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A curatorial conversation with Lee Sessions, Karen Jaime, C. Ondine Chavoya and David Evans Frantz
In conjunction with Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art, this curatorial talk brings exhibition curators C. Ondine Chavoya and David Evans Frantz into dialogue with Karen Jaime, historian and Associate Professor of Performing and Media Arts and Latina/o Studies at Cornell University, moderated by Permanent Collections Associate Curator at El Museo del Barrio Lee Sessions.
The galleries will remain open for extended evening hours, giving visitors time to experience the exhibition before and after the conversation.
Moving between the queer Chicane communities and cultural spaces of Los Angeles and histories of Latine life in New York, the conversation will consider how bars, clubs, streets, homes, and artistic networks become spaces for gathering and exchange. Together, the panelists ask: What happens when queer people make space for one another, and what kinds of art, politics, relationships, and communities become possible within those spaces?
A reception will follow the conversation.
Co-presented by El Museo del Barrio and Independent Curators International.
There is simply nothing like PolyEsther; just ask any of the 800 guests from last year's sold-out party. This year we are going queerer, kookier, & kinkier. That means we are partnering with House of Yes in Brooklyn to throw the largest and most epic Queer Purim Party for All.
Come through the looking glass and experience two huge dance floors, immersive performances in every corner, and a Purim wonderland where you definitely won't be able to tell the difference between Esther and Mordechai! Craving a Bris Station / Circumcision Salad bar? We got you. How about a Drag Shtreimel Petting Zoo? We got that. Crazy costumes are advised, but there will be makeup and masquerade corners for last minute makeovers. Of course, for anyone too uptight, there will be plenty of poppers.
Purim is the ancient Jewish holiday where getting drunk, high, and silly is the main commandment. This year it falls on a Monday night, which means you might want to already call in late for work on Tuesday. Tuesdays come every week, Purim is once a year. Don't miss out.
The Blackyard Collective “Black Love” Gala — Celebrating 10 Years of Black Queer & Trans Recovery**
Join us for an unforgettable evening of elegance, joy, and liberation as The Blackyard Collective commemorates a decade of Black queer and trans recovery, resilience, and community care. For ten years, BYC has created Black space, cultivated Black connections, and conjured Black joy—trailblazing a community where our stories matter, our brilliance is centered, and our healing is sacred.
This year’s Mardi Gras–themed Gala invites you into a world of color, celebration, and Black queer magic. Think feathers, beads, bold glam, and all the vibrancy that Mardi Gras traditions offer—from pageantry to second-line spirit. Expect a night overflowing with culture, rhythm, and unapologetic abundance.
Hosted at The Center, this formal celebration welcomes guests to embody Mardi Gras elegance in Black & Gold attire, honoring both New Orleans pageantry and BYC’s tenth-anniversary glow-up.
The Gala also serves as a fundraiser for the 2026 BYC National Conference, the first-ever international gathering dedicated to Black queer and trans recovery. Your presence, your contribution, and your spirit help ensure that this historic convening becomes a transformative space for hundreds across the diaspora.
Event Highlights
Mardi Gras–themed celebration of Black queer & trans brilliance
Performances, tributes, and reflections honoring 10 years of BYC
Black & Gold masquerade moments, photo ops, and festive elegance
Community social hour, dancing, and decadent celebration
Opportunities to support the 2026 National Conference
Tickets
In-Person Tickets:
$50 • $75 • $100
(Sliding scale – all proceeds benefit the 2026 BYC National Conference)
Virtual Attendee Ticket:
$25
(Join the celebration online and support BYC from wherever you are!)
Come dressed in your finest Mardi Gras glam.
Come ready to celebrate Black love in all its abundance.
Come ready to continue creating Black space, building Black connections, and spreading Black joy.
The Blackyard Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (Federal Tax ID # 88-3641425) and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Michael has practiced for 20 years as a licensed clinical social worker, and holds licenses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. He works with adults facing anxiety, depression, substance use, challenging medical conditions, and life transitions — including the LGBTQ+ community, and active-duty service members and their families. His approach is client-centered, holistic, and culturally sensitive, drawing on a variety of therapeutic methods to fit each person's goals. He has extensive experience working with gay men across identity, relationships, coming out, and the unique stressors gay men may face.
OUTLaws is a student organization at Brooklyn Law School located in Brooklyn, NY, representing the law school's deep commitment to access, inclusion, and diversity that has defined the institution since its founding in 1901. The organization embodies Brooklyn Law School's mission of creating a welcoming community for all students while fostering meaningful connections and professional growth within the legal profession.
Brooklyn Law School has been a pioneer in legal education for over 124 years, building a legacy of excellence through innovative programs designed to meet the evolving demands of the legal world. The school's faculty members are recognized leaders in their fields, whose scholarship and advocacy have influenced diverse areas of law and legal reform. This commitment to excellence extends to the student experience, with comprehensive support systems including financial aid, with 89.2% of students receiving some form of financial assistance based on eligibility and need.
The law school's vibrant community is strengthened by its diverse student body representing 42 states and seven countries, creating a rich learning environment that prepares students for careers in an increasingly globalized legal profession. Brooklyn Law School's downtown Brooklyn location places students in the heart of one of New York City's most dynamic neighborhoods, offering unparalleled access to legal practitioners, courts, and professional networks.
OUTLaws operates within this inclusive ecosystem, providing students with community, advocacy, and professional development opportunities. The organization reflects Brooklyn Law School's institutional values of diversity and belonging, supporting students as they navigate law school and prepare for careers that make a difference. With an alumni network spanning 50 countries and representing diverse sectors including business, government, nonprofits, and public interest law, OUTLaws members join a legacy of lawyers committed to excellence and service.
The Ms. Foundation for Women stands as a vital force for social justice in Brooklyn, NY, driven by a profound belief in women's collective power to transform society. Founded on the conviction that equity and inclusion form the foundation of true democracy, the organization invests in and strengthens women-led movements working toward meaningful change across the nation. Based in Brooklyn, the Ms. Foundation for Women recognizes that every person's worth and dignity must be valued in creating a just and safe world.
With deep roots in the Brooklyn community and national reach, the Ms. Foundation for Women partners with women-led organizations to advance social, cultural, and economic progress. The foundation's values reflect a commitment to breaking down barriers that limit opportunity based on gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age. By centering the voices and leadership of women most impacted by inequality, the Ms. Foundation for Women creates pathways for systemic change. This Brooklyn-based organization believes that building women's power is essential to achieving equity and justice for all, making it a cornerstone institution for those committed to democratic values and inclusive progress.