Sorry its been so quiet – we have some news and events to share with you all. Two of our board members, Nick and Chala have resigned from the board. We would like to thank them for their numerous contributions to TarabNYC including Member Stories and Community Meetings, both of which we hope to continue in their absence. With this change, the board has adopted a new board structure – which we hope will allow for more community-led programming and help us better achieve our mission. We hope to share more about this in the coming weeks. Remember TarabNYC is a community based organization and we can’t do this work without you.
alQaws Benefit Show x NYC – 12/4
Come join us for a night of performances to raise funds to help bring together and support Palestinian Queers across borders. This past year, alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society has seen enormous growth in Palestine in terms of visibility and impact, and at the same time, alQaws leadership has been dealing with vicious societal and state violence since August this year. Tickets
OutSummit Lunch with LGBTQIA MENA Activists – 12/7
OutSummit is the one-day conference that brings together international and US-based activists for a day of panels and workshops on human rights relating to sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex issues. Tarab NYC is hosting a Queer MENA lunch with activists from the MENA region. Community Members Only Event – RSVP Required
Community Led Potluck – 12/8
We are hosting a community potluck! This is an opportunity for members of the Tarab NYC community to meet and get to know each other outside the context of formal meetings, while sharing food, music, and playing games! RSVP
A Very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Tarab NYC Mixer – 12/16
Its the end of the year – come out and celebrate whether you observe Christmas, Haunukah, the Winter Solstice. something else or even nothing at all. Come one, come all to A Very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Tarab NYC Mixer. More info!
We Are Presenting At Creating Change! Jan 15-19
We are presenting at Creating Change, the nation’s largest conference on LGBTQ issues. This year, the conference will be held in Dallas, TX where we will be hosting the Queer MENA Caucus and will be presenting our workshop: Challenging Orientalism From a Queer Human Rights Perspective. If you happen to be attending – please email us! Learn More!
Tarab NYC is proud to sponsor this event organized by Columbia Global Centers – Amman. This event is part of a year-long 10 event series celebrating the Columbia Global Centers’ 10th anniversary
Challenging the rules that have governed the Arab region for decades, Arab queer filmmakers are adopting creative, non-conventional approaches to share their stories, building pathways between otherwise isolated minorities. In the wake of the Arab Spring, they have stepped forward to take part in a transnational dialogue on democracy, liberty and reform, hoping to shape the way towards equality and recognition of LGBTQ rights in the region.
This panel will engage five emerging LGBTQ filmmakers from the Arab world in a meaningful discussion on the role of Arab queer cinema in shaping and giving voice to the Arab LGBTQ community. Panelists will explore how emerging Arab queer cinema is engaging with the region’s turbulent socio-political arena, while drawing on their personal journeys, creative expressions, and motivations.
Panelists include Rolla Selbak, Sam Abbas, Cyrine Hammemi & Anthony Chidiac. Moderated by Samar Habib and introductary remarks by Safwan M. Masri.
Seating is limited and first come, first served. Advance registration does not guarantee seating; early arrival is suggested.
On Saturday, August 17th, (12-7) a whole bunch of Arab, Middle Eastern, & North African Queers will be taking over the northern part of RIIS beach, and this guide will answer any questions you might have:
How Can I Help? Thanks for asking! Send an email to Bashar Makhay, and we’ll make sure you have something to do. We could use all the help we can get, including set up, tear down, transportation, etc. (9AM HELP Desperately Needed.)
What Should I Bring?
Beach blankets or chairs (you need something to relax on)
Sunglasses (Only if you want to see, it’s going to be sunny hunny)
Sunscreen (No you do not have magic skin that does not burn)
Snacks (There will be concession stands, but they’re expensive. Bring something to share!)
Drinks (Try to avoid glass, it’s not allowed on the beach and nobody wants to get cut)
Plenty of water (Stay hydrated boo.)
Ice (Not the immigration assholes, frozen water, oh and bring a cooler to keep it in)
Plastic Cups/Plates (Ya know, so you can share)
Games (Beach Ball, Tawle, Card Decks, oh girl you should bring twister.)
Towels (duh) & a beach blanket or sheet to lay on.
That sexy swimsuit of yours. (you know, that one that makes everyone come to your yard.)
$5, (Now this event is free but does cost a bit to produce, a donation of $5 or more is welcomed and appreciated.) 🙂
What Should I NOT Bring?
Grills are not allowed. (Unless they are on your teeth, that’s cool)
Glass Containers
Pets, they can’t be on the beach unless they are Service Dogs. (Unless you sneak them in and nobody says anything – it happens)
How Do I Get to Jacob Riis Beach? Subway/Bus:***THERE ARE NO 123 TRAINS THIS WEEKEND*** While Google Maps will give the best directions and the MTA will always provide the most up to date information on train status, we recommend the following when using mass transit..
For most people: Get to a Brooklyn bound “5” train to Flatbush Ave, then take Q35 (Near Target) to Jacob RIIS Beach. OR “A” train to Shuttle to Far Rockaway to the last stop (116th Street) then transfer to the Q22 or Q35 Bus to Jacob RIIS Beach 149th Street.
Queens: From Woodside take the B53 bus to Rockaway and transfer to the Q22 to Jacob RIIS Beach.
North Brooklyn: B46 or B44 (Williamsburg) B47 (Bushwick) Bus to Flatbush Ave, then transfer to Q35 to Jacob RIIS Beach.
Keep an eye on the Weekender to anticipate any planned subway outages!
Car: Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 11S, then Flatbush Avenue south across the Marine Parkway Bridge (toll) to the park. Alternate: Woodhaven Boulevard to Cross Bay Boulevard, then west on Beach Channel Drive to the park. Parking is $10. For best directions visit Google Maps.
Ferry & Shuttle Bus: Check out the NYC Ferry with pickups at Wall Street and Sunset Park – though we recommend you take the Wall Street Ferry as it fills quickly. Take the ferry to Rockaway park then get on the free shuttle bus to Jacob Riis. Costs $2.75 per trip.
How Do I Find Everyone Once I’m at the Beach? When you arrive to the beach, head north/east (when you face the beach, north/east is left boo boo), towards the end of the beach before you see houses that start at 149th Street. Look out for Middle Eastern and North African flags, canopies and listen for Arabic music, you can’t miss us! We will be sending locations the closer we get to the date.
I heard Riis beach changed and there is a large police presence now… Our area is still queer and amazing, but since the introduction of Riis Beach Bazaar we have been inundated with police harassing beach goers in the queer beach area. Luckily, communities have come together and have formed cop watch groups and have created guides like these: Staying Safe at Jacob Riis Beach & Staying Safe & Sexy at The Queer Beach. Members of the Tarab NYC community have been keeping an eye on this and have been at the beach volunteering long hours bathing in the sun making sure that the space is safe and overall, it has been pretty great, especially since Cop Watch Units have begun patrolling the area.
While at TOTB, Shaku Maku? Honey, you made it, enjoy yourself, set yourself up in or near the Tarab NYC area, enjoy all the sexiness around you and have an amazing time! Party ends at sunset, which means we will be packed up by sunset and lingering around and saying good bye to each other numerous times until we actually leave. For more information about RIIS beach visit the NY Harbor Parks website.
