We will be providing education surrounding the history and founding of the ballroom scene and it’s impact within LGBTQIA+ Culture and Mainstream (i.e., hip hop, R&B, Fashion, etc…). We will also be highlighting different organizations and services that they provide at these workshops (i.e., STI testing, TGNCNB resources, Mental Health resources, etc…). Stay on the look out as we mention and highlight these services so that community can obtain them. 

Host Bio: 

Marine Taveras, aka Buttercup Vera Wang, is a New York City born activist, model, dancer, and performer. They’ve worked with various brands, like Milk Makeup, Nike, etc, featured in different ad campaigns as a dancer and model, past panelist for NYC Gaymers, and background actor as a Ball Goer for Pose on FX. As a member of the NYC Ballroom & Kiki Scene, they’ve walked performance & realness, played the role of outreach specialist, community organizer, vogue instructor, ballroom history educator, as well as discussion group facilitator while working for The Center (The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center).

In addition to facilitating their own kiki lounge, they also held space for the kiki scene within The Center and hosted their own original HeartBreak Kiki Ball- which had an expected attendance of over 230 ball goers but far exceeded that occupancy.

Currently Marine is a LGBTQ+ Community Health Navigator at the Albany Damien Center. Their role in the MPower! program is to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non-confirming/non-binary communities by providing affirming services that aim to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of LGB & TGNC individuals and families.