Pride Month 2023 at LaGuardia Community College Features Live Performances, Lectures and Celebration, Beginning May 26


LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (May 25, 2023)
— LaGuardia Community College/CUNY is an inclusive institution that celebrates the many ways that make members of our community unique. Every year the college marks Pride Month with numerous activities and shows of unity for the LGBTQIA+ community and its many allies.

“LaGuardia is proud to be one of the few CUNY campuses with a fully staffed LGBTQIA+ center providing student support and resources. We also have a coalition of faculty and staff, Lavender LaGuardia, advocating for and mentoring LGBTQIA+ students. Additionally, LaGuardia is home to the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, which houses the largest LGBTQIA+ collection on LGBTQ history in Queens and is a partner in the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, which supports and funds LGBTQIA+ training, education, and programming throughout the entire CUNY system,” said Nathan Tosh, program coordinator of LaGuardia’s The Women’s Center and LGBTQIA Safe Zone Hub. “This Pride, through the numerous events happening at LaGuardia and throughout the city, we are excited to highlight queer joy in a political climate that can be quite divisive, all while showcasing resources available to the LGBTQIA+ community and educating the public about who we are.”

Happenings on the docket for 2023 Pride Month include the following events—mark your calendars and register today!

Conversation with Lorraine Avila
Lorraine Avila, author of “The Making of Yolanda la Bruja,” will visit with Casa de las Américas to talk about their writing career, their book, and creating queer characters. For more information, contact casa@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Friday, May 26, 12–2 p.m. | Online (Zoom) 

Queens-Wide Lavender Graduation Celebration on May 26
Members of the Class of 2023 of LaGuardia Community College, Queens College, York College, Queensborough Community College, and CUNY Law School will celebrate LGBTQIA+ undergraduate and graduate students allies at the 2023 CUNY Queens Lavender Graduation Celebration. The event will take place on May 26 at Queens College’s Music School Atrium. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz are expected to be in attendance. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. followed by a reception. For more information, contact Nathan Tosh at ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu or JC Carlson at JC.Carlson@qc.cuny.edu.

Friday, May 26, 2–4 p.m. | Queens College Music School Atrium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd. Queens, NY 11367

2023 LGBTQ+ BUSINESS CONVENING
The 2023 LGBTQ+ Business Convening will celebrate the of power entrepreneurship to amplify diversity within the business world. The event is organized by the Office of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, and TD Bank, and will be hosted at LaGuardia Community College. Sponsors include the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Schneps Media, Gay City News, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.  The 2023 LGBTQ+ Business Convening conference is an opportunity to network with over 600 LGBTQ+ and allied business professionals and entrepreneurs. At six breakout panels, attendees will hear from experts in the areas of law, finance, business development, marketing, entrepreneurship, diversity, equity, and more. An Expo will feature 20 New York State and New York City agencies that regulate small businesses, seven chambers of commerce and business associations, as well the chance to network with LGBTQ+ and allied business people and entrepreneurs starting up new ventures. To register, and for the schedule of activities, speakers list, and additional information about sponsors, click here. There is no cost to attend this conference. With questions, please contact Claudia Chan at clchan@lagcc.cuny.edu

Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | LaGuardia Community College, E-Building, 31-10 Thomson Ave., LIC, Queens

Queens Heroes: A Theatrical Performance
An open-air theater production inspired by our neighbors doing extraordinary things. Featuring stories inspired by Hank Carter, Bianey Garcia, and Jonathan Isla Rampagoa. Presented by the LaGuardia Theater Program and the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. This program is made possible by support from the New York City Council, Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, and Council Member Shekar Krishnan (District 25). Three performance dates.

Thursday, June 1, 2:30–3:15 p.m. | LaGuardia’s Cobblestone Courtyard
Wednesday, June 7, 6–6:45 p.m. | Queensbridge Park, 41st Road and 40th Avenue between Vernon Blvd. and 21st St. in Long Island City, Queens.
Tuesday, June 13, 6–6:45 p.m. | Travers Park, Jackson Heights, 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets

LGBTQ+ Short Film Program
The event will showcase student-made short films inspired by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives LGBTQ+ Collection. Presented by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. Register to attend here. Free popcorn!

Thursday, June 1, 7–8:30 p.m. | C-103 (C-Building, 29-10 Thomson Ave., LIC)

Reading & Signing with Bushra Rehman
Bushra Rehman, author of “Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion,” will visit with Casa de las Américas to speak on their writing career, their book, and writing queer characters. For more information, contact casa@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Friday, June 2, 12–2 p.m. | E-111 (E-Building, 31-10 Thomson Ave., LIC)

Drag Me to LaGuardia
Kick of Pride Month with Drag Show hosted in E-111! Enjoy the talents of New York legends Jacqueline Dupree, Myster E Mel Kiki, and Svetlana Stoli. This event is open to the public—friends and family welcome. Register for this event here. For more information, contact Nathan Tosh at ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Friday, June 2, 5–7 p.m. | E-111 (E-Building, 31-10 Thomson Ave., LIC)

Representing CUNY at the 2023 Queens Pride Parade
LaGuardia students, faculty, and staff are invited to join the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, a contingent comprised of students, faculty, staff from CUNY schools throughout the five boroughs of NYC, marching together and celebrating Pride at the 2023 Queens Pride Parade, which travels down 37th Avenue (from 89th Street to 75th Street) in Jackson Heights, Queens. An afternoon street festival in the neighborhood (on 37th Road) follows the parade, featuring live music, DJs, drag performances, local vendors and more. Anyone interested in showing their Pride or allegiance with the LGBTQIA+ community are invited to register to march today. Marchers will receive a commemorative Queens Pride t-shirt!

The CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, directed by Jaquelyn Brashears (Allie), associate professor of biology and director of the LGBTQ+ Programs at LaGuardia and JC Carlson, Associate Director at Queens College, will serve as Grand Marshals of the annual Queens Pride. “This is an honor for us,” said Dr. Brashears. “The CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium was selected due to its outstanding work changing the lives of students, faculty, and staff throughout the university system through LGBTQIA+ programs, initiatives, and projects.” The Consortium will lead the parade alongside JC Carlson Associate Director of Queens College, NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Council Member Linda Lee, Council Member Lynn Schulman, and Council Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers. For more information, contact Nathan Tosh at ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Sunday, June 4, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | 37th Avenue & 89th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens

Pride Day at the LaGuardia Greenway
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride with a variety of color, culture, and cuisine. Learn about LGBTQIA+ programs and community organizations available to help you celebrate your uniqueness. Activities will include food vendors, live music, exhibition tables, and workshops. Open to LaGuardia students, faculty, staff, and the New York City community. All are welcome! Event partners include the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, The Women’s Center, the LGBTQIA Safe Zone Hub, and Lavender LaGuardia. It is part of the LaGuardia Community Greenway, a series of free, outdoor public events on eight Wednesdays in April, May, and June, in Long Island City, Queens. New York City’s Open Streets and the Department of Transportation are partners in the series. For more information, contact Nayelli Valencia Turrent at nvalenciaturrent@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 12–4 p.m. | The Plaza, a closed-to-traffic stretch of 29th Street from Skillman Avenue to 47th Avenue (next to the C-Building) in Long Island City, Queens

CUNY Pridefest at Queens College
CUNY students, faculty, and staff from all 25 schools in all five boroughs will celebrate their PRIDE in-person at Queens College. The Pride Festival, in its sixth year, is open to the public and will include: a celebratory march—wave your flags, bring your school banners, wear your college swag, and make some noise. Drag numbers, band performances, vogue dancers, games, and more on the main stage. DJ dancing. Arts, crafts, and fun activities. FREE CUNY Pridefest t-shirts and commemorative PRIDE flags, and additional giveaways. An expo area where attendees can meet organizations serving the LGBTQIA+ community. Face painters, a stilt walker, photo ops and more. Join the fun on June 9th and show PRIDE… CUNY style!

CUNY Pridefest is made possible through the generous support of the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium in partnership with the New York City Council, Queens College, LaGuardia Community College, and Vishnick, McGovern Milizio, Attorneys at Law. Register for this event here. CUNY ID or valid government-issued ID is required to access the Queens College campus. For more information, contact Nathan Tosh at ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Friday, June 9, 2023, 12–4 p.m. | The Quad at Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard Queens, NY 11367

CUNY Marches in Brooklyn Pride
Join the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, a contingent comprised of students, faculty, staff from CUNY schools throughout the five boroughs of NYC, marching together and celebrating Pride at this annual evening march in Brooklyn. Show your Pride with CUNY and register to march today. For more information, contact Nathan Tosh at ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Saturday, June 10, 6:30–10 p.m. | 5th Avenue & Lincoln Place Brooklyn, NY 11217

Queens Pride Day Celebration
A collaboration between the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) and the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. This program is made possible by the generous funding from the New York City Council Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual Caucus, and the Office of the Mayor, and is supported by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. Register for this event here.

Wednesday, June 14, 5–9 p.m.
5-7 p.m. | Courtyard | Party with DJ SamO | Food and beverages
7:30–9 p.m. | Little Theater | Staged reading created by community engaged theater-makers from Ping Chong and Company, based on and adapted from the interviews in LaGuardia/Wagner’s LGBTQ archives. Followed by a short dance performance by Alberto Denis honoring those lost to gun violence from Pulse in Orlando. The celebration will conclude in the lobby with Singing Drag Diva Jackie Dupree.

CUNY Marches in NYC Pride
Join LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff, and the folks who support them, at this year’s NYC Pride March. The group will march through the streets of Manhattan and be UNAPOLOGETICALLY themselves. Bring your Pride and your school’s banner. CUNY will provide t-shirts and commemorative CUNY Pride flags! Register for this event here. For more information, contact Nathan Tosh at ntosh@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Sunday, June 25, 1–7 p.m. | East 26th Street & 5th Avenue New York, NY 10001

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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 degrees and certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to educate New Yorkers seeking new skills and careers. As an institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of underserved populations. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students while providing them with access to a high quality, affordable college education.

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