A Partnership Between Bay Street Theater and LGBT Network

Bay Street Theater hosted a successful collaboration with the LGBT Network on October 22. Comedian Julia Scotti headlined the evening which was preceded by the LGBT Network-hosted wine and cheese event that took place in the Bay Street lobby. Bay Street aims to be a supportive and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and identities. The event sought to foster a sense of community while celebrating the beginning of what hopes to be a long-term partnership between the two organizations. Earlier this month, Bay Street Theater joined the LGBT Network’s newly formed LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

“This has always been at the forefront of everything we do — programming and partnerships that strive to connect us to one another, from the widest swath of humanity possible,” says Bay Street Executive Director Tracy Mitchell. “Everyone should feel at home at Bay Street.”

The LGBT Network is a leader in creating and implementing solutions to address many of the greatest challenges that LGBT people face today — bullying in schools, discrimination and harassment, lack of community and socialization, disproportionate burden of HIV, unsafe workplaces, lack of housing and service options for LGBT older adults, and a lack of LGBT-affirming and welcoming community services. The Network operates LGBT community centers throughout the expansive Long Island and Queens region to reach and serve as many LGBT people and their families as possible. More than 30,000 visits are made annually to access the LGBT Network’s expansive offerings of social, cultural, health, support, and other programs.

The mission of the Long Island LGBT Chamber of Commerce is to promote and foster growth for LGBT-affirming and welcoming businesses of all types and sizes, especially LGBT-owned businesses, through networking, education, and uniting the broader business community. The chamber hosts networking events, coordinates a member directory, and organizes informational programs to support business growth, as it fills a gap in the business community. Businesses of all types and sizes are provided the opportunity to connect to the LGBT community on Long Island, and the chamber will be a resource for LGBT consumers who want to patronize LGBT-friendly and LGBT-owned businesses.