Brooklyn Pride, Inc. strives to increase visibility, acceptance, and inclusion to ensure equality for the LBGTQIA+ Community, honoring the Spirit of the Stonewall Riots.
Con Edison supports Brooklyn Pride.
Mickey Heller
Brooklyn Pride Chair (He/Him)
Mickey Heller Brooklyn Pride Chair (He/Him)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mickey Heller, a Native New Yorker and graduate of the HS of Music & Art, Hunter College and Brooklyn Law School, Mickey has been practicing law for over 30 years. A founding board member of the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Mickey has done volunteer work for a number of non-profit organizations, but says he is proudest of his work with Brooklyn Pride, Inc. He began with Brooklyn Pride, Inc. driving former Borough President Marty Markowitz’s parade truck/float in 2007 and 2008. That led to volunteering in 2009 on the parade and 5K Run, and in 2010 he became, and currently serves, as the Parade Director. Mickey has served as Chair or Co-Chair since 2011. Mickey has been proud to serve as the Fifth Avenue BID’s “official” Park Slope Santa for over ten years. After retiring from his full-time work, and attending Santa Conferences, Mickey has decided to further pursue his Santa Work.
Ariel Sanders
Secretary, Volunteer Coordinator & Festival (She/They)
In her penultimate year, this New York (formerly Brooklyn) native is super honored to be a part of Brooklyn Pride for an 11th (already?!) time. Having been raised to be warm, friendly, and helpful, coupled with strong community service values instilled by her Quaker high school education, Ariel is just tickled to continue to be volunteering for
an organization that represents two of her biggest loves – Pride and Brooklyn.
Cam Moore
Director of Communications / Entertainment & Youth Pride
(She/Her)
Cam started volunteering with Brooklyn Pride, inc. as a Stage Manager in 2016. Since then she joined the Brooklyn Pride Board in 2018 and has now grown to wear a multitude of hats as the Director of Entertainment, Communications and Youth Pride. Brooklyn Pride makes me proud to know that I'm a part of a team that contributes to so many moments of happiness. To me, Brooklyn Pride is about community, while still creating a family-oriented pride celebration.She is most proud to have created and cultivated the Brooklyn Youth Pride program, with her spouse, and this program is now an annual event. Cam hopes to continue outreach and diversity at Brooklyn Pride to ensure we all stand stronger within our community, to combat the ones who try to undermine and erase our existence. We will not change how we show-up to our events, but as an organization we are conscious of the climate that we are living in.
Kyle Naff
5K Run Director and Interfaith (He/Him)
Kyle Naff originally from the corn and cheese fields of Illinois and Wisconsin, touched down in Brooklyn in 2015 to see what it was like to live in the big city. While he thought that it would be just for a short stint, he managed to find a sense of community through fitness and running with Front
continues
BOARD OF DIRECTORS cont’d
Runners New York. His involvement with the Brooklyn contingent of the team led him to take up an offer to oversee the Brooklyn Pride LGBTQIA+ 5K as a way to give back to the community. After several successful runs that resulted in a Volunteer of the Year award, he gladly accepted the invitation to join the Board to continue to put together an amazing Brooklyn Pride Week and more. In his free time, you can catch him running around Prospect Park to train for his unhealthy obsession with endurance racing. s
ADVISORY BOARD
Sergio Morales (He/Him)
Sergio Morales has been a long time ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. As of this year, he has been volunteering with Brooklyn Pride for the last 11 years. This will be his first year as an Advisory Board member, but he started out as just a parade volunteer. Now he assists all day during the Multicultural Festival and with the Twilight Parade. When he is not volunteering, he works full time at the New York Public Library on 42nd Street and is in the process of getting his Masters in Library Science with a focus on Outreach and Archive collections.
Michael Fieni
Website Designer (He/Him)
Mike is proud to have designed and launched the new Brooklyn Pride website in 2020. He works as Brooklyn Public Library's director of community engagement and also designs websites for artists, poets, and authors. This August marks his 22nd year in New York City.
Advisory Board cont’d
Victoria J Youth Pride Coordinator (She/Her)
I'm born and raised right here in New York and have lived in Brooklyn most of my life. When I had the opportunity to volunteer for Brooklyn Pride I was happy to do so, especially for the first Youth pride. I'm an entrepreneur and love what I do.
Marcy Carr (She/Her)
Marcy has been a volunteer with Brooklyn Pride since 2015. She joined the Brooklyn Pride Advisory Board in 2024 and enjoys working with the Executive Board wherever she is needed!
In July of 2023, after 10 years with the Pride Center of Staten Island, Marcy started a new adventure in Binghamton NY to be closer to her grandchildren. While her life is a bit slower now and she has the longest commute, her heart is here in Brooklyn! s
Grand Marshals
Chi Ossé
Chi Ossé, is a 3rd generation Brooklynite. At 23 years old, Ossé was elected in 2021 as the youngest member of the New York City Council and its only member hailing from Gen-Z. He is the Council Member for New York City's 36th District, representing Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights. His work is focused on implementing innovative and human-centered public safety solutions and investing in solving New York’s housing crisis. Furthermore, Chi is a member of the LGBTQIA Caucus, being a fierce advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. He introduced, among others, three LGBTQ-centric bills in the current legislative session, particularly focusing on shelters and housing. Finally, introduced and helped get passed the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, which prohibits tenants from incurring illegal broker fees.
The Prospect Park Women's Softball League
The Prospect Park Women's Softball League was founded in 1981 as a safe space for women of *all* skill levels, and ages, to learn and play softball. In fact, they were the first organization granted permits to play softball in the park.
Now in its 44th year, the organization is open to women, non-binary, *and* trans adults, and continues to be an inclusive and supportive place for their diverse population. (Even their straight-ally members!) In addition to nightly games amongst the 14 teams and 280 players, the league organizes community events- such as sports outings, karaoke nights, local sponsor bar and restaurant crawls, and even a book club. The PPWSL is not just about softball... it's about feeling safe, at home. s
Parade Participants
Aces NYC
AHF
All Souls Bethlehem Church
Animal Care Centers of NYC
Arts & Letters 305 United
Big Apple Marching Band
Big Apple Rec Sports
Big Apple Softball League - BASL
Brad Lander for Mayor
Brooklyn Bar Association
Brooklyn Borough President's Office
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Brooklyn Comedy Collective's Gay Gam
Brooklyn Community Pride Center
Brooklyn District Attorney's Office
Brooklyn Friends School
Brooklyn Heights Montessori School
Brooklyn Music School
Brooklyn Pride
Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Quaker Meeting
Brooklyn Scouts
BSE Global
Build Out Alliance
CAMBA
Cheer New York
Citi Bike [Lyft]
Civilian Complaint Review Board
CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium
Dean CrossFit [Brooklyn Strength]
Drag Artists for Expression NYC
DSNY Pride
Episcopal Churches of Brooklyn
First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
First Unitarian Congregational Society
FogoAzul NYC
FOLX Health
Forefront Church Brooklyn
Gay Officers Action League
Generation GSA
Girl Scout Troop 2412
GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis)
Greenpoint Reformed Church
Hetrick-Martin Institute
International School of Brooklyn
Khari Edwards for Brooklyn Borough President
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church
Lambda Independent Democrats
Lesbian Herstory Archives
Maimonides Health
Metropolitan Community Church of New York/Sylvia
Rivera’s Place
MLB PRIDE ERG
National Grid
New York City Anti-Violence Project
New York City Council
New York City Democratic Socialists of America
New York State Office of the Attorney General
NYC DDC
NYC Dyke March
NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Mayor's Office
NYC Public Schools
NYS Senator Andrew S. Gounardes
NYU Langone Health
One Brooklyn Health
Oula Health
Packer Collegiate Institute
Park Slope United Methodist
Poly Prep
Pride Shabbat Across Brooklyn
Procter & Gamble
Prospect Park Women's Softball League (PPWSL)
PS 107 Rainbow Club
PS 295
PS 321 PTA
PS130 Rainbow Club
PS20 Clinton Hill School
Rainbow Brief [Hunter PR]
SAGE
Saint Anns School
SALGA NYC
Sephora
Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC
Stringer NYC
The Berkeley Carroll School
To Proudly Go
Tri-State Pride [JPMorganChase]
Warner Music Group
Zellnor for NYC
Other Contributors
Monica
Menendez
(They/Them) (They/Them) Monica has been part of the pride community for over a decade. They're happy to be co-march director again and lend a helping hand to Brooklyn Pride, after several years as the Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee March director and board member. Although they live in Astoria, they've developed an appreciation for the borough of Brooklyn as their spouse was born and raised there. Monica is hyped to celebrate another year helping bring pride and cheer to the Brooklyn community.
Rori Baldari
Graphic Designer
Rori has been doing the graphic design and production of the Brooklyn Pride Guide since 2001, and was a Grand Marshall in 2003. She creates promotional materials for the Amateur Astronomers Association, and participates in many public outreach stargazing events throughout the year. s
Pride Volunteer Grant Recipients
Brooklyn Pride is proud to announce this year’s Volunteer Grant recipients:
Brooklyn Free Clinic
Anne Kastor Brooklyn Free Clinic - The volunteers are students and physicians from the SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, School of Health Professions, College of Nursing, and School of Public Health. Under the guidance of volunteer physicians and faculty advisors, the students provide care and health-maintenance screening to enrolled patients. They also provide access to a network of specialists who have volunteered to treat their patients at no cost. Students who volunteer at the clinic are highly motivated learners dedicated to community service. The support and generosity of the SUNY Downstate Medical Center gives them the means to provide free, high-quality services to their patients.
Brooklyn Creative Reuse
Brooklyn Creative Reuse is dedicated to fostering creativity and sustainability through collaboration and community building. The aim to empower locals, artists, and local businesses to create and innovate while promoting arts education and recycling in the arts and culture industry. Brooklyn Creative Reuse serves a diverse and vibrant community of artists, educators, and environmentally conscious individuals, with a focus on underrepresented groups, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, low-income families, and BIPOC artists.
Gay For Good - NYC Chapter
Gay For Good mobilizes LGBTQ+ and ally volunteers to promote diversity, foster inclusion and strengthen ties to the broader communities where we live and work. The organization provides training and resources to community leaders who plan and lead inclusive volunteer experiences for LGBTQ+ people, allies and others to volunteer together, network and have fun in New York City and its other twenty cities with chapters across the U.S. Through volunteer service, they aim to increase LGBTQ+ visibility, cultivate understanding, and build positive relationships between diverse groups of people, while helping the environment, animals, and people in need.
Cheer New York
Cheer New York is a diverse group of LGBTQ+ and ally cheerleaders that use our athletic and philanthropic abilities to empower and affect change in our communities through charitable action.
s
Please note that events listed and detailed within this Pride Guide are the only events officially sanctioned by Brooklyn Pride, Inc. Any event not listed in the Pride Guide is not an official Brooklyn Pride, Inc. event.
Monday, June 9th, Brooklyn Pride Honorees
The Nonbinarian Bookstore
Located between a queer-owned coffee shop and a new cocktail bar in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, The Nonbinarian is located one block from the Brooklyn Community Pride Center and a half-mile from the Brooklyn Botanical Gar-
dens. Born out of our mobile mutual aid initiative (The Nonbinarian Book Bike, est. 2022), The Nonbinarian Bookstore is an exclusively queer bookstore and community space, carrying new, used, & free books, gifts, and resources. They are trans-led and volunteer-powered, distributing queer books of all genres to all ages across the borough.
The Nonbinarian Book Bike is also available for offsite pop-ups, such as partner events and school visits.
The Nonbinarian Boorstore is located at 1130 President St. Brooklyn, NY 11225. Their telephone number is (347) 871-2431, www.thenonbinariam.gay and Instagram: nonbinarianbike.
Devin-Norelle
Devin-Norelle (ze/zim/zis) is a nonbinary model, writer, and awardwinning advocate whose work centers Black trans
and nonbinary liberation. With a dynamic presence in fashion, media, and activism, ze has become a powerful voice for visibility, equity, and justice.
Ze has walked the runways of New York Fashion Week for barrier-breaking brands like Chromat and dapperQ, and appeared in campaigns for Bonobos and Bella + Canvas. Ze’s editorial features include Teen Vogue, GQ, Allure, Out, Paper Mag and Them., where ze challenges traditional notions of gender and beauty.
Beyond fashion, Devin-Norelle is the host of PBS’s award winning show Brave Spaces, a series that explores the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals through honest, community-rooted storytelling.
Ze is also a sought-after speaker and educator, leading workshops on gender inclusivity, implicit bias, and trans-affirming care for institutions across the U.S.
A former member of NYC Pride’s Community Council, ze helped steer the organization toward more anti-racist, antipolice practices, working to build safer and more inclusive Pride events for all. Ze’s advocacy, leadership, and commitment to healing has earned zim several awards and accolades, including Ulta Beauty's Muse 2021Recognition, Callen Lorde's 2019 Transcendence Award, Marsha P. Johnson Institute's 2023 Legacy Honoree Award, and the Bridges4Life Trans Day of Remembrance 2024 Advocacy Award.
Ze currently serves on the board of the Stonewall Community Foundation, and is working with the New York State Department of Health to create a coordinated equitable system of care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially those who are BIPOC and/or immigrants to eliminate healthcare disparities across New York State. With every platform, DevinNorelle pushes for a world where gender diversity is celebrated, and every trans and nonbinary person—especially those of color—can thrive.
Julie J
Julie J (she/her/hers) is a Brooklyn-based actress, drag artist and community organizer. In 2023 she was named MISS BUSHWIG at the nation’s largest drag festival, and in 2024 she won Entertainer of the Year at the Glam Awards, which recognizes the best in New York City nightlife. As a performer and advocate, she has been featured on MSNBC and in the Washington Post, PAPER Magazine, and NowThis News. She was a University Settlement Performance Project Fellow in 2022 and was named a Next Generation Artist by
La Mama Experimental Theater Company in 2019. In 2023, she was listed as one of Brooklyn’s 50 Most Fascinating People and was a featured speaker at Pride Live’s Stonewall Day. In 2024, she was selected as a Resident Artist at La Mama ETC for the 2025/2024 season. Julie stars in the upcoming horror comedy film Queens of the Dead. She has been featured in advertising campaigns for Maybelline and luxury jewelry brand Alexis Bittar. She has been a featured performer in cities worldwide including Berlin, Prague, Bologna, and Sardegna. Most proudly, she is the founder of Stand Up NYC, which has raised over $125,000 for trans and LGBTQIA+ organizations. s
BROOKLYN PRIDE SPECIAL THANKS
Brooklyn Pride offers our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the individuals, groups and organizations that provided us unwavering support and assistance in bringing this year’s pride event to Brooklyn.
Without your support, encouragement and belief, Pride 2025 would not have been possible.
The dedicated volunteers of Brooklyn Pride, Inc. and Mike Racioppo, District Manger, Community Board #6 250 Baltic Street Brooklyn NY 11201 (718) 643-3027 www.brooklyncb6.org
Joanna Tallantire, Exe. Dir. Melissa Coburn, Dep. Dir. Erika Clark, Board President Park Slope 5th Avenue BID The Yard 157 13th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215 718-551-5545 www.parkslopefifthavenuebid.com
Lawrence A. Timberlake, Jasmine Haynes, NYC Parks and & Recreation
Litchfield Villa 95 Prospect Park West Brooklyn, NY 11215 (718) 965-6993 www.prospectpark.org
Front Runners New York PO Box 230087
Ansonia Station New York, NY 10023 Brooklyn, NY 11201 www.frny.org
Officers Brian Ferguson and Liz Medina 78th Pct. Community Affairs Office 65 6th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 636-6410
Kimberly Maier, Exec. Dir. Madeline Wall, Director of Programs
Emily Grimes, Manager of Visitor Experiences
The Old Stone House Washington Park 336 Third Street Brooklyn, NY 11215
Borough President Antonio Reynoso, & Staff at Borough Hall
Brooklyn Borough Hall 209 Joralemon Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 802- 3700
PLEASE patronize and support the various businesses and organizations that placed ads in this Pride Guide. They support Brooklyn Pride and help us continue to get better every year.
There are SO many people to thank, and if we accidently omitted anyone, we apologize greatly, but appreciate all of your support.
Gay City News celebrates Pride serving the LGBTQ+ Communities and Allies. Our June 26 Special Pride Issue will have personal hand-out distribution along the march on June 29. Additional
Saturday, June 14th
Brooklyn Pride Day
5K Run in Prospect Park
Street Festival –
5th Avenue from Union to 9th St.
Family Fun Zone –In front of the Old Stone House
Entertainment Stage – On 5th Avenue (off 9th Street)
Parade – 7:30pm 5th Avenue from Lincoln Place to 9th Street
PARADE ROUTE
Boy VII Gorge
AHF ENTERTAINMENT STAGE
My Names Boy VII Gorge! Moved here from the Midwest to either take a bite outta the big apple or have the big apple take a bite outta me.
Brianna Musco
Brianna Musco is a lesbian pop singer best known for her electric live performances and relatable LGBTQ+ memes. She draws influence from Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, & Fletcher and is one of NYC’s most fun up-andcoming queer artists!
Catching Fireflies
Catching Fireflies is a folk rock musical that centers on a trans writer and his queer friend group of artists stuck together in Philadelphia over the 2020 pandemic. Through intertwining love triangles and questioning of common queer stereotypes, each artist achieves a closer connection to their authentic self.
Chanel & the Circus
Chanel & the Circus has been making queer music, videos, and events for the past 10 years from London to Los Angeles. They are touring their solo clown musical "All the Boys I Blocked" this year and releasing their self produced album. Chanel brings tantalizing mix of rock and
theater to any stage with interactive elements and an ultimate message of self love.
Cheer New York
Cheer New York is a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization composed of allvolunteer LGBTQ+ and ally cheerleaders. Their mission is to use their athletic and philanthropic abilities to empower and affect change in the community. Since 2001, Cheer New York has been serving the Tri-State Area by inspiring and encouraging audiences wherever they perform and by raising money for local LGBTQ+ charities.
DAYLUV
DAYLUV is a singersongwriter, lyricist, audio engineer and entrepreneur hailing from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. He believes music is a powerful means of influence and is ultimately “the universal language of mankind” therefore, it is a great responsibility to utilize his musical gifts to create a positive impact in the world.
Issadora Ava
Issadora Ava, a California-born indiepop artist based in New York City, is an independent musician with over a million streams on Spotify and other platforms. She takes pride in creating art that amplifies queer stories through her distinctive artistic direction, using music and visuals to create meaningful representation and connection.
Jess And
Jess And is a livesinging hyper-queen based in Manhattan. Jess has her fingers in every pie in New York- and she’s also involved in a lot of things! Your current reigning Mx. Cheer is always going to wail the house down, and make you laugh in the process!
Laila Lancing
"Lailah Lancing is an OUT, LOUD, PROUD TRANS entertainer! She’s a Drag Diva, GLAM AWARD winning Bartender & Nightlife personality, as well as a singer/songwriter who just released her first single NUDE (available on all streaming platforms). Lailah Lancing is an OUT, LOUD, PROUD TRANS entertainer! She’s a Drag Diva, GLAM AWARD winning Bartender & Nightlife personality, as well as a singer/songwriter who just released her first single NUDE (on all streaming platforms).
She has been a staple in NYC for over 3 decades! In her career she’s been a part of all things fabulous from The 90’s club scene, the Burlesque & Cabaret circuits, Lady Bunny’s famous WigStock Festival, as well as the Legendary stage at The Stonewall Inn, and co-host of the monthly Brooklyn Drag Talent completion MISS CHEESECAKE, alongside Founders Michelle Ann Starr & Jason Walker. She’s honored to be back again as Host/MC of Brooklyn Pride for the 8th year! "
Leopard Killa
Leopard Killa is the biggest baddest cat in NYC. He is a performer, a player, and a good time guy. Don’t worry, you can get his number after the shows.
Nice Brass
Nice Brass is a predominantly queer New Orleans-style brass band based in New York City. They play a variety of brassy music including traditional NOLA standards, your favorite pop songs, and originals. Find them on Instagram and TikTok @nicebrassnyc
Rhys Avery
Rhys Avery is a Pop/R&B artist from Fort Lauderdale, FL, now based in NYC. With a background in musical theatre, he’s been releasing original music since 2024. Rhys completed an artist development program, honing his sound—a fusion of early 2000s nostalgia with a modern, queer perspective.
Sorayah D
Sorayah D is THE trans latina of NYC who has vibrant energy and loves to flip, split and twirl for your nerves! Sorayah also works as a trans
AHF ENTERTAINMENT STAGE
activist and has the longest running all trans cast show in New York City! Come support your trans latina every 2nd Friday at Trans Joy located at Sandy Jacks in our Park Slope, Brooklyn community!
Soy Leche
Soy Leche is a Latina diva with all the wiggles and jiggles to give you the giggles. I dip, dive and give you spilt milk drops. Keep it fun, keep it cute.
The House of Babylon
The House of Babylon a collective of diverse individuals who empower each other to pursue artistry and excellence in the US and international ballroom scene. Our mission is to offer a safe space and a family to those who feel they’re not supported elsewhere and to uplift those individuals.
Tony & The Kiki
Tony & The Kiki is a NYC born and bred powerhouse band that exploded onto the scene like a supernova. They blend gritty glamour, disco decadence, and highvoltage anthems into a force of fabulosity. Their soul-shaking shows and unapologetic songwriting captivate audiences from the underground to the world stage.
Ty McKinnie
Ty McKinnie, is a singer-songwriter hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. This selftaught guitarist and
producer has cultivated a sound that spans across Pop, Soul, Folk and Jazz. The now NYC based artist has performed in iconic venues and festivals around New York City such as Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Electric and Brooklyn Pride. The jovial and soulful crooner recently released his first album 'TYRIE,' which is available on all music streaming platforms.
Vampy Von Thickums
Galore
NYC’s hottest and most sought after drag performer. A 3x New York City night life glam award nominee and glam award winner. Has been featured on Get Out magazine and is your current “Tournament of Champions season 2 winner” - vampy Von Thickums Galore s
Everybooty 2025 Sun, Jun 15 at 5PM
Curated by Robert Phillip Smith
Presented by BAM in association with Brooklyn Pride
After a six-year hiatus, BAM’s Pride takeover returns. Transforming the BAM Fisher into a four-floor day rave, Everybooty is an eruption of underground dance music, revelry, art, discourse, and joy celebrating New York City’s vibrant and unstoppable queer community. Meet us at The Club and The Flea, on The Roof, and in The Salon to experience some of the most thrilling dance floor divas, artisans, and pleasure activists working across Brooklyn queer nightlife. Get down, act up, be proud. This is Everybooty. For more information, https://www.bam.org/everybooty2025
BROOKLYN
LGBTQ+ Committee
The LGBTQ+ Committee of the Brooklyn Bar Association is dedicated to advancing equality, inclusion, and justice for LGBTQ+ individuals within the legal profession and the broader community. We strive to support LGBTQ+ attorneys, law students, clients, and community members through advocacy, education, mentorship, and community engagement. Our mission is to foster a legal environment in Brooklyn that embraces diversity, protects civil rights, and promotes equitable access to legal representation and professional opportunities. The LGBTQ+ Committee serves as a platform to ensure the law is a tool for justice and not a barrier to equality.
BKCM @ Brooklyn Pride!
The Brooklyn Pride Street Festival is coming back to 5th Avenue on June 14, and BKCM will be hosting a musical celebration in the festival’s Family Fun Zone outside the Old Stone House! Join us in JJ Byrne Park for a Pride singalong, musical story time, and instrument explorations for kids.
About Brooklyn Conservatory of Music: The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) aims to transform lives and build community through the expressive, educational and therapeutic powers of music. At our home in Park Slope, we offer private music lessons, group classes, ensembles and music therapy. Through our community engagement programs, we bring high-quality music education and music therapy to 7,000 students and clients at more than 80 public schools and community-based organizations across the city's five boroughs. We strive to be a safe, affirming and inclusive place for all people to come together and experience learning, joy, creativity and healing through music. s
Tuesday Comedy Night
Lois Thompson
For the past 13 years, Lois Thompson has produced and hosted Blacklight Comedy Show at The Brooklyn Moon. Always an all-female lineup, Blacklight has become a must-do stage for NYC and visiting comedians alike. Since 2016, she has also produced the Brooklyn Pride Comedy Show. Lois also serves as the Executive Producer for the Black Women In Comedy Lafffest, now in its 6th year. When she's not busy finding funny people, Lois helps people find their place in the world of real estate where she is a well regarded veteran of 23 years.
Paris Sashay (Headliner)
Paris Sashay is a comedienne, actor, writer and producer from Washington, DC, currently residing in New York. Her command as a seasoned storyteller makes even the mundane experience feel like an adventure. Unequivocally one of the funniest rising comediennes with highlighted performances at Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal along with appearances on Comedy Central, Pause on HBO Max, and BET 50 Central. Tiffany Haddish mentioned Paris on the most recent season of her Netflix comedy specials ‘She Ready’. Her comedy special can be seen on ‘Unprotected Sets on EPIX’ produced by Wanda Sykes. Paris has worked with Micheal Che, Dick Gregory, Wanda Sykes, Lil Rel, and Roy Wood Jr. She performed at The Howard Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Caroline’s on Broadway, Hollywood Improv, The Comedy Store and is a regular at The Comedy Cellar, just to name a few. She recently debuted her comedy album ‘My Honest Ignorance’ on all streaming
platforms which ranked #1 on iTunes upon release! As well as her viral TIK TOK comedy video ‘I’m Picky With My Gay’.
Calvin Cato
Named one of Time Out New York’s Queer Comics of Color to Watch Out For, Calvin S. Cato has dazzled audiences with his quick wit and penchant for blazers. His television appearances include Oxygen, GSN, Netflix, and an unaired pilot for Vice Media called Emergency Black Meeting. His comedy has been featured in numerous festivals including New York Comedy Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, Brooklyn Pride, Gotham Storytelling Festival, FlameCon, and the Women in Comedy Festival. In early 2021, Calvin was published in Kweendom, an anthology of essays by queer comedians and entertainers. He most recently hosted and produced The Calvin Cato Show, an online interview/talk show on RushTix.
Leah Reinhardt
Leah came out of the closet in 2000 and made her way to Brooklyn in 2003. After decades of making drinks for strangers and mistakes in dating, she decided to make jokes. Going through the 2020’s Open eyed and slinging Pride! First dates include Peri Peri Chicken & Peri Peri Mood swings.
Young Tef
Young Tef has performed at the Apollo Theater, Barclays Arena, The Laugh Factory, and Webster Hall just to name a few. She has featured for Adele Givens, Tony Roberts, Gerald Kelly, and Donnell Rawlings. When she is not bringing the house down with laughcontinues
ter, Young Tef is honing her acting chops writing, producing, and directing her own films.
James Tom
James Tom is a stand-up comic, actor, and writer, gleefully providing the trans, queer, Asian American, millienial twink perspective that everyone never knew they wanted. Their solo show, LESS LONELY, presented by Elliot Page, had a successful run Off-Broadway in 2023. They were a story editor on HBO Max's OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH. Jes can be seen & heard in the Hulu Feature CRUSH, HBO Max’s LOVE LIFE, Adult Swim's TUCA & BERTIE, and on Hannah Gadsby’s GENDER AGENDA, on Netflix. Their writing has been published by Reductress, Shondaland, and Condé Nast’s Them, and they wrote for the Audible/Broadway Video series HOT WHITE HEIST, produced by Alan Cumming. Jes has been featured in The New York Times, Vice, Ozy, Forbes, NowThis, s
Vulture’s Comedians You Should and Will Know in 2021, and were selected as a New Face at the 2021 Just For Laughs Festival.
