Finn’s Place, a trans and gender diverse community center, is hosting the Finn’s Place 1st Annual Bee Yourself Gala. Jonah Murray, Board President, says the night is not just about fundraising but bringing an understanding of the trans community. “This fundraising gala is about bringing awareness to the trans experience in Fort Worth and surrounding communities,” Murray said. “We are a one-year-old baby non-profit, but we are doing really important work and really niche work, and so this night is about highlighting trans performers and speakers and their experiences.”
The night will include a VIP hour from 6-7 p.m. to mingle with performers, guest speakers, and the Finn’s Place Board. From 7-9 p.m., attendees will enjoy dinner along with a lineup of performers and speakers including Jaime Esposito from Spectrum Ensemble, and drag performer Deja Dubois. The emcee is podcast host and local celebrity Tony Green. Speakers include Robyn “Pocahontas” Crowe, founder of House of Rebirth in Dallas, and the keynote Naomi Green, trans woman and activist.
Finn’s Place, a safe space for trans and gender diverse people, opened in April 2022 to foster trans joy and provide education to the community. Their namesake, Finn S., was a trans teenager who coined the phrase “Beeee Yourself.” Although the center is located next to LGTBQ-affirming Galileo Christian Church, Finn’s Place is not a religious space.
“Showing the importance of the work that Finn’s Place is doing by being able to bring everybody together like this, that’s really what Finn’s Place is about” Murray said. Services offered by the community center include free gender affirming haircut events, self-defense and yoga classes, social gatherings, and clothing swaps. The facility has a desire to offer virtual services so people who are unable to attend physically can still be a part of events.
The gala will be the biggest fundraising event of the year for Finn’s Place and is key to expanding their services. “We’re getting busier and busier as the months go on, so fundraising is going to be really crucial in our growth” Murray explained.
Table of 10 Sponsorships
Gold Sponsors – $5,000
Silver Sponsor – $3,500
Bronze Sponsor – $2,500
Table Sponsor – $1,000
Individual tickets – $100