
We also have a few surprises tucked up our sleeves...we can't wait to celebrate Pride with you!!!
JUNE 10, 2021-THURSDAY | 6:00-7:00 PM | VIRTUAL-FREE
New York City recently announced a new partnership with the NGLCC to maximize the inclusion of NGLCC Certified Business Enterprises. The decision will allow businesses that qualify as MWBE and EBE's owned by LGBTQ people a streamlined process to access billions of dollars in city contracts, contract procurements, and opportunities, in addition to accessing priceless resources for historically disadvantaged enterprises in New York City. An agreement was made between New York City’s Department of Small Business Services (SBS) agency and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), and it will allow NLGCC-certified business operators to receive official recognition for their MWBE. The partnership will allow NYC to “fast-track” applications to certify LGBTQ-owned businesses and get them assistance as the country enters the second year of the coronavirus pandemic.
In this FREE workshop, learn how to get certified and the benefits that come with certification. Presented by Pride Premier Sponsor TD Bank in partnership with The LOFT and NGLCC.
JUNE 12, 2021-SATURDAY | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | VIRTUAL-FREE
Join Westchester Drag Superstars Angel Elektra and Shay D'Pines for a Drag Queen Story Hour!
These Drag Queens will be reading This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish Swish Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess, and the Kindness Book by Todd Parr. This event is open to children and families. Adults in attendance must be accompanied by a child.
JUNE 13, 2021-SUNDAY | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | VIRTUAL-FREE
Do you like TED Talks!? Well, then you don't want to miss this event!
Come and hear National LGBTQ+ Rights speaker Tanya Tassi's inspiring message around empowering and protecting our LGBTQ+ rights. Join the community conversation, listen to what other folx have to say and add your voice to the mix!
There's also a special appearance by Westchester County DA, Mimi Rocah. She will share more about the hate crimes initiative specific to Westchester and how the department is working to protect the LGBTQ+ Community!
There will also be a surprise that we can't wait to share with you!
JUNE 23, 2021- WEDNESDAY | BALLROOM: Underground or Mainstream | 8:00-9:30 PM |Virtual-Free
BALLROOM: Underground or Mainstream: This panel discussion will focus on the origins of the house and ballroom community, taking us on a journey from its underground roots to its mainstream emergence. We will hear from Ballroom stars, statements, and legends (all cast members on HBO Max’s Legendary season 2) as they discuss the pros and cons of this evolution. Moderated by choreographer for FX’s Pose, LGBTQ+ youth rights advocate and ballroom performer Twiggy Pucci Garçon.
JUNE 18-25, 2021 Screen Film On-Demand
JUNE 24, 2021-THURSDAY | Watch Party: 6:30-7:50 PM | Q&A Panel: 8:00-9:00 PM| VIRTUAL-FREE
The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center is excited to invite you to a free private virtual screening of the award-winning new documentary CURED, which highlights a pivotal but little-known moment in LGBTQ+ history when activists rose up to challenge a formidable institution — and won! CURED will be available to screen online from June 18-25. Follow this link to screen the film: https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/theloftevent
There will also be an opportunity to view the film with a group during The LOFT's Watch Party via Zoom on Thursday, June 24th at 6:30pm ET followed by a live Zoom virtual panel discussion with the filmmakers at 8 pm ET. Described as “fascinating” (Hollywood Reporter), “riveting” (The Queer Review), and “one of the best documentaries of this or any year” (British Film Institute) — and the winner of Audience Favorite awards at NewFest and Frameline — CURED takes viewers inside the David-versus-Goliath battle that led the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses in 1973. The film spotlights a diverse group of activists who achieved this epic victory in the movement for LGBTQ equality. Watch the trailer for CURED below. https://www.cureddocumentary.com/
The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center is thrilled to partner with the filmmakers for this special screening prior to the film’s national broadcast premiere on PBS in October. CURED will be available to stream at any point between June 18th and June 25th. Registration for the free screening is now open. The June 24th panel event includes a live Q&A session featuring the film's co-director, Bennett Singer; psychologist and film interviewee, Dr. Charles Silverstein, who is a former Westchester County, NY, school teacher; and Director of Development at NAMI Westchester, Sharon Regan Masciovecchio. The virtual Q&A is scheduled for Thursday, June 24th at 8 pm ET.
The Zoom details for June 24th LOFT Watch Party and Q&A Panel for CURED will be emailed out the day before the event. The LOFT Watch Party at 6:30pm and the Q&A Panel at 8pm will be on two separate Zoom links.
While CURED highlights a little-known story from the past, its lessons are profoundly relevant today. Ultimately, the documentary celebrates the pathbreaking contributions of LGBTQ pioneers while demonstrating that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, determined individuals can work together to create lasting social change. We hope you’ll be able to join us to watch and discuss this inspiring new film! Screening the film is free but donations are welcome. Donations received will benefit both The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center and the outreach campaign to bring CURED to audiences worldwide. If you encounter any difficulty accessing the film contact The LOFT's HelpLine at [email protected] or #914-948-2932 or comment here on meetup.com.
Register for The LOFT Watch Party and Q&A Panel here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScX0NHC7LkYZzi0Nh6_f4WQqd4wZHrNRkqlViYSXr-lG8VHIQ/viewform
Learn more about the film and watch its trailer:
Special thanks to the National Alliance on Mental Illness- Westchester (NAMI) for their participation in the Question and Answer Panel
JUNE 26, 2021-SATURDAY | 5:30-7:00 PM | VIRTUAL-FREE
Join us for our TGNCNB Pride celebration, Finding Community for Ourselves, a community conversation about chosen family moderated by the incomparable Cecilia Gentili! This interactive event will also feature musical performances by Keke Velasquez-Lord and a reading by writer/illustrator Morgan Boecher.
JUNE 28, 2021-MONDAY | 7:00-8:30 PM | VIRTUAL-FREE
Join us for our a LGBTQ+ POC Panel Discussion on The Intersectionality of Race & Queerness with Grace Detrevarah and Keith Allen.
This panel will be moderated by Bernard Galeano and Mia Edwards.
JUNE 30, 2021-WEDNESDAY | The Art of Lip Sync | 8:00-9:00 PM | Virtual-Free
The Art of Lip Sync: Lip sync is a queer folk art and the ultimate form of drag expression. Join us for a lively discussion with the legendary John Epperson (aka Lypsinka), moderated by Drag King Maxxx Pleasure. The conversation will focus on tricks of the trade and do and don’ts, as well as personal stories and reflections.
last updated: 5/24/2021
