OUT & ABOUT QUEER AF RETURNS!
GIULIANO D’ORAZIO Following two years of growing and vibrant events, Queer AF, presented by HIV Advocates, an initiative of Healthcare Advocates International, is back for its third year. Queer AF III focuses on celebrating beauty in all forms. The event represents identities across gender, sexuality, body diversity, disability, race, ethnicity, and more. Queer AF will take place at the AC Marriott Hotel on Saturday, April 18, 2020. The show serves as the main fundraising event for Love Your Labels, a nonprofit organization with a vision of a world free of bias, stigma and shame. Founded in February 2018 in Worcester, Love Your Labels mission is to support LGBTQIA+ young people’s mental, emotional and physical health through programs that facilitate identity development, social-emotional learning, and economic mobility pathways. In the fall of 2019, thanks to funds raised at last year’s Queer AF, Love Your Labels launched the first class of Threads: Woven Together, a groundbreaking youth program which uses fashion and design as a lens to discuss identity, stigma, and navigating the world as a young queer person. In addition to Threads, Love Your Labels runs a bi-monthly Drag Queen Story Time at Redemption Rock Brewing Co. on Shrewsbury Street. The next story time takes place on Sunday, April 26 from 11:00AM - 12:00PM. These events are free and a great opportunity to strengthen the networks of queer and ally families looking for safe community spaces — and it’s a ton of fun for folks of all ages! Moving into year three, Love Your Labels aims to use funds raised at Queer AF III to enrich current programs like Threads and Drag Queen Story Time, reach a wider audience of queer youth and families, and launch new programs which further the mission of helping LGBTQ+ youth live healthy and fulfilling lives. In addition to helping support the mission and important advocacy work of Love Your Labels, Queer AF has historically been an extraordinarily exciting and fun nightlife experience for the audience — and this year, the team behind the event plans to deliver their most engaging and immersive show yet. After last year’s event, which sold out four weeks in advance, the team set their sights on a larger venue to accommodate greater capacity, a larger runway, more accessibility, and state-of-the-art audio/ visual reinforcement. Previous years have included guests like Project Runway All Star Sam Donovan, drag star Joslyn Fox (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Cory Wade (America’s Next Top Model), Pretty Snake (Project Runway), and queer social media icon Rain Dove. The event, true to its inclusive vision, has also highlighted and given a platform to local artists, drag queens and musicians. Trust me when I say that this event is unlike anything Central Mass has to offer. The intersection of its strong vision for social impact with a through-the-roof, exhilarating experience makes Queer AF (and its fierce after party!) a staple event for Worcester nightlife. Tickets for Queer AF III are on sale now at QueerAF. org. Premium runway seating and general admission tickets are available — but get them fast before they sell out! Also, if you or someone you know is interested in participating in the show as a model, performer, or volunteer, hop on over to QueerAF.org for an application to get involved! Giuliano D’Orazio (he/him pronouns) is a Worcester native, musician, music educator, active member of the local LGBTQ+ community, and a board member of Love Your Labels. Email him at: giulianodoraz@gmail.com — Instagram: @musicbygiuliano
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