Discover qualified LGBTQ professionals in New York, NY across all industries and specialties. Connect with lawyers, doctors, accountants, real estate agents, therapists, and other service providers who understand your cultural background, speak your language, and are dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community with excellence and cultural sensitivity.
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.
Join Black Girls Smile for the official launch of our in-person support groups at our new community space in Restoration Plaza.
These gatherings are designed to create a sense of belonging, community, and healing, while exploring the intersection of mental health and lived experience.
Our LGBTQ+ Young Adult Support Group is a affirming space for LGBTQ+ young adults to share their experiences and support one another at the intersection of identity and mental health.
CUNY Outlaws is a student organization at the City University of New York School of Law in Long Island City, New York, dedicated to advancing public interest law and social justice. Rooted in CUNY Law's founding mission from 1983 to make legal education more affordable and to train lawyers committed to using law for social good, Outlaws represents the school's core values of equity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of justice.
The organization draws its members from CUNY Law's exceptionally diverse student body, consistently recognized among the nation's top law schools for diversity of experience, background, perspective, and thought. Students involved with Outlaws are intimately aware of how racism, discrimination, and systemic oppression affect society, and they are committed to redressing these inequities through sustained legal work.
Based in Long Island City's vibrant Queens community, CUNY Outlaws connects students with real-world opportunities to challenge injustice and transform what justice looks like. The organization benefits from CUNY Law's innovative clinical programs and partnerships with government agencies and community organizations throughout New York City. Members engage in client-facing work that develops their understanding of how law can address root causes of systemic injustice.
CUNY Outlaws embodies the school's belief that exceptional talent comes in many forms and that diverse perspectives are generators of valuable learning. The organization provides a welcoming space where law students committed to public service can build community, develop their advocacy skills, and prepare for careers dedicated to using law in service of human needs and social transformation.
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.
Cardozo OUTLaw represents the commitment of Yeshiva University's Cardozo School of Law in New York, NY to building an inclusive and supportive community for all students. As a student organization recognized and supported by the Student Bar Association, Cardozo OUTLaw contributes to the rich tapestry of student life at this respected New York institution. The organization is part of a broader student governance philosophy that prioritizes student participation, representation, and the advancement of the common good within the law school community.
Founded on principles of inclusion and community engagement, Cardozo OUTLaw operates within the Student Bar Association's framework, which is committed to protecting full freedom of assembly and expression in the university community. The organization allows students to connect with peers, participate in meaningful discussions, and contribute to the formation and improvement of the educational experience at Cardozo. By fostering a welcoming environment, Cardozo OUTLaw reflects the law school's dedication to representing the diverse and distinctive Cardozo student body and addressing the concerns of nearly 1,000 students.
Located in New York, NY, Cardozo OUTLaw is part of an institution that believes in acting in good faith and promoting the common good. The organization demonstrates the law school's commitment to creating spaces where students can thrive personally and professionally, supported by a student government structure that values effective participation and collaborative problem-solving. Through its work, Cardozo OUTLaw helps make Cardozo a better place for all students by working alongside both the administration and the broader student community.