In Our Own Voices

10/12/2026

In honor of PrEP Awareness Week, join us for a night of music, education, performances, and fun at our October Sexversations for All: Sexy Skelebration! 💀✨

Get into the Halloween spirit and come dressed in your best costume, enjoy free food, and pick up tools and resources to help you stay safe while you’re out celebrating Halloweekend. 🦇

Featuring special performances by DJ Jonesy, Queenie Royale, and other special guests!

🗓️ Thursday, October 22nd | 6–8 PM
📍 Ophelia’s | 388 Broadway, 1st Floor, Albany, NY 12207

10/11/2026

It’s a Sapphic Spooky Movie Night! 🎬 For this special spooky season edition, join Project Violet for a screening of the cult classic Vamp, starring the iconic Grace Jones! 🧛🏾‍♀️

🗓️ Wednesday, October 21st | 6:00 PM
📍 YWCA | 21 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180

Project Violet is a discussion and social group for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary individuals, offering a welcoming space to connect, build community, and have conversations that center and affirm women’s experiences.

Come as you are, we’ll have the movie and snacks covered! 🍿

10/09/2026

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 💜

Domestic violence affects people in all types of relationships, including LGBTQ+ relationships, and can impact safety, well-being, and independence.

At In Our Own Voices, we recognize that LGBTQ+ BIPOC survivors have unique needs around the ways we heal, grieve, seek safety, and pursue justice after experiencing violence. We stand with survivors and remain committed to creating communities where everyone feels seen, heard, supported, and safe.

This October, join our Anti-Violence Services team for three free community events focused on healing, self-defense, and financial safety. Together, we can build connection, confidence, and support for LGBTQ+ survivors. 💜

📓 October 17th: In Our Own Words: Using Journaling to Heal from Trauma
💪 October 25th: No Fear, Just Fierce: Self-Defense 101
💰 October 26th: Love Shouldn’t Cost You... Financial Safety 101

Check out the graphic for event details and scan the QR codes to register!

Through our work, In Our Own Voices is dedicated to creating spaces centered on healing, empowerment, safety, and connection in our communities.

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

CATEGORY IS… THE 4TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN BALL! 🎃

Albany, come werk the runway! This Halloween, we’re honoring iconic horror movies, TV shows, and villains with a night of Ballroom, community, and thousands of dollars in cash prizes and trophies! 🏆💰

From Candyman and Carrie to Freddy vs. Jason, Child’s Play, American Horror Story, Thriller vs. The Walking Dead, and more—the categories are set, and it’s time to bring your best to the floor.

Whether you’re walking, representing your house, or coming to watch the competition, you don’t want to miss this one. 🔥

FREE EVENT | 18+ | OPEN TO ALL�📅 Friday, October 30th, 2026�🚪 Doors Open: 7:00 PM | LSS: 7:30 PM�📍 Hilton Albany | 40 Lodge St., Albany, NY

🎤 Commentator: Legendary Karma Versace�🎧 DJ: DJ Rick Ricki
🎥 Photo Production: Klipz by Kay

But the Ball isn’t all we have planned. 👀 In recognition of PrEP Aware Week, we’ll have an HIV testing campaign leading up to the Ball, with an opportunity for houses to compete for our Community Engagement Award.

More category details, testing information, and announcements are coming soon. Be on the lookout… and ENTER IF YOU DARE!

Facebook Event for full details & updates: https://www.facebook.com/share/19yYjaLUzz/

10/06/2026

Whether you’re thinking about your next move professionally or ready for some real conversation, check out what’s coming up with YMSM:

Whether you’re thinking about your next move professionally or ready for some real conversation, check out what’s coming up with YMSM:

💼 Girl, I’m Looking for Trade
📅 October 15th | 5–7 PM
Swipe through some dating app profiles and see if they have the kind of trade/profession we’re looking for. Explore a variety of careers and learn about their education requirements, certifications, and lifestyles, and maybe discover a career path that catches your eye.

🎃 Sexversations for Him: Trick or Trade?
📅 October 29th | 6–8 PM
Real talk: What does “trade” even mean anymore? We’re getting into where the word came from, how its meaning has changed, and what it says about masculinity, desire, discretion, and the lines we draw between “straight” and “gay.”

Our YMSM programming creates space for young men of color to connect with resources, support, and conversations centered around their experiences.

From getting to the bag to getting into what’s tea, there’s something for you this October.

10/05/2026

Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t over yet! 🌎✨ Celebrated each year from September 15th through October 15th, there’s still time to come together and celebrate our cultures, communities, and connections.

Join us for two FREE community events as we close out Hispanic Heritage Month!

🃏 Lotería: Family Game Night / Noche de Lotería en Familia
📅 October 14th | 5:30–7:30 PM
Join us for a fun-filled evening of Lotería! This free, bilingual family game night is open to anyone ages 16+, bringing community together for an evening of games, food, and prizes (no cash prizes). No experience needed. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!

Evento bilingüe y gratuito | Abierto a todas las personas 16+ | Juegos, comida, premios (no premios en efectivo) y comunidad

❤️ National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day Testing
📅 October 15th | 1–4 PM
Know your status and take care of your sexual health! Stop by for FREE, confidential HIV testing and connect with our Interventions team for sexual health information, resources, and support.

10/01/2026

Join us for our annual Coming Out for Family Dinner in celebration of National Coming Out Day! 🏳️‍🌈✨

Come together over a free dinner, good conversation, and community as we celebrate and explore the experiences of coming out to family as a person of color.

📅 Friday, October 9th | 6–8 PM
📍 247 Lark St, Albany, NY

Come as you are and join us at the table! 💙

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coming-out-for-family-dinner-tickets-2000993086186

09/30/2026

October at In Our Own Voices 🍂 🎃 🏳️‍🌈

October is LGBTQ+ History Month and National Domestic Violence Awareness Month—a month to honor our histories, uplift our communities, raise awareness, and continue creating spaces for connection, safety, and wellness.

Throughout the month, we’ll also recognize National Coming Out Day and PrEP Awareness Week, alongside a full month of programs, workshops, testing opportunities, community gatherings, and more. 🧡

Take a look through our upcoming events to see what’s happening each week ➡️

09/16/2026

🎉 UPDATED TIME — LIFE AFTER 50 BINGO NIGHT! 🎉

Grab a friend and join Life After 50 for a FREE Bingo Night for LGBTQ+ folks ages 50 and older!

Whether you’re a Bingo pro or haven’t played in years, come ready to have some fun, meet new people, and maybe even go home with a prize!🏆

📅 Monday, September 28th
⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 247 Lark Street, Albany, NY
🎟️ FREE — with prizes!

You asked, we listened! 📣✨We’ve updated the time for our upcoming Life After 50 Bingo Night to give everyone a little more time to get here, settle in, and enjoy the evening.

🚪 Doors open at 5:00 PM, with the first ball called at 5:30 PM!

For more information, call 518-432-4188 and ask for Phil, our Chief Operating Officer.