FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When and where is the TCC Phantoms & Flora Gala being held?
Triangle Community Center’s Phantoms & Flora Gala is being held from 6 - 11pm on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s (2748 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT).
Who can attend the Gala?
We are inclusive of all ticket holders and are serving alcohol. This is a 21 and over event.
How do I buy tickets?
You can purchase tickets at the following link: https://cbo.io/tickets/tccgala2024/tickets
What should I wear?
This year's theme of Phantoms & Flora celebrates queerness, Halloween, and nature. We encourage you to dress in your most creative gala attire that resonates with your relationship with plants, nature, Halloween, and fantasy! We ask that guests are mindful of cultural appropriation, insensitive stereotypes, and portrayals of body differences when choosing costumes. Please refrain from bringing props that could be confused with weapons.
How do I get there?
The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s (2748 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT)
From I-95 North Take exit 9 toward US-1/CT-106/Glenbrook Road. Turn left onto Seaside Avenue. Turn right onto E Main Street. Continue onto Boston Post Road. Just past the third traffic light, the destination will be on your right.
From I-95 South Take exit 9 for US-1 toward CT-106/Glenbrook. Turn left onto US-1 N/E Main St. Continue onto Boston Post Road. Just past the third traffic light, the destination will be on your right after the bridge. There will be complimentary valet parking.
What accessibility services are in place?
This year's gala event including welcome hour, auction, dinner, and entertainment, will be held on one ground level floor. A restroom is available on this floor with additional restrooms available via elevator. American Sign Language interpreters will be present throughout the speaking portion of the program and closed captioning will be including in all video presentations.
2024 Gala Honorees
LGBTQ+ LEADERSHIP AWARD
Juancarlos Soto - Executive Director of New Haven Pride Center
Juancarlos (he/him or el) has spent the last twelve years organizing in the Latine, LGBTQ+, and Immigrant communities, having previously worked at JUNTA for Progressive Action and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Juancarlos moved to New Haven with his family – a city with which he instantly fell in love with. Juancarlos is eager to bring support, advocacy, and growth to our vibrant LGBTQ+ community and the New Haven Pride Center where he hopes to help build an inclusive, thriving community for all of Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ people.
Juancarlos is a founding member of the Black and Brown Queer Camp, a Summer Camp for LGBTQ+ Black and Brown Youth. A member of the board of directors of Puerto Ricans United Inc and has been the recipient of numerous awards including, Latino Leadership Award, and a Dorothy Award . He is also an artist who uses his art as a tool for activism.
LGBTQ+ LEADERSHIP AWARD
Marcus Brown - Executive Director of Bridgeport Pride Center
Marcus (he/him) proudly serves as a State Representative representing Connecticut's 127th Assembly district in Bridgeport and serves as the interim Executive Director for the newly opened Bridgeport Pride Center. A proud Bridgeport native and LGBTQ+ champion in politics, community activism, and supportive services, Marcus has demonstrated immense leadership and dedication to his community, fighting to create spaces where young queer Bridgeporters can flourish and thrive.
INTERSEX VISIBILITY AWARD
Robyn Schlesinger - Leonard Litz Foundation, Westchester County LGBTQ+ Advisory Board
Dr. Robyn Schlesinger (she/her) is an attorney who works extensively with the
LGBTQI+ community, nonprofit and public sectors, and higher education. Robyn
also consults with businesses, schools, and organizations to create inclusive
workplaces and environments. She is the director of LGBTQIA+ programs,
resources, innovation, development, and engagement (PRIDE) for Westchester
Jewish Community Services (WJCS), the parent organization of Center Lane for
LGBTQ+ Youth.
Robyn is a trustee of The Leonard-Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation, where she
spearheads their TransPLUS initiative, a director with The LOFT LGBTQ+
Community Center in White Plains, serves on Westchester County’s LGBTQ
Advisory Board, the Westchester County Police Reform Task Force, and the 9 th
Judicial District Access to Justice LGBTQ+ Subcommittee. Her career in
nonprofit/higher education development and law has included senior management
roles with the University of California, Berkeley, the San Diego Zoo, Singapore
Management University, Westchester Community College, and Western
Connecticut State University.
Robyn was graduated from Harvard College with an AB cum laude, received her
JD from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and her EdD from
Manhattanville University.
Thank You To All Of Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a Phantoms & Flora Gala sponsor?
Contact us at gala@ctpridecenter.org to learn more!
Contact us at gala@ctpridecenter.org to learn more!