IOOV Unity Through Diversity LGBTQ+ BIPOC National Health Conference

INTRODUCTION 

UNITY THROUGH 

DIVERSITY 

Unity Through Diversity: The Power of Unity 

is a biennial health, wellness, and capacitybuilding 

national conference for LGBTQIA+ Black, 

Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The 

focus of the 2023 conference is “The Power of 

Unity,” and its purpose is to lift up the voices of 

LGBTQIA+ BIPOC communities, while promoting 

social justice, healthy sexuality, violence-free living, 

social activism, and safer spaces. As In Our Own 

Voices celebrates its 25th year of strengthening 

and empowering our communities, we look 

forward to making this Unity Through Diversity 

the most impactful one yet. 

Our collective liberation and personal freedom 

lies within a political unity that goes beyond 

the constraints of gender and sexuality. Unity 

Through Diversity: The Power of Unity brings you 

conversations towards a more holistic, inclusive, 

and intersectional movement that includes 

advocating for economic justice by recognizing 

that not all LGBTQIA+ BIPOC face the same 

oppression and marginalization. Increasing access 

to basic needs, education, healthcare, housing, 

and employment must be struggles in which 

we all engage. Equity, racial, social, gender and 

economic justice must be our overarching goals. 

We accept legal equality as a necessary first step 

in the struggle for social justice but it, alone, is 

not justice. At a time when LGBTQIA+ protections 

at the legislative and judicial levels are quickly 

shrinking. LGBTQIA+ BIPOC communities face the 

compound effect of being doubly marginalized– 

our struggle is far from over. Throughout the years 

we have lost family and community members 

to hate crimes, HIV/AIDS, suicide, bullying, 

the criminal legal system, and homelessness. 

Additionally, the disproportionate incarceration 

rates among People of Color, particularly among 

the Black community, and the racial profiling that 

is so prevalent in our society continues to put the 

safety of our most vulnerable communities at risk. 

We must heal from historical trauma and 

internalized oppression in order to support each 

other and promote LGBTQIA+ BIPOC leadership. 

There is power in unity, and our power depends 

on our unity. Without it, issues that affect our 

communities are left in the hands of those who 

are the most distant and disconnected from our 

issues and the disparities we face. 

We must address that which divides us in order to 

embrace that which unites us. We must 

channel our unified power in order to increase our 

visibility and voice. We must build the just 

society we envision. We must organize. We must 

lead. 

As LGBTQIA+ BIPOC, we have the power to heal, to 

organize, and to deliver a unified voice. Together, 

we can identify, own, and be transparent 

about our need for personal, community, and 

institutional power. We invite you to claim your 

space, your voice, your community, your power. 

UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY 2023 1

TABLE OF 

CONTENTS 

3 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO 

4 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 

5 

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE 

6 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

7 

8 

HOTEL FLOOR PLAN 

OUR PRESENTERS + WHOVA APP 

9 

THURSDAY WORKSHOPS 

11 

FRIDAY WORKSHOPS 

15 

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS 

19 

SPIRITUALITY TOWN HALL 

20 

21 

22 

ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES 

HIV TESTING INFORMATION 

A SPECIAL THANK YOU 

Get the most out of your 

conference experience by 

joining us on Whova, our 

official event app! 

23 

OUR VENDORS 

24 

OUR SPONSORS 

25 

HALLOWEEN UNITY HOUSE BALL & PAGEANT 

2 

UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY 2023

A MESSAGE 

FROM OUR 

CEO 

Tandra LaGrone 

Dear Attendees, 

Welcome to the 2023 Unity Through Diversity: The Power of Unity Health Conference for LGBTQIA+ Black, 

Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, hosted by In Our Own Voices, Inc. (IOOV). 

IOOV is one of a few organizations nationwide, and the only organization in our region, that provides 

comprehensive services with a focus on the health and wellness of LGBTQIA+ BIPOC communities. 

In our 25 years of operation, IOOV has grown from small, grassroots beginnings into a full-fledged 

organization serving over 600,000 individuals both locally and nationally. We work to ensure the health 

and well-being of our communities through advocacy and education, anti-violence programs, community 

organizing, social events, and support groups. 

In 2008, IOOV hosted its first LGBTQIA+ BIPOC Health Summit. Over 150 scholars, health practitioners, 

administrators, and students gathered for this important event to reflect on the status of healthy living, 

substance use, spirituality, and political advocacy in our communities. The summit featured presentations, 

workshops, and panel discussions on the importance of meaningful involvement of LGBTQIA+ BIPOC and 

vulnerable subpopulations. 

Today, Unity Through Diversity Conferences continue to provide a safe space for LGBTQIA+ BIPOC 

communities and our allies to examine health and social disparities and to identify future strategies that can 

be implemented for our collective liberation. 

It is my hope that identified strategies will serve as the basis for future funding, therefore strengthening 

our communities’ capacity to develop leadership, combat oppression and marginalization, and effectively 

communicate our perspectives within the larger LGBTQIA+ movement. 

Again, welcome, and I look forward to engaging with you during this year’s health conference and creating 

positive outcomes. 

In Unity, 

Tandra R. LaGrone 

Chief Executive Officer | In Our Own Voices, Inc. 

In Our Own Voices, Inc. 

Our mission is to work for and ensure the physical, mental, spiritual, political, cultural, and economic 

survival and growth of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people of color communities. 

245 Lark St., Albany, NY 12210 

Phone: (518) 432-4188 

Fax: (518) 432-4123 

info@inourownvoices.org 

UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY 2023 

3

KEYNOTE 

ADDRESS 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26 TH AT 9 AM 

ALOK 

ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed 

author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a 

mixed-media artist, their work explores themes of 

trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They 

are the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the 

Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound/My Garden 

(2021) and the creator of #DeGenderFashion: an 

initiative to degender fashion and beauty industries. 

In recognition of their work, they have been honored 

as the inaugural LGBTQ Scholar in Residence at the 

University of Pennsylvania and awarded a GLAAD Media 

Award and Stonewall Foundation Visionary Award. 

Over the past decade, they have toured in more than 

40 countries, most recently selling out their runs at the 

Soho Theatre in London, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 

and the Kennedy Performing Arts Center. Their show 

has been described as “provocative and powerful” 

(CHORTLE), a “potent combination of comedy and 

poetry” (THE SCOTSMAN), and a “Jaw-dropping celestial 

event” (TO DO LIST LONDON). On screen, they will 

make their feature film debut in Absolute Dominion 

opposite Patton Oswalt and next can be seen in Emmie 

Lichtenberg’s film Complicated Order opposite Midori 

Francis that premiered at OutFest Film Festival in July 

2023. On television, they can next be seen in the third 

season of the critically acclaimed MAX series SORT OF 

opposite Bilal Baig. They have also appeared on Hulu’s 

Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, ABC’s PRIDE: To Be 

Seen – A Soul of A Nation, Netflix’s Getting Curious 

with Jonathan Van Ness, HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness 

and The Trans List. 

4 


SCHEDULE 

AT A GLANCE 

Wednesday, October 25th 

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Registration (East Gallery) 

Thursday, October 26, 2023 

7:30 AM - 7:30 PM Registration (East Gallery) 

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast (East Gallery) 

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ALOK Keynote (Governor AB) 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ALOK Book Signing (Governor AB) 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Networking & Coffee Break 

(East Gallery) 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch (East Gallery) 

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM Workshops: Session 1* 

2:45 PM - 4:15 PM Afternoon Snack (East Gallery) 


5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Opening Reception 

(Hudson Ballroom) Sponsored by Hilton Albany 

8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Talent Show (Hudson Ballroom) 

Friday, October 27, 2023 


9:15 AM - 10:30 AM Workshops: Session 1* 

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Coffee Break (East Gallery) 

10:45 AM - 12:00 Healing Roundtable (Governor AB) 

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Lunch Presentation by Gilead 

(East Gallery / Governor AB) 




6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Game Night (Governor AB) 

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Happy Hour Reception at 

Waterworks Pub (76 Central Ave, Albany) 

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM PrEP Aware Week Drag Bingo 

(Governor AB) 

Saturday, October 28, 2023 


9:15 AM - 10:30 AM Workshops: Session 1* 

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM Coffee Break (East Gallery) 

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Taking Action Roundtable 

(Governor AB) 

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Lunch (East Gallery) 




3:15 PM - 5:15 PM TGNC Panel (Chambers) 

9:00 PM - 1:00 AM Halloween Ball & Pageant 

(Governor Ballroom) 

Sunday, October 29, 2023 

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Breakfast (Chambers) 

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM LGBTQIA+ and Spirituality Town Hall (Chambers) 

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Closing Circle (Chambers) 

*See the Whova App or 

pages 9-18 in this booklet 

for workshop locations 


5

GENERAL 

INFORMATION 

Welcoming All Hospitality Room | Empire A Meals 

The planning committee for 

Unity Through Diversity has 

worked hard to make this 

health conference welcoming 

and accessible to all 

attendees. In the spirit of Unity 

Through Diversity, please help 

us create an atmosphere at 

the conference where all 

people are welcome and 

respected. Be inclusive of 

attendees' identities, abilities, 

and self-expression. 

Assistance & 

Emergency Contacts 

In Our Own Voices, Inc., staff 

members and Unity Through 

Diversity volunteers will be 

available if you require 

assistance at any time during 

the conference. Please speak to staff 

at the registration booth in East 

Gallery if assistance is needed. 

Timeliness 

Unity Through Diversity has 

many important and 

interesting workshops, panels 

and other presentations. In 

order for the health 

conference to run smoothly 

and for attendees to get the 

most out of it, it is important 

that individuals are punctual. 

Smoking & 

Vaping Areas 

The Hilton Albany does not 

allow smoking or vaping in 

meeting areas or hotel rooms. 

Please only smoke in designated 

smoking areas. If you are 

unsure, please ask a Hilton Albany 

staff member for assistance. 

During the conference, there will be a 

designated hotel room for 

participants to access 24/7. The room 

will contain beverages, snacks, and 

games, among other items. All snacks 

and beverages provided are free, with 

specialty non-alcoholic beverages 

sponsored by Sans Bar. 

Healing Room | Capital AB 

The healing room is available from 9 

AM - 5 PM. This is a space to 

decompress and heal, whether on 

your own or in a small group guided 

by our healing room facilitator, Brisa Galarza. 

You may drop in at any time and spend 

as much or as little time as you would 

like. A schedule of guided 

activities throughout the conference 

can be found in the room. 

Art Room | State A 

The art room is available from 9 AM - 

5 PM. This is a space to express 

yourself, channel your creativity, and 

let your artistic energy be free in a 

number of ways, including painting, 

drawing, collage making, and more. 

You may drop in at any time and 

spend as much or as little time as 

you would like. A schedule of 

guided activities throughout the 

conference can be found in the room. 

Counseling Room | State B 

The counseling room is available from 

9 AM - 5 PM. This is a safe, confidential 

space to receive support from 

counselors around anything that may 

come up, including triggers, a need 

for disclosure, or simply to connect 

with someone to process new or 

challenging information. 

HIV / Hep C Testing | Empire B 

Free, confidential HIV/Hep C testing is 

available from 9 AM - 5 PM. To 

register for a slot, visit the registration 

booth in East Gallery and speak to a 

Unity Through Diversity staff member 

at the desk. 

Registration includes breakfast 

and lunch. Snacks will be available 

throughout the weekend. Dinner 

will not be provided. 

Photography 

In order to document this special 

event, conference staff and volunteers 

will be photographing individuals in 

workshops and activities throughout 

the health conference. By registering 

for Unity Through Diversity, attendees 

are consenting to being 

photographed and/or videotaped by 

conference staff unless they are 

wearing a red lanyard. As an attendee, 

please do not photograph or 

videotape any fellow attendees with 

red lanyards unless given direct 

consent. If you have any questions or 

concerns, please speak to staff at the 

registration booth in East Gallery. 

Name Tags 

Please wear your Unity Through 

Diversity name tag at all times. 

Your name tag is your pass to all 

workshops, presentations, dining 

areas and events for the duration 

of the conference. If your name 

tag becomes lost, please report 

immediately to the registration 

desk with your photo ID to receive 

a new name tag. 

Meet-Ups 

In addition to Workshops and 

Roundtables, we encourage 

attendees to participate in 

organized Meet-ups, which act as 

small-group discussions for topics 

that may not have been covered in 

depth in longer sessions or act as 

a continuation of those sessions. 

Meet-ups are independently 

organized by attendees and speakers 

outside of the official conference 

schedule, but we encourage all 

attendees to participate in any 

Meet-ups that interest them. 

To see the full list of Meet-ups, check 

the "Community" segment in the 

Whova app. 

6 


HOTEL 

FLOOR PLAN 

UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY 2023 7

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS 

DOWNLOAD THE WHOVA APP 

Learn more about our 2023 Unity Through Diversity presenters 

by visiting their speaker profiles on Whova, our official event app! 

Scan the QR code below to see this year’s list of speakers: 

Get the most out of your conference experience by 

joining us on Whova, our official event app! 

NAVIGATE the event agenda and logistics, even without Wi-Fi or data. Access 

useful information like ridesharing and local attractions through the Community 

Board 

NETWORK effectively. Plan whom to meet by exploring attendee profiles and 

sending out messages 

PARTICIPATE in event activities and evaluate conference workshops and 

presentations. Paper evaluations will only be available upon request. 

Scan the QR code below to download Whova now: 

8 



OCTOBER 26, 2023 

1:15PM - 2:45PM 

Advocacy 

and Public 

Policy 

Chambers 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor C 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor D 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Governor E 

Advocacy Strategies to Advance Access to Health Care 

Allie Bohm, Vladimir Tlali, Lauren Galloway 

Audience: Open to all 

2023 has seen a record number of political and legislative actions across the country targeting necessary genderaffirming 

health care and resources for transgender people, especially trans youth – even threatening to separate 

trans youth from supportive families. These attacks exist among ongoing systemic challenges that have resulted in 

pervasive health disparities for LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly TGNCNBI people. 

In this session, presenters will provide an overview of the state of LGBTQIA+ health care in the United States, 

including the difficulties LGBTQIA+ individuals face when accessing care. Participants will walk away with skills and 

specific tactics to advance supportive policies, including foci on coalition building and other relationship building, 

power mapping, and strategic messaging and communications that were used successfully in New York State 

to pass legislation expanding access to health care, as well as in ongoing legislative campaigns to build on these 

successes and expand access to care further. Presenters will also share legislative and administrative policy ideas 

and language that may be transferable to various political environments and opportunities to get involved in New 

York-specific campaigns. 

Transcending Inclusivity: Providing a better understanding of the LGBTQQAAAIP2S+ Community 

with an In-Depth Look at Trans and Gender Divergent Individuals 

Misty Eyez Alicea, EMBA, CSSGB 


Get ready to broaden your perspective on the entire LGBTQQAAAIP2S community and dive deeper into a better 

understanding of transgender and Gender Divergent individuals! Join us for this highly interactive training that will 

give you a comprehensive overview of the gender spectrum, gender identity, and the rich history and diverse life 

experiences of trans individuals. 

During this workshop, you’ll learn practical skills that will enable you to better serve this unique population by 

gaining a better understanding of the transgender community. Walk away feeling confident in your ability to 

relate better to LGBTQ coworkers and students and to effectively address transgender issues with a greater depth 

of knowledge and insight. Take advantage of the opportunity to expand your understanding and become a more 

inclusive and informed community member! 

A Moment to Move for Change, Healing, and Advocacy 

Hettie Barnhill 

Audience: Closed group for QTBIPOC (Queer and Trans BIPOC) 

This is an interactive session combining narrative, movement, and thoughtful discussion, fostering an atmosphere 

of inclusivity and understanding. Participants will embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and advocacy, 

delving into their strengths and boundaries. 

The Workshop Includes: 

• Interactive Art Creation: A collaborative platform where participants voice their experiences, aspirations, and 

concerns through various artistic mediums. 

• Tailored Movement Sessions: Participants will immerse in movement sessions addressing salient social issues. 

Prior dance knowledge is not a prerequisite; an open heart suffices. 

• Focused Discussions: Post-movement reflections will delve into the intricate social topics explored, nurturing 

personal growth and collective understanding. 

Culturally Competent/Specific Care for Queer BIPOC Victims of Intimate Partner Violence 

Dinyar Mehta 


This workshop is intended to empower audience members with psychoeducation, engagement, interaction, and 

BIPOC survivor-specific tools that can be deployed in the service of Queer BIPOC Victims of Intimate Partner 

Violence. 


9



3:00PM – 4:30PM 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Chambers 

Advocacy 

and Public 

Policy 

Governor C 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Governor D 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor E 

Planned Parenthood Transgender and Behavioral Healthcare Services Panel 

Bree Samson, PA-C, Director of Clinical Services Gender Affirming Care Program Director 

Madeline McQuail, M.S., LMSW Behavioral Healthcare Manager 

Meredith Goldstein, LMSW Behavioral Healthcare Manager 


Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood will provide an overview of our services to the LGBTQIA community, including 

educating on the informed-consent model we utilize for all our services, including care for transgender and gender 

non-conforming patients. We will discuss our commitment to improve how transgender people receive health care 

in our region and our work to eliminate barriers to care. 

Strategies to Support Latin@ LGBTQ+ Survivors of Gender-Based Violence 

Patricia Emmanuelli, Cynthia Zapata 


Esperanza United, a culturally specific national resource center, mobilizes Latina and Latin@ communities to end 

gender-based violence. We recognize that services addressing gender-based violence, especially intimate partner 

violence, must support our communities confronting the most significant barriers to care. Latin@ LGBTQ+ Survivors 

face unique circumstances in accessing services, such as immigration factors, limited language access, and social 

oppression such as “being outed” by others. In a study, 42% of Latinx LGBTQ participants reported that they 

experienced physical or sexual assault in adulthood (Wilson et al., 2021). 

Individuals working with Latin@ LGBTQ+ Survivors must be equipped with culturally responsive trauma-informed 

care strategies, such as safety planning to improve health outcomes for Latin@ LGBTQ+ Survivors. Safety planning 

is a tool to support the safety and well-being of Latin@ LGBTQ+ Survivors while also uplifting their autonomy in 

decision-making. Through this training, audience members such as service providers, advocates, and community 

leaders will work through a scenario to identify strengths and barriers for Latin@ LGBTQ+ and practice and refine 

safety planning skills. 

Creating Cultures of Wellness to Support BIPOC LGBTQ+ Identifying Individuals in Recovery 

Shantalee Martinez 


Culture, identity, & family support are at the core of mental health & well-being for BIPOC LGBTQ+ identifying 

individuals. Cultures & communities influence our definitions of health and the acceptability of mental health 

support. Identities of belonging to minoritized communities (BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, etc.) shape our mental 

health experiences, including the level of support received from loved ones and access & barriers to care when 

intersecting stressors of being BIPOC and LGBTQ+ compound, mental health recovery is even more challenging to 

navigate, especially when not fully graced by family support. 

Forward Program 

Meiline Belmont, Leonard Tyndall 


TGNC immigrant BIPOC, especially undocumented immigrants, receive far fewer services to prepare them for the 

formal workforce. Poor social support, lack of professional resources, and a lifetime of stress from experiencing 

systemic discrimination complicate job entry/re-entry. In 2014, the Ford Foundation reported that undocumented 

trans people experience the highest rates of physical and sexual assault in the workplace, 25% and 19%, respectively. 

To address the disparity in formal workforce development, Translatinx Network will present a workshop on the 

Forward Program, our most extended peer-led program for TGNC immigrant BIPOC living in NYC. Available in 

Spanish and English, the Forward Program works with community members, the majority undocumented, to 

accomplish the following: meet with pro bono attorneys for their immigration cases, receive incentivized workforce 

development training with one-on-one resume assistance, conduct peer outreach for HIV prevention, be assisted 

with immigration/identification documents and obtain reimbursement, and meet with peer counselors regularly for 

peer support and career coaching. The program has existed for seven years, providing intakes to an average of 120 

community members annually and hosting 20 cycles of TGNC Leadership Space. Presenters will speak about their 

experiences as participants and staff of the Forward Program. 

10 




9:15 AM - 10:30 AM 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Chambers 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor C 

Mentorship as Wellness 

TJ Wright, Josh Odam, Michael Roberson, Kenya Hutton, Frank Leon-Roberts 

Audience: Closed session for YMSM (Young Men who have Sex with Men), age 16-29 

Demystifying, deconstructing, and redefining mentorships for young MSM of color. 

Queering the Data: The 2021 LGBT HHS Statewide Needs Assessment 

Louisa Benarbane, John Guidry 


Administrators of the New York State LGBT Health and Human Services Network will be presenting the results of the 

2021 LGBT HHS Statewide Needs Assessment. This presentation will also be given alongside John Guidry, the CEO 

of TRX Development Solutions, the Network’s main consultants in the survey’s execution and data collection. The 

assessment results not only elucidate issues across different populations and demographics of LGBTQ+ folks around 

New York State but help identify solutions and needed services as they vary across communities and regions. 

Participants will be given snapshots of different communities and their needs as they vary across the state, as well as 

an introduction to how data and data interpretation can be used by service providers, stakeholders, and community 

members to help create needs-based solutions to the issues that face our community. 

Advocacy 

and Public 

Policy 

Governor D 

Pathways to Permanency: Dismantling Foster Care’s Pipelines 

Ariel Bustamante 


Nationally, LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented in child welfare systems, the juvenile justice system, 

mental health systems, and among youth experiencing homelessness/displacement. Utilizing evidence-informed 

strategies developed through our research project with the Willliam’s Institute, we will discuss and challenge the 

barriers and outcomes LGBTQ+ youth of color face in systems of care, with an emphasis on child welfare. Blending 

community organizing, grassroots advocacy, and social work disciplines, participants will gain the knowledge and 

tools needed to disrupt the intricate pipelines of rejection and adverse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth in systems of 

care at their local level. 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Governor E 

Wellness and Healing Pathways: Navigating Treatment for Transgender and Gender Non- 

Conforming Individuals 

Altirik Cali Candelaria 


This workshop will build a comprehensive understanding of the unique experiences and challenges of TGNC 

individuals, with a particular emphasis on the BIPOC TGNC community. This will involve examining the intersection 

of gender identity, race, and ethnicity and the compounded effects of multiple forms of discrimination. TGNC 

individuals often face unique mental and emotional challenges, including increased rates of gender dysphoria, 

anxiety, depression, and suicidality. 

We will explore strategies for managing these challenges and promoting overall mental and emotional health, 

including access to culturally competent mental health resources and the importance of self-care and community 

support. We will provide an overview of the medical transitioning process, such as hormone replacement therapy 

and surgical procedures. This will cover healthcare rights and how to find and access trans-friendly healthcare 

providers, with a particular emphasis on healthcare providers who are culturally competent in working with BIPOC 

TGNC individuals. We will discuss the importance of social support networks in enhancing wellness for TGNC 

individuals, exploring strategies for building supportive relationships within families, friendships, and broader 

communities. 


11

FRIDAY ROUNDTABLE 


10:45 AM - 12:00 PM 

Governor AB 

Healing Roundtable: Healing and Wellness as LGBTQIA+ People of Color 

ME Hart, Lacette Cross, Harold Abrams, Luz Marquez Benbow 

This roundtable addresses the unique challenges and experiences faced by individuals who identify 

as both LGBTQIA+ and People of Color. This inclusive conversation seeks to create a safe and 

supportive space where participants can explore the intersectionality of their identities and discuss 

strategies and practices for promoting healing, well-being, and resilience within the community. 

12 




1:30 PM - 3:00 PM 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Chambers 

Advocacy 

and Public 

Policy 

Governor C 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Governor D 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor E 

Fat & Sexy 

EL Evelyn 

Audience: Closed group for women and nonbinary folks 

Fat & Sexy is an interactive workshop focusing on fat sexuality from an intersectional, intentional, and uplifting lens. 

We will dive into fatphobia in topics such as dating, sex positivity, and sexual health while also discussing various 

tangible fat sex tips and tricks to empower you in your sexual journey as a Fat & Sexy individual! 

LGBTQ+ Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence 

Noah Castro, Majid Alsharif 


LGBTQ+ immigrant survivors of domestic violence, victims of crime, and sexual assault will face this country when 

trying to access services and resources. Our program works specifically with LGBTQ+ survivors, many of whom 

are BIPOC survivors that face specific challenges. The topics covered will be LGBTQ+ domestic violence, cultural 

dynamics, legal challenges, lack of specific resources/services, challenges for asylum seekers, and law enforcement 

challenges. 

Participants will leave with a better understanding of how culture, race, religion, and LGBTQ+ identity might affect 

how they seek services and what domestic violence might look like. This workshop’s key aspect is checking our 

biases before assisting survivors, meeting the client where they are, and providing services/care with an affirming 

understanding of different cultures, religions, and races. What specific challenges immigrant survivors have with law 

enforcement and tactics that abusers might use against the survivors will also be explored. Understanding these 

factors will help participants make appropriate changes to the agencies or services they might provide. 

Addressing Alzheimer’s Disease in LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC Communities: A Public Health Approach 

Erica Salamida, Debbie Abreu 


Over 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, which continues to rise. Historically, Alzheimer’s disease 

and other dementias have been viewed primarily as medical or aging issues. Yet as more is learned about these 

conditions and their impact, there is a strong recognition that public health can intervene and mitigate the 

substantial impact on populations and communities, including racial, ethnic, and underserved groups who are 

disproportionately impacted. 

This workshop will explore the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC 

communities and the unique barriers and challenges they face surrounding a diagnosis and access to care. We’ll 

review the many advances in research that have been made and explore how we can use proven public health tools, 

such as risk reduction, early detection and diagnosis, and access to quality care across the life course, to change 

the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease in ALL communities. Lastly, we’ll share examples of successful community 

partnerships and innovation as they work together to address Alzheimer’s and dementia in their local communities. 

Creating Safe Spaces: Community Safety Planning for LGBTQ+ Organizations 

Delilah Seligman 


Throughout the past several years, anti-LGBTQ+ hate violence has been on the rise, with attacks on the community 

happening directly in our safe spaces - prompting the NYC Anti-Violence Project (AVP) to develop “Under Attack 

2022: LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces National Needs Assessment,” made in collaboration with Strength in Numbers. 

Join NYC AVP’s Manager of Training Programs, Delilah Seligman, LMSW, as she shares integral data from this report 

and how to develop safety countermeasures for your community and organization. 

Participants will identify and practice key safety skills via NYC AVP’s de-escalation toolkit, including identifying and 

responding to safety threats, organizing a safety marshal team, and supporting survivors of anti-LGBTQ+ violence. 

Participants will also learn how to develop and implement a specific and effective safety plan for their community 

events and gatherings via a variety of hands-on activities, including identifying key opponents and allies, as well as 

roleplaying and scenarios. 


13



3:15 PM - 4:30 PM 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Chambers 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor C 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Governor D 

A Nod to the Other Hand 

Tere Fowler-Chapman 

Audience: Closed session for BIPOC 

Did you know healing your inner child can begin at the palm of your other hand? The work of Sandra Cisneros 

inspired this workshop. In this workshop, participants will use the power of storytelling, the vulnerability of 

breathwork, and the curiosity of creative writing to begin conversing with their inner children. 

Together we will embrace Cisneros’ short story “Eleven” and use the concept of this short story to understand the 

grace the aging process offers us. Later in the workshop, we will engage with our children through non-dominant 

handwriting and powerful poetry prompts. By this workshop’s end, we will reconnect with our past selves, hoping to 

create a softer future for ourselves and the people we engage. By the end of this workshop, you will have a lifelong tool 

you can engage with at any point in your life that will foster grace, compassion, and a more profound sense of self. 

Advocating on Behalf of the BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ Community in New York State 

Ace Sutherland, Tabbytha Brigid, Rey Resendez 


The needs for the BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ community across New York State vary by region Equality New York (EQNY) 

is the largest statewide advocacy organization rooted in queer and transgender liberation. However, EQNY believes 

that advocacy is more than just one size fits all kinds of approach. 

As such, this workshop aims to provide the framework for effective activism and allyship for this vulnerable 

population while centering the mental health of both those who are directly impacted and those who serve the 

community. Participants will engage in a learning activity detailing their biases within advocacy, determine effective 

advocacy models, and decide on an implementation plan based on their region within New York State. The goal 

of this workshop is for participants to leave with the knowledge of how to differentiate between performative and 

effective activism and allyship. 

Working through Unique Challenges and Stigmas Attached to Queer BIPOC Bodies and Health Care 

Justice Roe Williams 


This session will move participants to examine how structural racism, heterosexism, transphobia, ableism, 

and poverty impact their practice, their institutional culture, and the relationship of care with their clients. In 

understanding the barriers to care for Queer BIPOC bodies, one must examine the interlocking systems of 

oppression that give practitioners false authority over the bodies of these communities. This results in queer bodies, 

especially black queer bodies or queer bodies of color, receiving lower quality of care and being less likely to receive 

preventive health care services. 

This will challenge participants to think critically about how they can transform the industry by identifying their own 

implicit biases while acknowledging that structural oppression exists. This means addressing the roles of racial, 

gender, and class biases and the gatekeeping in wellness. this includes both the healthcare & Fitness Industries. 

Advocacy 

and Public 

Policy 

Governor E 

Forgotten: Amplifying Voices of Latinx LTS - Aging with HIV/AIDS Communities 

Luis Nava Molero 


This will be an interactive workshop where the facilitator will describe the specific characteristic and needs of the 

Latinx Long Term Survivors and aging HIV/AIDS communities, presenting data that shows up how this population 

has been forgotten by most of the different services, interventions, and programs related to improving the health 

outcomes of the people living and aging with HIV/AIDS. Exacerbated by other social determinants of health, this 

situation contributes to social inequities and lack of access to health care. 

Attendees will be engaged in a roundtable to discuss and contribute their perspectives on this situation, as well as 

provide solutions that allow to reduce the gap that Latinx communities living and aging with HIV face in terms of 

access to health care and health education that help them to improve their quality of life. 

14 




9:15 AM - 10:30 AM 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Chambers 

W(h)ole-y W(h)ell-ness 

Symba Luna 

Audience: Closed session for Non-binary BIPOC 

This workshop is an interactive wellness space. Symba Luna will be modeling examples of how any space can and 

should promote wellness, and they will be encouraging audience participation in bringing the accessible examples 

to life. Symba Luna will be sharing stories of their experience entering and operating in the therapeutic massage 

world as a non-binary melanated individual while making it very clear on what things need to change for BIPOC 

LGBTQIA+ people to be safe to participate in traditional wellness. 

Symba will also assist participants in workshopping examples and ways to apply their wellness practices based on 

what is accessible to them currently. Lastly, Symba will take a short Q&A about their work, wellness practices, goals, 

and desires for their own wellness space. This workshop is open to all; however, this content and message are aimed 

at the wellness of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ people of all ages. 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor C 

Redefining Queer Households 

Sarah McGaughnea 


In every aspect of service provision, one of our initial questions is ‘household size?’. What if your household 

differs from two parents and 2.5 children? What if you had to explain and constantly defend your relationship 

at a baseline? This workshop dives into polyamory and the LGBT+ community. This population experiences 

misunderstanding, unnecessary questions, and lack of service provision that leads to distrust, failure to seek services, 

and a rate of violence that cannot be factualized due to lack of reporting. Is that lack of reporting on the service 

provider’s end or the victim’s end? We will explore this as a group. 

We will talk about staff and service provider biases when serving someone from the LGBT+ population and what 

happens when the victim and their partner both need shelter/services from another abusive partner. Will this be 

understood and respected by staff and agencies? Throughout this presentation, we will have a thought-provoking 

conversation surrounding this. The presentation will also discuss misconceptions/ biases about polyamory and the 

historical trauma already faced by LGBT+ victims. This presentation will also cover the intersection of polyamory and 

LGBT+ relationships. Participants will be provided ideas and examples of small things they can do to create more 

inclusive and trauma-informed services for all victims of violence, regardless of relationship structure. 

Advocacy 

and Public 

Policy 

Governor D 

Anti-LGBTQ Legislative Attacks and Supporting Survivors 

Joey Espinoza-Hernández, Danny Gonzalez, Savy Elahian 


Anti-LGBTQ legislation is rising at an all-time high rate in this country, threatening the safety of LGBTQ survivors, 

increasing stigma, and eroding legal protections. More than 400 anti-LGBTQ bills were filed in 2023, most targeting 

transgender people. These anti-LGBTQ laws will have catastrophic consequences on LGBTQ survivors of sexual 

assault and domestic violence. This workshop will aim to equip the participants with the knowledge and skills we 

need to leverage the anti-violence movement and survivor-support field to respond to the wave of anti-LGBTQ 

attacks. 


15

SATURDAY ROUNDTABLE 


10:45 AM - 12:00 PM 

Taking Action Roundtable: The Evolution of “Queer” and Engaging Collective Voices 

for Collaborative Advantage 

Kiki Wilson, TJ Wright, EL Evelyn 

Governor AB 

This roundtable aims to explore the power of collective action and the importance of engaging 

diverse voices in creating and maintaining collaborative advantage. This dynamic conversation 

will focus on the evolution of LGBT+ BIPOC terminology and strategies for fostering collaboration, 

amplifying marginalized perspectives, and empowering individuals and communities. Participants 

will practice taking action towards a more equitable and inclusive society even–and especially–when 

individuals under the LGBT+ BIPOC umbrella conflict with one another. 

16 




1:30 PM - 3:00 PM 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Chambers 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor C 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor D 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Governor E 

Meditation as a Practice of Unity 

Dom Chatterjee, QTPOC 

Audience: QTBIPOC (Queer and Trans BIPOC) 

This workshop will include practices and learnings from QTPoC Meditation, a group that began meeting in Brooklyn 

in March 2015 and transitioned to virtual gatherings in June 2022. 

QTPoC Meditation offers a pan-spiritual space to tend to unity and hold space for complexity differently from 

listening to a lecture on intersectional justice. 

It is liberating to let go of the comparison between our individual and cultural practices and the general (colonized) 

view of what meditation is. We do not need to empty all thoughts; we do not need to be quiet and still. And these 

expectations can be incredibly challenging for people who are moving through conflict and being with trauma in 

their past or present. 

Yoga can be translated to mean “unity,” it is powerful to be present with that in terms of racial solidarity, gender 

solidarity, global solidarity, and solidarity between people of all abilities. It is significant for me, as a South Asian 

person, to organize and teach within a group that explores what meditative and contemplative practices are for all 

BIPOC cultures, respecting Asian influence on meditation while also including a wider array of perspectives and 

ancestral wisdom. 

Countering the Dual Oppression of Racism and Ableism 

Erika Calderon, Lucrecia Ayala 


This presentation will discuss the intersectionality between Race and Disability. We will take a deep dive into 

understanding intersectionality and its impact on the trauma-focused work we do each day. We will begin by 

reviewing the terms race and disability, next discuss how unconscious biases and belief systems make it challenging 

to build relationships with people who are different from us, and finally recognize how feelings of discomfort 

and anxiety associated with cognitive dissonance can help us become more aware of and open to discussing 

stereotyping and prejudice. We must practice listening and empathy to overcome these biases and work together. 

Using Quality Improvement Techniques to Reach All People 

Steven Sawicki 


This workshop will address 14 different ways to survey and generate input from people. This is based on the quality 

improvement concept that you can only serve those whom you know. Survey tools are complex, from singlequestion 

surveys to multiple meeting workgroups. The workshop will present each tool in detail, explaining how it 

can be used, its benefits, and the limitations involved. Each tool will include details about the resources needed to 

use it, regarding materials and staffing. These tools are as effective internally with existing clients or members as 

when used externally within the general population. They can be used to understand what internal and external 

stakeholders need. 

Leaving A Fixed Mindset for Growth Proficiency 

Julian D. Clarke 


This is a very turbulent time for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Many are targeting the 

community and placing much pushback on ideals and systems implemented to allow for a better quality of life. 

Replacing Belief Systems is essential for anyone to achieve their goals to the best of their ability for the highest 

performance and success. This rings true more specifically within the transgender and gender non-conforming 

communities. Many transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are stuck with Belief Systems that are not 

their own; this poses a very real and dangerous mark on their lives. 

It takes tremendous effort and courage to go against all societal norms, family norms, and acceptances to go against 

the grain and live a life authentic to themselves. These individuals face an epic force of disparities and barriers, and 

being able to rewire their belief systems gives a more level playing field in their favor to achieve the success they 

deserve. 


17



3:15 PM - 4:30 PM 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Chambers 

(3:15-5:15pm) 

Education 

and 

Capacity 

Building 

Governor C 

Advocacy 

and Public 

Policy 

Governor D 

Wellness 

and 

Treatment 

Governor E 

Trans Inclusion in the Workplace Panel 

Julius Faulkner, Sean Coleman, Ke’lan Johnson, Atsushi Akera, Tashan Lovemore 

Audience: Open to all/HR 

Though it is unlawful to refuse to hire, promote, or fire a person because of a person’s actual or perceived gender, 

including being or being perceived to be transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming. Yet nationwide 

studies have found that transgender persons face higher unemployment rates, workplace discrimination, 

harassment, and violations. Through discussions of lived and observed experiences, trans professionals will share 

their journey into the workforce. 

Innovative Community-Based Models of Care: Expanding Peer Navigation for Transition-Age Youth 

Tekoah Boatner 


The workshop underscores the significant role of peer navigation as a critical intervention for mental health, social 

connection, self-esteem, and empowerment within this community. Through the lens of shared lived experiences, 

we will delve into the nuances of peer navigation and its unique effectiveness. 

To provide practical context, we will explore successful, community-based models incorporating peer navigation into 

their intervention strategies for LGBTQIA+ youth. These case studies illuminate the strategies, achievements, and 

challenges faced, thereby painting a comprehensive picture of the real-world application of peer navigation. 

The workshop also offers a step-by-step guide to initiating and expanding peer navigation programs in local 

contexts. We’ll share best practices, discuss potential pitfalls, and offer strategic advice to overcome hurdles. 

Countering the Ban on Our Narratives: Amplifying the Voices of BIPOC LGBTQ+ Advocates Panel 

Julio Roman 


Our panel presentation will analyze the intersection of racial and sexual identity and how it can shape systemic 

issues in story-telling and advocacy. Specifically, we will discuss the significance of the voices of LGBTQ advocates 

and how they can help combat prejudice against LGBTQ individuals. We will also identify innovative ways to amplify 

the voices of LGBTQ+ advocates in response to book bans. 

Some of the main highlights of this presentation include: 

• The reasons behind the banning of books written by LGBTQ advocates 

• The adverse effects of book bans on the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQ community 

• Strategies for amplifying BIPOC LGBTQ voices and the importance of doing so 

Thriving While Triggered 

Dinyar Mehta 


“Thriving While Triggered” is intended to empower audience members with psychoeducation, engagement, 

interaction, and tools that can be deployed in the service of the BIPOC LGBTQ+ community who want to thrive 

despite being triggered by past and present traumas. Focused on multi-level, evidence-based resources relevant to 

LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities, this uplifting and productive workshop will: 

• Draw on past and current peer-reviewed literature and narratives as documented and shared by queer 

communities of color about thriving despite their triggers. The work of Tedeschi and Calhoun, among 

other experts on Posttraumatic Growth, including those from BIPOC communities, will be referenced and 

sourced from. 

• Engage audience members with interactive exercises, handouts, and worksheets to catalyze reflection, 

learning, and empowerment. 

• Utilize audio and video narratives, among other sources, to inspire audience members. 

• Share additional resources for audience members to reference and use with the populations they work 

with to help them thrive despite being triggered. 

• Handouts/notes/visual aids used during the workshop will be shared later when iterated upon. 

18 


SUNDAY SPIRITUALITY TOWN HALL 


LGBTQIA+ and Spirituality Town Hall 

10:30AM - 12:00PM 

Chambers 

Dr. Regina Washington, Rev. Clifford Matthews Jr., Michael Roberson, Luz Marquez 

Benbow, Lacette Cross 

This town hall meeting will explore the impact of spirituality and its dual relationship to the 

LGBTQIA+ community as a potential harm and as a potential liberator. Together, we will 

explore the nuances of and differences between religion and spirituality, considering the 

unique perspective of LGBTQIA+ BIPOC, and discuss queering the relationship between the 

self, community, and spirituality. 


19

ENTERTAINMENT 

ACTIVITIES 

Thursday, October 26, 2023 

Talent Show | 8:00PM - 9:30PM | Hudson Ballroom 

Calling all superstars! 

Showcase your talent among fellow UTD attendees in a casual setting. No need to sign-up in advance. Just bring your 

awesome self and any materials you need to have your talent shine through. Not sure you want to participate? Come 

support and cheer on performers! 

Friday, October 27, 2023 

Game Night | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | Governor AB 

Join us for a good old-fashioned game night! We’ll provide board games and card games - just come prepared to have 

fun and make new friends. Specialty non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails will be provided by Sans Bar and partners, 

and this will be an alcohol-free space. 

UTD Happy Hour Reception at Waterworks Pub | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | 76 Central Ave, Albany 

Join fellow attendees for food and drinks at an iconic Albany LGBTQIA+ bar! Only a 5-minute drive away from the 

Hilton Albany, drop in to see a piece of Albany’s LGBTQIA+ history over music and conversation with new friends. 

The pub will have non-alcoholic options available, but this is not an alcohol-free space. Don’t drink and drive - please 

consider using taxi services or rideshare apps, or see Hilton Albany front desk for complimentary shuttle availability. 

Drag Bingo | 8:00PM - 10:00PM | Governor AB 

Join us for a fun night of Drag Bingo in honor of PrEP Aware Week (October 23-29, 2023)! New York’s PrEP Aware 

Week aims to raise awareness of PrEP as medication for HIV/AIDS prevention and to promote sexual health and 

wellness. Hosted by In Our Own Voices Inc.’s PrEP Ambassador, Ryan Ramdass, with music from DJ Celeb. Also, 

featuring performances from the Capital Region’s Drag Queens Lala Mayaira and Sparkle! Play against your fellow 

UTD attendees for the chance to win toys and more sex-positive prizes! 

Saturday, October 28, 2023 

Halloween House Ball | 9:00PM - 1:00AM | Governor Ballroom 

The category is… Halloween Unity House Ball and Pageant! As part of Albany’s Halloween Fest, In Our Own Voices 

is excited to host Albany’s first ever multi-year Halloween House Ball! This event will feature two contests: one 

traditional house ball with competitive dance, lip-syncing, and runway walks in various categories for cash prizes, 

and one pageant where participants will compete to be crowned IOOV’s Albany Ambassador. 

20 


HIV & Hep C Testing & Counseling 

Testing services provided by In Our Own Voices, Inc. 

To Testing get tested, services sign provided up for a by slot In Our at the Own Voices, Inc. 

Registration Tables in East Gallery. 

Get 

Tested 

Here 

HIV and Hep C 

HIV Testing and Hep C 

Testing 

Location: 

Location: Guestroom 139 

Empire Time: 9am-5pm B 

Time: Days: Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm 10/14 & 

Saturday, Days: Thursday 10/1510/27, 

Friday 10/28 & 

Saturday 10/29 

33 • Unity Through Diversity 2016 


21

A SPECIAL 

THANK YOU 

Ami Kokoneci - Hilton Albany 

Charles King - Housing Works 

Colin Hosten - Leonard-Litz Foundation 

Erin Weiss - Albany County Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center 

Jessica Alexander - Hilton Albany 

John Gardner - Gilead Sciences 

Julie Harris - NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute 

Karen Ziegler - Albany County Crime Victims & Sexual Violence Center 

Kristy Klein - Fifteen Blue Design 

Lisa Francois - Digital Campaigns Manager 

Key Bank 

The NYC LGBT Center 

NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute 

NYSTEC 

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood 

IOOV STAFF 

Tandra LaGrone, Chief Executive Officer 

Phillip Burse, Chief Operating Officer 

Vanessa Gonzalez, Director of Intervention Services 

Nitasha George, Director of Anti-Violence Services 

Carmen Correa, Fiscal Director 

Alisya Reza, Special Events Coordinator 

Ashton Wei, LGBT Health Services Program Specialist 

Brenda Erazo, Office Manager 

Carmica Sanders, Administrative Assistant II 

Coleen Kern, Grant Manager 

EL Evelyn, WSW Program Coordinator 

John Roberts, IPV LGBT Training & Technical Assistance Specialist 

Julius Faulkner, TransCare Program Coordinator 

Nathan Holt, Assistant Bookkeeper 

Carolyn Pierce, Support Staff 

IOOV BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

President: Rhonda Daniel 

Secretary: Alicia Ortiz 

Treasurer: Maria Ayoob 

PLANNING COMMITTEE 

Alex Francisco 

Amanda Gould 

Christine Rodriguez 

Denise Spivak 

Jose Juan Lara Jr. 

Kraig Pannell 

Regina Washington 

TJ Wright 

UTD ENTERTAINMENT/HOUSE BALL 

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS 

Father Jahsier “Juju” Tucker 

Mother La’Mia Aiken-Medina 

Mother London Jae Precise 

Mother LaLa Myaira 

Alex Francisco 

Maurice Thomas 

Board Members: Dr. Angela Ledford, Melissa Kees, Nicolle Beaury, Sarah Colvin 

IN MEMORIAM 

Carmen Vazquez 

Jasán M. Ward 

For their support and lasting legacy throughout In Our Own Voices and in the Unity Through Diversity Conference. 

22 


THANK YOU TO 

OUR VENDORS 

...AND OTHERS! 


23

THANK YOU TO 

OUR SPONSORS 

24 


OCT 

28 

THE CATEGORY IS... 

HALLOWEEN 

UNITY HOUSE BALL 

AND PAGEANT 

9 

PM 

HALLOWEEN BALL CATEGORIES 

& DESCRIPTIONS 

REALNESS: 

BRING THE DOLLS TO LIFE! COME IN YOUR BEST DOLL INSPIRED LOOK- BARBIE, BRATZ, CABBAGE PATCH, ETC. 

SUB-CATEGORIES: FEMME QUEEN / BUTCH QUEEN / DRAG QUEEN 

FACE: 

RUNWAY: 

MASQUERADE- WHAT’S BEHIND THE MASK! WALK THE RUNWAY IN YOUR FAVORITE MASK ONLY TO REVEAL 

YOUR FACE WHEN YOU REACH THE JUDGES TABLE! 

SUB-CATEGORIES: FEMALE FIGURE / MALE FIGURE / DRAG / GENDER NON-CONFORMING 

OPEN TO ALL...TRICK OR TREAT! BRING IT IN YOUR BEST CANDY COATED OR CANDY INSPIRED EFFECT! 

VIRGIN VOGUE: 

VOGUE: 

BEST DRESSED 

SPECTATOR: 

OPEN TO THOSE WITH TWO YEARS OR LESS BALL EXPERIENCE...CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST- 

SPOOK THE JUDGES IN YOUR BEST GHOSTLY EFFECT 

OPEN TO THOSE WITH TWO YEARS OR MORE BALL EXPERIENCE...VILLAINS- SLAY THE COMPETITION IN 

YOUR BEST HALLOWEEN SLASHER INSPIRED LOOK 

COSTUME VERSUS CUSTOM (WHO RULES THE RUNWAY?!- COME IN YOUR BEST COSTUME OR YOUR BEST 

COUTURE- ONLY ONE WILL WIN) 

BIZARRE: 

FRIGHT NIGHT! YOU ARE AUDITIONING FOR A ROLE IN REVIVAL OF MICHAEL JACKSON’S THRILLER! 

BRING IT IN YOUR MOST BIZARRE, OVER THE TOP, CREATIVE ZOMBIE INSPIRED LOOK! 

CACRC 

CITY OF ALBANY CAPITAL RESOURCE CORPORATION 

*This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP1752 awarded to the City of Albany, New York, by the U.S. Department of Treasury. 


25

OCT 

28 

THE CATEGORY IS... 

HALLOWEEN 

UNITY HOUSE BALL 

AND PAGEANT 

9 

PM 

IOOV’S ALBANY AMBASSADOR 

PAGEANT CATEGORIES: 

WINNER OF THE PAGEANT WILL RECEIVE A ONE YEAR PAID AMBASSADORSHIP WITH IOOV 

DRESS: 

YOU’VE BEEN ASKED TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS! BRING IT IN YOUR BEST BUSINESS/ 

PROFESSIONAL ATTIRE 

TALENT: 

SHOW US YOUR TALENT: SING, LIP SYNC, INSTRUMENT, DANCE, ETC. 

PRESENTATION: 

SHOW THE COMMUNITY WHY YOU ARE THE BEST SPOKESPERSON FOR (COMPETITORS WILL BE ASKED TO 

RESPOND TO QUESTIONS THAT SHOW THEIR AWARENESS OF ISSUES IMPACTING LGBTQIA+ BI POC COMMUNITIES) 

The Ball is open to all, however, in order to enter the pageant participants: 

Must Reside in the City of Albany 

Must be 18 years of Age or Older 

Must be willing and able to make a one year commitment to IOOV 

Must be willing and able to attend and/or develop events 

Must be willing and able to serve as an ambassador who will discuss the importance 

of healthy sexuality, knowing your HIV/HCV Status, Body Positivity, etc. 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL (518)432-4188 

26 


UNITY THROUGH 

DIVERSITY

IOOV Unity Through Diversity LGBTQ+ BIPOC National Health Conference

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