CAZENOVIA — On Saturday, April 6, Cazenovia Pride, H. Grey Supply Co., and Meier’s Creek Brewing Co. will present “The Pink Party,” a silent disco event aimed at fostering community and celebrating love, diversity, acceptance, and joy.
The event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Meier’s Creek Brewing Co. Cellar.
All ticket proceeds will benefit Cazenovia Pride, a community organization committed to showing local youth that no matter who they are, where they come from, or how they identify, they are seen and valued.
At a silent disco, guests are provided with special wireless headphones to listen to music transmitted by a DJ. Attendees can switch between three channels to select their preferred music genre and volume level, creating a personalized and immersive experience.
The event will be hosted by Cazenovia Pride President and H. Grey Supply Co. Co-owner Travis Barr, who will be appearing as his professional drag persona, Anita Buffem.
Attendees are encouraged to embrace the spirit of unity by wearing their favorite pink, black, or greyscale attire.
Cazenovia Pride is also encouraging people to honor LGBTQ+ community members, past and present, starting on April 1 by sharing photos on social media of inspiring LGBTQ+ friends, family, and icons. Use the hashtag #CazPridePinkParty and tag @CazenoviaPride to help foster a sense of community and celebration leading up to the big event.
In addition to music and dancing, ticket holders will also be treated to light bites from the brewery’s kitchen and a Meier’s Creek draft beer ticket. Meier’s Creek’s full menu will be available upstairs in the dining room, and there will be a full cash bar.
“The Pink Party: Silent Disco transcends being just an event; it’s a celebration of unity and a commitment to creating a brighter future for Cazenovia Pride,” said Barr. “We invite everyone to join us in spreading love, acceptance, and joy while making a positive impact on the Cazenovia community. Every dollar raised goes towards this year’s Pride Fest, making it bigger and better than ever before.”
The theme of the 2024 Cazenovia Pride Fest is “Love Out Loud!”
“As LGBTQ+ people, it is exhausting having to constantly monitor your surroundings to gauge the level of safety,” Barr explained. “Love Out Loud! is about being authentically you and not apologizing or hiding it. Be you. Love who you love and be proud of who you are.”
One of Cazenovia Pride’s priorities, according to Barr, is raising awareness of the “rising crisis of human trafficking” in this area.
He noted that during a 2016 conference on human trafficking, Former Madison County Youth Bureau Director Joanne Eddy stated that the potential for human trafficking is a reality in this area because it is in the center of the state between two large cities, Syracuse and Utica; it is near the thruway; and it is near a large casino.
According to Barr, events like those held by Cazenovia Pride play a critical role in encouraging vulnerable youths to connect with the community and with one another in a safe, positive, loving, and celebratory environment.
Barr also referred to the Rescue Mission website, which reports that while homelessness affects many segments of the youth population, LGBTQ youth are at greater risk.
“Nationally, 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as LGBTQ,” the website states. “The primary reason LGBTQ youth experience homelessness is family rejection of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
According to the Rescue Mission, LGBTQ youth also suffer physical and sexual assaults at higher rates.
“Those who follow H. Grey Supply Co. on social media have seen some of the embarrassing and hateful letters and messages we have received regarding our presence here and our work for Cazenovia Pride,” said Barr. “Now more than ever it is important to bring everyone together and show the support that does exist for our LGBTQ+ community and to keep our youth safe.”
The Pink Party is for individuals ages 21 and over. To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, visit hgreysupplyco.com/events.
For updates on the 2024 Cazenovia Pride Fest, follow @CazenoviaPride on social media.
Donate to support the Cazenovia Pride mission by finding Cazenovia Pride on GoFundMe or searching “donate” at hgreysupplyco.com.
