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community, as well as opportunities for political and educational activities. They really came together as a group in planning the First Annual BSCC Gay and Lesbian Berkshire Festival in April 1996, held at Seven Hills in Lenox. They weren’ t sure at that point how the wider Berkshire community would respond. BSCC was blown away by the support and participation. Since then, we’ ve put on many events, including( but not limited to) festivals, dances, film screenings, concerts, open mic poetry readings, potluck dinners, book clubs, support groups, panel discussions, and community dialogues.
I joined the board in early 2020. I was voted co-vice president of the board( alongside Ray Garnett) in November 2020. I am now board president and the first Black trans woman to hold the position in the Berkshires. This is a very big honor for me.
This is Berkshire Stonewall’ s 25th year as an organization. This year, we intend to celebrate radical queer joy and bring back some of our legacy events, alongside some new events with our community partners. Some of our current events and collaborations with our affiliates include: several monthly trans support group meetings( with Berkshire Trans Group), a bi-monthly book club( Berkshire Booked and Queer), Queeraoke, LGBTQ Game Night, and more. Our full calendar is on our website, berkshirestonewall. org, and I can guarantee you’ re going to want to join our mailing list to hear about what we’ ve got coming up.
I want to personally commend North Adams Pride( an affiliate organization of Berkshire Stonewall) for organizing the Northern Lights Ball in early March, tickets for which were completely sold out at over 400 attendees. One of the things about that evening that was so special to me was the introduction to the ballroom scene and seeing Berkshire residents walking in the various categories. It meant so much to me to see a part of queer culture
that was started by specifically Black and Brown trans people in New York City in the’ 70s. To see that brought to the Berkshires feels absolutely incredible.
I also want to give a personal recommendation for how to find those amazing nightlife events. DJ BFG( Gabby Squalia) has been a friend of mine for years, and she gives it to you every ball. Any event where Gabby is spinning the records is going to be an amazing time!
We are living through a time when the queer people, especially trans people, are facing a lot of political threats and increased discrimination. Now more than ever, it’ s time to make sure we are visible. We are here, we’ ve always been here, and we will always be here. We will continue to shine like the radiant sunshine that illuminates our rainbow-hued Berkshire Hills. Join us, won’ t you? n— JV Hampton-VanSant, president,
Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition
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New England Premiere
KEN LUDWIG’ S DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE
MAY 26 – JULY 30
THE CONTENTION: HENRY VI, PART II by William Shakespeare JUNE 17 – JULY 15
AUGUST WILSON’ S FENCES
JULY 22 – AUGUST 27
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’ S DREAM by William Shakespeare AUGUST 1 – SEPTEMBER 10
GOLDA’ S BALCONY by William Gibson
Featuring Annette Miller
AUGUST 5 – 20
A Staged Reading
HAMLET by William Shakespeare
SEPTEMBER 1 – 3
World Premiere
LUNAR ECLIPSE by Donald Margulies
SEPTEMBER 15 – OCTOBER 22
( 413) 637-3353
SHAKESPEARE. ORG
May / June 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 71