Open Studio at Love Your Labels

Love Your Labels has launched our Open Studio Thursdays 3-9pm. Our studio is a fully equipped fashion and design makerspace where our community can have access to the space, machinery, and skill-building needed to create custom wardrobe pieces, costumes, drag looks, or to mend and upcycle/refashion existing items.

Are you an experienced sewist? Interested in helping your community by volunteering in the Open Studio and lending your knowledge? Fill out our Open Studio Volunteer form to get started.

Join us for our next Drag Story Time with Birch Tree Bread Company!

We’re excited to have the continued support of @birchtreebreadcompany, @alk.consulting, and @hyggehousebooks for this joyful community event!

When: Sunday, Oct 19 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Reading starts at 3:30 PM) Where: Birch Tree Bread Company, Worcester, MA

Meet DST Reader: __________________________

Bonus: As always, each family gets to take home a copy of one of the books we read, fostering literacy and building home libraries for queer and allied families!

Come for the stories, stay for the joy, and celebrate literacy, creativity, and community with us. It’s going to be a storybook afternoon!

Art in the Heart of Main South

October 18th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at University Park, Love Your Labels will be joining in celebrating the 3rd installment of Art in the Heart of Main South. This is a partnership between Clark University and Art in the Park. The series was created specifically to make art accessible to the Main South community. The event serves as a celebration and will include free food from local vendors, music from Dan and the Royal Treatment along with DJ Cortes, tours of the 8 new art sculptures, Trick or Treating for families (wear your costumes), and tabling by community partners (see you there!).

Open Studio at Love Your Labels

Love Your Labels has launched our Open Studio Thursdays 3-9pm. Our studio is a fully equipped fashion and design makerspace where our community can have access to the space, machinery, and skill-building needed to create custom wardrobe pieces, costumes, drag looks, or to mend and upcycle/refashion existing items.

Are you an experienced sewist? Interested in helping your community by volunteering in the Open Studio and lending your knowledge? Fill out our Open Studio Volunteer form to get started.

ASL Meetup Group Kickoff – Deaf Queer Community & Allies

Date: Sunday, Oct 12 (will typically be held every other Sunday)
Time: 1-3 PM
Where: Creative Community Room @ Love Your Labels, Worcester (Register for location details)

Join us for our new ASL Meetup Group, a welcoming space for the Deaf Queer community and allies of all ASL levels! Whether you're a beginner looking for guidance or fluent and wanting to connect, this group is for you.

This meetup was inspired by three Deaf teens in the Love your Label Community, who will be helping facilitate the sessions. They wanted to create a space where the community can learn, practice, and support one another in a fun, inclusive environment.

What to expect:
✔ Beginner-friendly ASL learning
✔ Conversation practice groups
✔ Socializing & networking—let’s build connections and community!

Open to all—Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing allies, and ASL learners!

Register in advance for location details.

Come meet new friends, practice ASL, and be part of something special. We can’t wait to see you there!

Sueños en Comunidad: We Exist to Resist with Style

Open Studio at Love Your Labels

Love Your Labels has launched our Open Studio Thursdays 3-9pm. Our studio is a fully equipped fashion and design makerspace where our community can have access to the space, machinery, and skill-building needed to create custom wardrobe pieces, costumes, drag looks, or to mend and upcycle/refashion existing items.

Are you an experienced sewist? Interested in helping your community by volunteering in the Open Studio and lending your knowledge? Fill out our Open Studio Volunteer form to get started.

Open Studio at Love Your Labels

Love Your Labels has launched our Open Studio Thursdays 3-9pm. Our studio is a fully equipped fashion and design makerspace where our community can have access to the space, machinery, and skill-building needed to create custom wardrobe pieces, costumes, drag looks, or to mend and upcycle/refashion existing items.

Are you an experienced sewist? Interested in helping your community by volunteering in the Open Studio and lending your knowledge? Fill out our Open Studio Volunteer form to get started.

ASL Meetup Group Kickoff – Deaf Queer Community & Allies

Date: Sunday, Sept 28 (will typically be held every other Sunday)
Time: 1-3 PM
Where: Creative Community Room @ Love Your Labels, Worcester (Register for location details)

Join us for our new ASL Meetup Group, a welcoming space for the Deaf Queer community and allies of all ASL levels! Whether you're a beginner looking for guidance or fluent and wanting to connect, this group is for you.

This meetup was inspired by three Deaf teens in the Love your Label Community, who will be helping facilitate the sessions. They wanted to create a space where the community can learn, practice, and support one another in a fun, inclusive environment.

What to expect:
✔ Beginner-friendly ASL learning
✔ Conversation practice groups
✔ Socializing & networking—let’s build connections and community!

Open to all—Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing allies, and ASL learners!

Register in advance for location details.

Come meet new friends, practice ASL, and be part of something special. We can’t wait to see you there!

Open Studio at Love Your Labels

Love Your Labels has launched our Open Studio Thursdays 3-9pm. Our studio is a fully equipped fashion and design makerspace where our community can have access to the space, machinery, and skill-building needed to create custom wardrobe pieces, costumes, drag looks, or to mend and upcycle/refashion existing items.

Pride at the Park with WooSox

Join us for another year of Pride at the Park, presented by George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs, on Friday, September 19, 2025!

Celebrate the Pride Community during pre-game ceremonies beginning at 5:00 PM. The WooSox will recognize local members and organizations that are doing great work to serve the LGBTQIA+ community in Worcester such as Love Your Labels, OutLoud Sports, Aids Project Worcester, and more! Don’t miss the Pride Parade around the outfield warning track that will take place during pre-game ceremonies either!

After the game, enjoy a dazzling display of “Love is All You Need” UniBank Fireworks, a medley of the hits of LGBTQIA+ artists, icons, and allies! Following UniBank Fireworks, we invite you to continue the celebrations at the city’s premier LGBTQIA+ nightlife venues, Femme Bar and MB Lounge, located just blocks away from the ballpark!

Tickets to choose from include:

• $9 Berm or $19 Third Base Reserved or $25 Field Box

• $5 of loaded value

Add on a $15 Pride Tie-Dye shirt and support the WooSox Foundation!

If you have a group of 15+, contact Lauren Dutton at ldutton@woosox.com.

Open Studio at Love Your Labels

Love Your Labels is launching our Open Studio Thursdays 3-9pm. Our studio is a fully equipped fashion and design makerspace where our community can have access to the space, machinery, and skill-building needed to create custom wardrobe pieces, costumes, drag looks, or to mend and upcycle/refashion existing items.

ASL Meetup Group Kickoff – Deaf Queer Community & Allies

Date: Sunday, Sept 14 (will typically be held every other Sunday)
Time: 1-3 PM
Where: Creative Community Room @ Love Your Labels, Worcester (Register for location details)

Join us for our new ASL Meetup Group, a welcoming space for the Deaf Queer community and allies of all ASL levels! Whether you're a beginner looking for guidance or fluent and wanting to connect, this group is for you.

This meetup was inspired by three Deaf teens in the Love your Label Community, who will be helping facilitate the sessions. They wanted to create a space where the community can learn, practice, and support one another in a fun, inclusive environment.

What to expect:
✔ Beginner-friendly ASL learning
✔ Conversation practice groups
✔ Socializing & networking—let’s build connections and community!

Open to all—Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing allies, and ASL learners!

Register in advance for location details.

Come meet new friends, practice ASL, and be part of something special. We can’t wait to see you there!

Find us at: Pride Worcester

Pride Worcester returns to downtown Worcester on Saturday, September 6. Welcoming over 200 local vendors, artists, makers, and more!

Check out the Pride Worcester main stage on 20 Franklin St. with a special performance by one of your favorite RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars!

This is the last Pride stop of New England. See you there!

Queer Art + Fashion Show 2025: Etheral Beings

Queer AF, known as the Queer Met Gala of Massachusetts, returns on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at Mechanics Hall in Downtown Worcester. This year's show is presented by Saint Gobain, and the theme Ethereal Beings invites you to explore a world beyond boundaries and binaries.

Trans and Queer people are often treated as intangible — myths, projections, misunderstandings — but our lives are real and revolutionary acts. Through light, reflection, color, and form, Queer AF Ethereal Beings will immerse you in a world free of the fixed perceptions many try to impose.

Raja, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 3, will be headlining. Dozens of local models will shine on our runway. Through the language of fashion, we create fleeting, radiant moments that transcend physical space. Most importantly, the night is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Love Your Labels, which supports queer and trans young people as they explore personal expression, gender, and sexuality through fashion design.

How do you embody light? Bring your most mystical, otherworldly, dazzling self to Queer AF Ethereal Beings on Friday, Sept. 5, at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

Worcester Draglesque Festival

Festival workshops are offered for free due to the generosity of the Worcester Arts Council. Registration may be capped to optimize the learning experience. 

11am - 11:45am: Drag Story Time

Location: JMAC, Pop-Up

Hosted by: Harley Queen

Recommended Age: 0-7 with a grown-up

Rainbow families and allies alike are invited to join us for a special storytime hosted by Worcester City Siren, Harley Queen. Don’t miss out on exclusive coloring pages celebrating Worcester icons, designed by Harley herself!

Register Here

12:00pm - 1:15pm: I’M BOOKED! Now What?: Advice for Building Iconic Acts

Location: JMAC, BrickBox Theater

Hosted by: DaishaDore Famouz

Recommended Age: 18+

Drag doesn’t come with a script. You are your own DJ, choreographer, costumer, makeup artist, manager, and agent. With so much to consider, how do you create acts that connect with the audience and leave them wanting more? DaishaDore Famouz has been slaying the stage for over a decade and will break down how she approaches building drag acts with staying power. She will share advice on how to select music that pumps you and the audience up, how to engage with the audience, pacing your choreography and reveals, and the unwritten backstage rules that get you booked time and time again. 

Register Here

12:00pm - 1:15pm: Intro to Burlesque

Location: JMAC, Rehearsal Studio

Hosted by: Dolores Sweet

Recommended Age: 18+

Get ready to shimmy and strut! Learn the art of the tease with Worcester’s sweetest burlesque performer, Dolores Sweet, in the beginner-friendly class. This class will give you the tools to start your burlesque journey and learn some basic choreography. No dance experience necessary. 

Dress for comfort and light movement, such as yoga or sweat pants. 

Register Here

1:30pm - 2:45pm: Trash to Treasure! How to Make Beautiful Costumes for Cheap (or Free) and Stretch What You Have

Location: JMAC, Pop-Up

Hosted by: Lucifer Christmas

Recommended Age: 13+

Drag and burlesque costumes can be expensive and wasteful. How can you make the most of what you already have around your house? How can you transform a thrifted find into something ready for the spotlight? How can you make a memorable look that can be taken apart and reused later? Lucifer Christmas will share his secrets to turning trash to treasure - with no sewing required! You will walk away from this class with advice to make the most of your time and money, while still sparkling on stage. The first 10 registrants will receive a free embellishment kit.

This class is sponsored by BCAW, Burncoat Center for Arts & Wellness, and The Thicket.

Register Here

3:00pm - 4:15pm: Looks by Lana: The Fundamentals of Drag Make-Up

Location: JMAC, BrickBox Dressing Rooms

Hosted by: Lana Backwards

Recommended Age: 13+

Join Worcester’s own Lana Backwards as she teaches you all about the ins and outs of her iconic style of drag makeup. You will learn how to do simple drag makeup, including how to block eyebrows, apply color corrections, and real drag queen makeup techniques. The first 10 registrants will receive a free make-up kit.

Optional: If you want to follow along and get into face, bring foundation/contour palette, eyeshadow palette, and any other favorite makeup products. However, this is a beginner friendly-class and you do not need to have any supplies to learn.

Register Here 

4:30pm - 5:45pm: Hosting the Show

Location: JMAC, Pop-Up

Hosted by: Semi Sweet

Recommended Age: 16+

Join Providence’s Semi Sweet as she takes you on the highs and lows of hosting the best drag and burlesque show in town! Semi co-hosts her own monthly show, Sweet Rosé, and has been regularly hosting shows for the last four years. In this class, she’ll cover topics like consent, audience interaction, and hosting alone or with a co-host.

Register Here

Don’t let the party stop there!

The Worcester Draglesque Festival continues with a showcase 

spectacular at the JMAC’s state of the art BrickBox Theatre. 

Tickets available on a sliding scale through the JMAC / Hanover Theater Box Office.

The Worcester Draglesque Festival is committed to welcoming students of all experiences. Whether you are new to the community, have headlined Pride festivals for decades, or have been waiting to dip your toes into drag or burlesque for years, these classes are for you. We are proudly produced by fat draglesque performers and uplift our neighbors of all abilities, neurotypes, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, sizes, religions, and other lived experiences and identities.

ASL Meetup Group Kickoff – Deaf Queer Community & Allies

Date: Sunday, August 24 (will typically be held every other Sunday)
Time: 1-3 PM
Where: Creative Community Room @ Love Your Labels, Worcester (Register for location details)

Join us for our new ASL Meetup Group, a welcoming space for the Deaf Queer community and allies of all ASL levels! Whether you're a beginner looking for guidance or fluent and wanting to connect, this group is for you.

This meetup was inspired by three Deaf teens in the Love your Label Community, who will be helping facilitate the sessions. They wanted to create a space where the community can learn, practice, and support one another in a fun, inclusive environment.

What to expect:
✔ Beginner-friendly ASL learning
✔ Conversation practice groups
✔ Socializing & networking—let’s build connections and community!

Open to all—Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing allies, and ASL learners!

Register in advance for location details.

Come meet new friends, practice ASL, and be part of something special. We can’t wait to see you there!

Your voice matters. Your vote matters. All politics are local.

🌈 2025 Worcester LGBTQ+ Community Candidate Forum

📅 Wednesday, August 20, 2025

🕠 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

• School Committee Forum: 6-7 PM

• District Discussions (Tabling): 7-7:30 PM

• City Council Forum: 7:30-8:30 PM

📍 YWCA of Central Massachusetts, 1 Salem Square, Worcester, MA

As LGBTQIA+ people across the country face increasing legislative attacks, our local communities are coming together to demand a future rooted in equity, dignity, and safety for all. The 2025 Worcester LGBTQ+ Community Candidate Forum is a space for LGBTQ+ residents and allies to hear directly from local candidates about how they plan to support and stand with the LGBTQ+ community—not just on LGBTQ-specific issues, but across the broader concerns that impact our lives: immigration, education, housing, healthcare access, racial justice, economic opportunity, and more.

This forum invites candidates to engage meaningfully with queer and trans residents of Worcester and our allies, and for our community to organize, ask questions, and be heard.

🗓️ Event Schedule

• 5:45 PM – Doors Open (first forum begins promptly at 6:00 PM)

• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – School Committee Candidate Forum

• 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Community Break & District Candidate Tabling Continues

• 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM – At-Large City Council Candidate Forum

Moderators:

1. School Committee Forum: Lezlie Braxton Campbell, Deputy Director at Neighborh to Neighbor Massachusetts

2. City Council At-Large Forum: Domenica Perrone, Community Engagement Practitioner, Researcher, Youth Worker

Event Partners:

1. Love Your Labels

2. MassEquality

3. Pride Worcester

4. YWCA Central Massachusetts

✨ Submit Your Questions We want this forum to reflect the priorities of the people. Community members are invited to submit questions for candidates in advance when you register.

📣 This event is free and open to the public. Come connect with your community, hear directly from those seeking to represent you, and help shape a future where LGBTQ+ people are safe, celebrated, and centered in local decision-making.

Let’s make Worcester a city where all of us can thrive.

Are you registered to vote? REGISTER HERE.

Rainbow Family Fun @ Worcester Public Library

Join us for crafts, snacks, and conversation for families who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or are their allies!

LGBTQIA+ families with children ages 12 and under and their allies are welcome to come together, share in their pride, and support each other during this monthly gathering. 

Find our Love Your Labels Family Support Network on Facebook.

Make It Werk! A Drag Competition from Love Your Labels

Darlings, the stage is set and the heels are high.

MAKE. IT. WERK. is a turbo-charged night of performance and full-on flair, where queens, kings, and crowned jeweled royals bring their fiercest selves to the stage. This isn’t just about looking good (though baby, you better) — it’s about showing up, showing out, and showing the world what you’re made of.

This high-energy competition is more than a night out — it’s a launchpad. Two winners from the evening will snatch a coveted spot to perform at Queer AF: Ethereal Beings 2025, some call it the Queer Met Gala of Massachusetts, happening Friday, September 5 at the iconic Mechanics Hall. Don’t miss your chance to witness the next stars of the scene before they hit the big stage.

So zip up, tuck in, lash out — and MAKE. IT. WERK.

Event Activities:

• Drag Competition Showdown
  Walks will be walked, wigs may fly, and only two will rise to the 2025 Queer AF mainstage!

• Queer AF Raffle
  Win gag-worthy prizes in our one-night-only raffle — you don’t wanna miss your shot at snatching something fabulous.

• Fresh Drop of LYL Merch
  Get into it, fashionistas — we’re launching brand-new Love Your Labels merch. Come ready to serve looks AND buy them.

• Come Through & Come Together
  Come for the show, stay for the love. Meet new friends, vibe with the crew, and soak in the full fabulousness of the Worcester community.

ASL Meetup Group Kickoff – Deaf Queer Community & Allies

Date: Sunday, August 10 (every other Sunday following)
Time: 1-3 PM
Where: Creative Community Room @ Love Your Labels, Worcester (Register for location details)

Join us for the launch of our new ASL Meetup Group, a welcoming space for the Deaf Queer community and allies of all ASL levels! Whether you're a beginner looking for guidance or fluent and wanting to connect, this group is for you.

This meetup was inspired by three Deaf teens in the Love your Label Community, who will be helping facilitate the sessions. They wanted to create a space where the community can learn, practice, and support one another in a fun, inclusive environment.

What to expect:
✔ Beginner-friendly ASL learning
✔ Conversation practice groups
✔ Socializing & networking—let’s build connections and community!

Open to all—Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing allies, and ASL learners!

Register in advance for location details.

Come meet new friends, practice ASL, and be part of something special. We can’t wait to see you there!

Find Love Your Labels at the 5th Annual Color the City: Youth-Led Festival

The City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division is proud to announce the return of the Color the City Festival, now in its fifth year. The free family friendly festival will be held on Friday, August 8 on Worcester Common, from 3-8PM. The rain date is scheduled for Friday, August 15.

Color the City is a celebration of youth, bringing together young leaders, artists and changemakers for a celebration of youth expression. This event is organized and coordinated by the Create 508 youth in collaboration with the Cultural Development Division and the Division of Youth Opportunities.

The festival will include local vendors, art, music, live performances and interactive games that reflect the Adventure Role Playing Games theme with props like dragons and castles, designed and built by the youth.

Created in 2020, Create 508 employs Youth Leaders and Artist Mentors ages 14-24 in dynamic creative programming, enrichment workshops, training modules and public event planning work. The mission of the Create 508 program is to support youth to drive Worcester’s culture and community while learning the business of art through workforce skill building, community engagement, event planning and cultural organizing.

This year’s Color the City Festival is made possible with the support of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, United Way of Central Massachusetts, Worcester Community Action Council, and the Worcester Cultural Coalition.

D&D RPG Club

Looking for flexible D&D fun?  Then become  part of The Flowing Stone Fellowship, a local adventuring guild that has a backlog of assignments that need to be completed. Many jobs suitable for a wide variety of skill sets. Join in for a session D&D 5e in the Forgotten Realms. Jump in any week with your own character (or use one the pre generated options!) as you tackle exciting beginner friendly one shot quests usually completed in one four hour session . Designed for  players (ages 12+), welcoming  both new and experienced adventurers to join in on the fun

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Getting to Know Each Other – Meet your fellow players and share what draws you to D&D.

• Character Creation & Party Dynamics – Bring your own character, use one of our pre-generated options, or build one with help from the group.

• Game Style & Tone – Do you prefer heavy roleplay, tactical combat, or a mix of both? Should our story be high fantasy, whimsical, dark, or something in between?

• Setting & Themes – Will we explore ancient ruins, bustling cities, haunted forests, or vast deserts? Your input shapes the world!

• Table Etiquette & Club Expectations – A quick chat about keeping the game fun, respectful, and welcoming for everyone.

Once we’ve settled on the basics, we’ll run a short, beginner-friendly adventure to give everyone a taste of D&D in action. No pressure—just a chance to roll some dice, test out characters, and have fun!

No experience or materials needed—just bring your creativity (and snacks if you’d like!).

When: Sunday Aug 3rd 12pm-4pm
Where: Love Your Labels, Worcester MA (RSVP for address and arrival details)

This is a FREE club. We meet every other Sunday.

Can’t wait to see you all and begin our adventure together!

Register for LGBTQ+ Youth Day on the Hill. Love Your Labels will be hosting a FREE collaborative workshop as part of LGBTQ Youth Day on the Hill on July 30th. This event is sponsored by Representative Sam Montaño, hosted by the Commission on LGBTQ Youth. The event will bring LGBTQ youth (Massachusetts residents under 26) to the State House to speak with legislators on their experiences and priority issues as a Massachusetts youth.

D&D RPG Club – First Meeting & Session Zero

Welcome to the very first gathering of our D&D RPG Club! Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or completely new to tabletop roleplaying, this is the perfect place to start. We’ll begin with a Session Zero—a relaxed, collaborative session where we’ll discuss what kind of game we want to play together and make sure everyone feels comfortable and excited for the adventures ahead.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Getting to Know Each Other – Meet your fellow players and share what draws you to D&D.

• Character Creation & Party Dynamics – Bring your character ideas (or build one with help from the group) so we can craft a balanced and engaging party.

• Game Style & Tone – Do you prefer heavy roleplay, tactical combat, or a mix of both? Should our story be high fantasy, whimsical, dark, or something in between?

• Setting & Themes – Will we explore ancient ruins, bustling cities, haunted forests, or vast deserts? Your input shapes the world!

• Table Etiquette & Club Expectations – A quick chat about keeping the game fun, respectful, and welcoming for everyone.

Once we’ve settled on the basics, we’ll run a short, beginner-friendly adventure to give everyone a taste of D&D in action. No pressure—just a chance to roll some dice, test out characters, and have fun!

No experience or materials needed—just bring your creativity (and snacks if you’d like!). Let’s kick off this club with an epic start!

When: Sunday July 20th 12pm-4pm
Where: Love Your Labels, Worcester MA (RSVP to dani@loveyourlabels.org for address and arrival details)

This is a FREE club. Gatherings will be scheduled TWO Sundays each month.

Can’t wait to see you all and begin our adventure together!