As we embrace our 54th year at the Pride Center of the Capital Region, it's a moment for both reflection and anticipation. The past year has been a testament to resilience, growth, and community, marked by our impactful partnerships and initiatives that have broadened our reach and deepened our ability to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Our partnerships, especially with organizations not exclusively serving the LGBTQ+ community, have been pivotal. Collaborations with entities like the Colonie Senior Services Center have not only celebrated our history but have also forged new paths for inclusivity and support, particularly for our Aging with Pride group. These alliances showcase our commitment to intergenerational engagement and underscore the importance of visibility and advocacy in all spaces we inhabit.
The inaugural Pride Ski Weekend stands as a highlight, a beacon of joy and community spirit, drawing together over 200 participants in a celebration of diversity and solidarity. This event, alongside our expanding calendar of activities, underscores our mission to provide spaces for connection, celebration, and support throughout the year.
Our mental health program's success, providing over 100 hours monthly of free counseling and case management, highlights the acute need within our community, especially among transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals; over 50% of the services we provide are to folks ages 13-24, and over 50% of our clients identify as TGNCNB. This initiative is a cornerstone of our commitment to offering comprehensive support, addressing the mental health realities that we face in our community due to the experiences we have in the broader region.
Looking ahead, we face a year of challenges and opportunities. The political landscape, fraught with rhetoric and policies that threaten our rights and dignity, demands our vigilance and advocacy. Yet, it is in these times that our community's strength and solidarity shine brightest. Our focus will be on expanding our outreach, especially into rural communities, ensuring that every voice is heard and every individual feels supported.
The upcoming year is more than a series of events; it's a call to action, a demand for visibility, and a testament to the power of community. We stand on the precipice of change, ready to defend our rights, celebrate our identities, and support each other with unwavering commitment. We will end 2024 as a more safe, secure and supportive Capital Region for the queer community.
As we embark on this journey together, let us remember the power of unity, the importance of advocacy, and the indomitable spirit of the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we will navigate the challenges ahead, fortified by the bonds we share and the common goal of a more inclusive, equitable world.
Nathaniel Gray
Executive Director
Pride Center of the Capital Region
The upcoming year is more than a series of events; it's a call to action, a demand for visibility, and a testament to the power of community.
One of the most memorable moments was the Après Tea dance party, which saw an exceptional turnout of folks who registered as well as families who stayed to support the fun. This was a testament to the event's inclusive atmosphere, where individuals and families felt welcomed and celebrated. The sight of families staying back to enjoy the dance, with children and adults alike waving rainbow flags and fans, was heartwarming. The event was a huge success in creating a space where the LGBTQ+ community could enjoy company in the broader community, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging.
Partners like Belleayre Mountain and ORDA played pivotal roles in creating a safe and festive environment for all attendees.
The feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their appreciation for an event that catered specifically to the LGBTQ+ community's interests in winter sports and social activities. Many parents stopped by our table to specifically thank us for being there and being visible for their children.
The success of the inaugural Pride Ski Weekend has laid a strong foundation for future events, with plans to make it an even more extensive celebration of pride and inclusivity in 2025.
We are very excited to expand the event and want to attract even more participants and include a wider range of activities. The vision is to build upon this year's success, making the Pride Ski Weekend an essential event in the LGBTQ+ community's calendar, not just in New York State but beyond. Key partnierships with ally organizations will continue to be a cornerstone of this effort, ensuring that the event remains a vibrant, inclusive, and memorable experience for all who attend.
OUR FIRST PRIDE SKI WEEKEND!
The weekend kicked off with a sense of anticipation and excitement, as over 200 participants from diverse backgrounds gathered, making it an historic event for the LGBTQ+ community in New York State. Thanks to the collaborative efforts with organizations such as I Love NY LGBTQ+, the Ulster County Tourism Board, Big Gay Hudson Valley, and the Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Center, the event was not only a celebration of pride but also a showcase of inclusivity and partnership across the region.
SAVE THE DATE: PRIDE SEASON 2024 EDITION
- MAY 4: Kick off Pride Season with our Second Annual Transition Expo at The Blake Annex, designed for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals, service providers, and families. This comprehensive event covers gender identity awareness, insurance navigation for transition-related care, and financial planning for transitioning.
- MAY 5: Join us for the annual Rainbow Run and 2nd annual Pride Paw-rade, in partnership with the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. A day of fun, running, and strutting with your pets in colorful attire, with prizes for speed and best dressed. Event taking place at Jennings Landing.
- MAY 31: A day of celebration starting with the Albany Flag Raising at City Hall, followed by a Kickoff BBQ Block Party at the Waterworks parking lot with drag performances, a DJ, and a great family-fun vibe. Mark your calendars for a vibrant start to Pride Month.
- JUNE 8-9: Pride Weekend, in collaboration with In Our Own Voices, features BIPOC Pride on Saturday June 8th and the Capital Pride parade and festival on Sunday June 9th, encapsulating the spirit of our community and its many diverse voices.
- JUNE 14: The Alternative Prom, creating a safe and authentic space for students to enjoy their prom experience at the Blake Annex.
- AUGUST: A community discussion in collaboration with In Our Own Voices, focusing on vital topics within our community. Date and location TBA soon.
- AUGUST 24: The Aging with Pride Cruise, a special event celebrating our LGBTQ+ seniors hosted on the Captain JP in Troy. Free for anyone 55 and over!
MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. ANNE'S INSTITUTE
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering support for LGBTQ+ youth within care systems, the Pride Center of the Capital Region has joined forces with St. Anne's Institute to launch a comprehensive training program for mental health professionals. This collaborative effort, meticulously designed and led by the Pride Center's Director of Mental Health, Jen Maley-Wheeler, encompasses a series of workshops spanning six weeks, dedicated to enhancing the understanding and support of sexual orientation, gender identity, and the complex dynamics within families of LGBTQ+ youth.
The curriculum, carefully curated to address the nuanced needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, aims not only to educate but to transform the approach of caregivers and mental health professionals in supporting these youths. Topics covered in the training include the intersectionality of sexual orientation with mental health, the intricacies of gender identity, effective strategies for engaging with the families of LGBTQ+ youth, and the unique challenges faced by these individuals within systems of care.
The partnership between the Pride Center and St. Anne's Institute is a testament to their commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth. By equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to provide informed care, this initiative seeks to bridge the gap in support services available to LGBTQ+ individuals in the care system.
Moreover, the introduction of a referral program through this partnership marks a significant advancement in mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth. This program enables the Pride Center to extend its reach, offering a lifeline to those in need by connecting them with trained professionals at St. Anne's Institute. Our free mental health care program, the only of its kind in the region for the queer community, is often at capacity with a waitlist of 3-6 months. This collaboration not only enhances the quality of care available at St. Anne’s for LGBTQ+ youth, but also underscores the importance of community and nonprofit collaboration to meet the specific needs of marginalized and under-supported communities.
As this partnership continues to evolve, it represents a beacon of hope for many, promising a future where LGBTQ+ youth in care systems receive the compassionate and competent support they have every right to in New York State.
FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
REGISTER
Did you know there is a science behind kindness? Who better to give us a tutorial on this than Beekman 1802 in Sharon Springs! Join The Gloversville Library and The Pride Center in February for our Self-Love Workshop at Beekman 1802 in Sharon Springs, NY! This event will begin with a guided presentation giving us information about the science behind kindness. Each attendee will also receive some coveted Beekman 1802 merch, including their famed goat pin! You will then be able to peruse the aisles of Beekman or spend the evening grabbing a bite in quaint Sharon Springs. This is a FREE event, but capacity is limited so register TODAY!
Saturday, February 10th, 2024 / 3 pm - 4:30pm
Location: Beekman 1802, 187 Main St., Sharon Springs, NY
This event is free to all, registration is required due to capacity limits.
This month’s newsletter is proudly sponsored by COLLAR CITY PRIDE!
We’re thrilled to have Collar City Pride as our February Newsletter Sponsor! If you haven’t heard, there’s another Pride Organization forming in the Capital Region and we are here for it! Collar City Pride is hosting Troy’s first full Pride Festival this summer on July 14th. Please also join their Feb 8th, 2024 kickoff party. More info online at https://www.collarcitypride.org/
Did you know The Pride Center offers FREE mental health counseling and case management? Provided by LGBTQ+-affirming staff and interns, these essential services are open to all LGBTQ+ folks and allies, ages 10 and up.
Click HERE to find out more and make an appointment.
FREE COUNSELING & CASE MANAGEMENT
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCES
LGBTQ+ resources are not always easy to find in the Capital Region. Making sure that you are provided with safe, competent, and affirming services is something we strive for at The Pride Center. Do you have a physician you love? How about a business that always feels affirming or safe? Please share your LGBTQ+ affirming resources with us HERE!
THE PRIDE CENTER'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AND MONTHLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS ARE ALSO LINKED BELOW FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF PRINTING THE CONTENT.
We encourage our fellow community service providers to print copies of the monthly newsletter and calendar to make available at resource tables and bookstands in their space.
PRINTABLE NEWSLETTER
PRINTABLE CALENDAR
Your contributions enable us to continue delivering services and support to the LGBTQ+ community in the Capital Region and beyond.
Thank you for your tireless support!
