Over two unforgettable nights, more than 20 LGBTQ+ performers transformed the Everson Museum of Art into a living, breathing celebration of queer expression. Pride Ethos: A Living Exhibit brought together drag, burlesque, dance, theater, and storytelling across five museum spaces—and more than 250 attendees came to witness it. In this reflection, I share why events like this matter, how collaboration and allyship helped bring it to life, and what it means to center queer artists in our cultural institutions.

Thanks to the generosity of longtime community advocates Les Allen and Steve Moyer, and through a new fiscal sponsorship with CNY Pride, Come Out Central New York is proud to bring you our biggest Pride Month yet. Together, we’re not just throwing parties. We’re building space for LGBTQ+ people in Central New York to be seen, supported, and celebrated.

Click through to get a recap of what happening in April, learn what’s happening in May, and get a sneak peek of what’s to come in Pride Month this June in Central New York!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Sizzle & Sass and helped turn Gilded Club into a glittering cabaret of queer magic. From pole to burlesque to live vocals to drag, this show was about joy, artistry, and unapologetic self-expression. Click through to relive some of our favorite moments—and stay tuned. This is just the beginning.

Pride Ethos is a two-night celebration of queer artistry featuring drag, burlesque, dance, and theatre in unexpected places throughout the museum. One ticket gets you access to both shows, with a different cast each night.

Read about news and events for the queer community in CNY for April 2025, including info on our upcoming Sizzle & Sass Cabaret on Friday, April 11, and the location of this month’s Guerrilla Gay Cafe!

A sultry night of cabaret with burlesque, live vocals, drag performances and hosted by the stunning Arya Klos. Tickets on sale now!

Honoring Mickey & Jordan by taking space, celebrating our existence, and building the kind of world they believed in.

On March 4th, the Buffalo and LGBTQ+ communities lost two bright stars, Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto. Their tragic deaths leave behind grief, but also a call to action. In this reflection, I share what comes next—how we can honor their memory, hold those in power accountable, and carry their legacy forward.