City Hall kicked off Pride month last week with its first-ever Pride Ball and it was fabulous, fierce, and fire! For just a few hours last week, people put down politics and picked up Pride in a celebration of LGBTQ New Yorkers as the City Council chambers transformed into an historic Ballroom Showcase with a runway for artists and creators representing each of the five boroughs.
“I could not be prouder to celebrate Pride in the chambers together with our LGBTQIA+ Caucus and so many New Yorkers,” said City Council Speaker Julie Menin in a statement. “The ball was such a special way to celebrate the joy that the LGBTQIA+ community brings to the five boroughs, and honor an important part of its history and culture. Our City Council will continue to advance policies that forge a brighter future for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers and fight against their attempted erasure.”
Councilmember Chi Ossé, who co-chairs the council’s LGBTQIA+ caucus, honored actress and writer Hari Nef, the first openly transgender woman signed to IMG Models and to appear on the cover of ELLE UK’s “Icons of Change” issue.
The evening’s festivities featured the council’s first-ever Battle of the Boroughs, with performers and dancers from Make the Road NY, the LGBT Center, Caribbean Equality Project (CEP), and Destination Tomorrow.
CEP’s Lana Patel wore a sprawling gold gown and won the “Face” category. Destination Tomorrow’s Sevyn Juicy Couture West showed out in a white bodysuit and performed the twirl into a dip simultaneously with Justin Juicy Couture. Afrofutur1st Garçon, also from Destination Tomorrow, rocked another stunning white outfit with a pearl hat and won the “Best Dressed” category.
“As Pride Month begins, it was inspiring to see so many New Yorkers come together to celebrate and honor the LGBTQIA+ community at the New York City Council’s first-ever Pride Ball,” said Councilmember Kamillah Hanks in her newsletter. “Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and thank you to the performers who brought the energy and creativity of ballroom culture to Council Chambers, making the evening one to remember.”
