Churches United For Fair Housing (CUFFH) and Hands Off NYC threw a party Sunday for the Bushwick Latinx community to celebrate immigrant families and generate awareness for constitutional rights. Although the event is usually an outdoor block party, CUFFH moved it indoors to Xanadu Roller Arts due to rainy weather.

The venue was decked up in neon lights, metallic streamers and handmade ‘ICE OUT’ signs. Community members were in their Sunday best, with little girls running around in frilly skirts and adults in traditional South American attire. The organizers provided guests with free lunch, and access to roller skates for a spin on the course. The event welcomed people of all ages, seniors mingling with young adults and families creating memories together.

Gabriel Fantacone, CUFFH’s Deputy Director of Civic Engagement, spoke about how the organization usually throws an annual appreciation party for it’s members, and why it was important to have more this year. “We partnered with Hands Off, who we’ve worked with in the past— and we’re trying to spread more awareness about immigrant rights, have our community members engage with business owners who have been involved with housing advocacy and just overall letting people know they have access to resources.” Fantacone also shared that they had 324 volunteers signed up to work the event, and that both organizations were extremely pleased with the turn out. CUFFH is a grassroots advocacy organization founded in 2009 that provides affordable housing services and integrated social resources.

Hands Off NYC is a coalition that trains organizations, unions, faith leaders, and everyday people to protect their communities from ICE and stop the Trump administration’s consolidation of power. Jim from Hands Off, who preferred not to give his last name, said that gatherings like the ‘Know Your Rights’ party are a major hub for educating people about just how much power they truly hold. “We’ve trained about 2500 businesses in New York City, and each of them have been surprised at the fact that they can actually say ‘no.’” Hands Off trains volunteers free of cost and provides them with supplies such as ‘NO ICE’ cards to distribute to local businesses. The more volunteers there are, Jim said, the more people truly “know their rights.”

Overall, the event was extremely lively, and really felt like a celebration of the community. There were birthday parties going on simultaneously, which only added to the fun. Some independent charities were also invited to set up booths, including a fund selling jewellery to raise money for families affected by the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Most guests belonged to South American and Latinx communities, and CUFFH founder Rob Solano addressed them in Spanish. Fantacone summarised his remarks in English, after which Solano’s five-year-old daughter closed the event with a wave to the crowd.

LGBTQ+ business owners shared their experiences at the National LBGTQ+ & Allied Chamber of  Commerce New York’s 2026 Summit on Economic Impact at the Manhattan CUNY Graduate  Center last Wednesday. Queer entrepreneurs from all walks of life discussed how they came about  starting a business, the impact of representation and local community support.  

The event was led by Manhattan Borough president Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Barton L. Jackson II,  who was recently appointed as the Executive Director of the National LGBTQ+ and Allied  Chamber of Commerce New York. Hoylman-Sigal opened the summit by showing appreciation to  LGBTQ+ business leaders that drive our community forward. He focussed on the importance of  community, and described New York City as a “safe haven” to LGBTQ+ folk. He discussed the  recent book ban that has affected several American states, as well as the denial of basic human  rights to trans and queer children. He proclaimed that New York City will never be one where  queer folk are afraid to raise their children. New York City Comptroller Mark Levine also made an  appearance to greet speakers and guests.  

Hoylman-Sigal then introduced Steven Garibell and Christina Calisi to the stage, who spoke about what it means to be visible as an LGBTQ+ company. Garibell currently works as the Vice President of Business Development at TD Bank. Calisi is the founder of Christina Calisi casting. She was responsible for platforming the first ever trans casting professional on Broadway, which she  referred to as ‘her first moment of true success’. Calisi spoke about the power of impact, and expressed that she saw stepping into the spotlight as a means to create platforms for others like her. “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” She talked about the various challenges queer people 

face when it comes to casting- with the world asking questions like, “how do we know they’re  queer?”. Garibell emphasised the importance of community, and the impact of seeing diversity in  those who succeed. “Visibility isn’t vanity,” he said, “It is a double edged sword, and we have to  do the best we can to overcome the scarcity mindset and stand up for our community, for those  who do not have the same resources and opportunities.”  

Jeffery Garcia, the executive director of the New York City office of Nightlife, then introduced a  panel of LGBTQ+ business owners in the food & beverage industry. These individuals further  confirmed the vitality of community as small business owners belonging to a minority. Mario Vivas,  the owner of Criollas, a baked empanada restaurant in Columbus Circle, spoke about the  struggles of starting a business during the pandemic. “The most valuable thing I had then was the  advise of other small business owners in NYC.” Arnyce Foster-Hernandez, owner of Featuring The  Cafe, a gourmet coffee shop and community cornerstone in Harlem, spoke about the importance  of a woman owned, black owned, LGBTQ+ space in her small Harlem community. “Growing up,  there was zero diversity where I grew up, which is quite the opposite of how things are now,” said  Foster-Hernandez.  

Christopher Taylor, co-owner of Li-Lac Chocolates, admitted to feeling a weight on his back from  taking over a legacy company. Li-Lac Chocolates has been an NYC staple for over 103 years,  dubbed ‘the gay chocolate’ by generations past. Taylor spoke about the risk that came with  making changes to the branding that consumers have loved for decades, and how his community  truly came together to ensure the chocolate empire does not melt. He joked that he was  encouraged by his partner to take over ownership of the company,”I told him, ‘you don’t really  want me to have the company, you just want to eat the product.’”