All types of families are welcome and wanted at a Coming Out Party planned for Tuesday evening, the host says.
Cody Keith Charles (all pronouns), executive director of Haus of McCoy — a community hub for queer and trans youth, coming soon to Lawrence — reiterated Monday that the celebration will be an event for the whole family.
“Queerness is joy, and celebration of being your most authentic and beautiful self,” Charles said. “No matter your gender or sexuality, if you’re committed to the aforementioned ideas around queerness, we would love your company on Tuesday evening.”
Haus of McCoy is anticipated to open in early fall. One of its biggest goals is to provide youths — primarily middle- and high school-aged people of color — with a safer space to explore their identities, dreams and passions, and to be in community with other queer and trans youths.
As the Times reported, there will be an appearance from a special guest from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6: Silky Nutmeg Ganache. The season’s new episodes just started airing on Thursday. Fans may remember Silky, who finished in the final four of Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“Silky is an enormous talent and a committed trans accomplice,” Charles said.
The event will also feature performances by Lawrence’s own Cuee, Micha Anne, and Novacayne DeMornay.
Cuee gained national attention after being featured on a Spotify playlist of trans artists in summer of 2020.
In February, Cuee released the single “Ain’t Going Back,” featuring Joel Leoj, which I Heart Local Music dubbed “the happiness anthem for 2021.” The music video is available on YouTube.
Micha Anne (they/them), 25, said they think a space that focuses on support for queer and trans youth, and specifically BIPOC folk, is “vital and long overdue in Lawrence!”
Asked what to expect from their performance, Micha Anne said “People should expect to be engulfed in black excellence!”
How to give to Haus of McCoy
Venmo: @hausofmccoy
PayPal: @hausofmccoy
CashApp: $HausofMccoy
Want to make a donation greater than $5,000?
Please email cody@hausofmccoy.org
The focus of Tuesday is joy — but Charles noted that globally, the trans community and particularly Black and brown trans folks have been ignored at best, and murdered at worst. It’s time to do something and take action, and for people to live in alignment with what they say they care about, Charles said.
“Showing up (and giving what you can) is a great start,” Charles said via email Monday. “Please really think about that ‘give what you can’ part.”
The Coming Out Party is set for 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. Find the Facebook event page at this link.
Update — 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, June 29: Hear from Cody Charles about Haus of McCoy and the Coming Out Party in this video by Matty D Media.
Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
