Name: Collar City Pride Swann Ball
Start: 2026-08-23T04:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-23T08:59:00+00:00
Location: Masonic Lodge

Description

The Swann Ball honors BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ icon, William Dorsey Swann, America's first self-proclaimed Drag Queen and first documented gay rights activist. This semi-formal event encourages attendees to dress in their best swan-inspired attire for a chance to compete in a costume contest and win prizes! The doors open at 7 pm with a cash bar, music, and passed hors d'oeuvres, and our speaking program begins at 8 pm, leading into our performances and contests at 9 pm, and the event ends by 10:30 pm.

The proceeds from the Swann Ball will go to support Collar City Pride's opening of their Downtown Troy LGBTQIA2S+ Community Center! This center will house our Rainbow Bridging Case Management program, weekly groups, monthly meetups, and a hub for our queer community of Rensselaer County.

Date & Time

Sat, Aug 22, 2026 7:00 PM - 11:59 PM

Venue Details

Masonic Lodge

19 3rd Street
Troy, New York 12180

Collar City Pride, INC.

Our Mission

Collar City Pride is an organization led by LGBTQIA2+ folks providing care, community, and training around substance-use services specific to the queer community. At Collar City Pride, we foster a vibrant and inclusive Rensselaer County that celebrates diversity, promotes acceptance, and empowers LGBTQIA2+ folks.

Through advocacy, education, and training, we strive to create a safe and supportive environment where we can live authentically and thrive. In the long term, we aspire to open Rensselaer County's first inpatient substance use treatment center geared specifically towards transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals.

We are committed to offering LGBTQ+ affirming, peer-based harm reduction services, a yearly pride festival in Troy, and organizing events that promote connection and celebration within our community.