On Saturday, May 21, the movers and shakers of various industries that intersect within the nightlife community in Brooklyn, New York, came together to celebrate one another's accomplishments -- and one another.
Curated by Brooklyn drag queen Merrie Cherry, the Brooklyn Nightlife Awards are a chance for a large-scale queer community to be recognized for individual work as creatives. Now in its fourth incarnation, the range of awards is widespread, from "Best Drag Queen" to "Best Fashion Designer" to "Best Visual Artist."
As HuffPost Queer Voices explored in the series "After Dark," nightlife acts as a major source of cultural production for a multitude of other industries, both within the context of the queer community and the fabric of our society as a whole. The BNAs provides a platform to recognize this.
"Who doesn't like a good excuse to dress up and show out?" Merrie Cherry told The Huffington Post. "That aside, I think it is important to represent the people and places that keep the Brooklyn queer scene alive. This isn't just a Brooklyn thing -- many people on a national and international level are on the pulse of our subculture we have created. The BNAs let them know who is killing the game in our community... I found my family in New York. I found my purpose. I will always love this community."
Check out the list of winners below, as well as a selection of photos courtesy of Cameron Cole.
Drag Queen of the Year: Aja
Best Event Producer: The Culture Whore
Best Fashion Designer: Bcalla
Hall of Fame: Thorgy Thor
Drag King of the Year: Goldie Peacock & K. James
Best Visual Artist: Diego Montoya
Best Bartender: John Lowther
Best Writer: JamesMichael Nichols
Best Circus Performer: Madame Vivien V
Best Drag Performance Show: Mondays on Mondays
Best Vocal Artist/Group: Macy Rodman
Best Burlesque/Boylesque Performer: Vic Sin
Best Event Photographer: Cameron Cole
Best Reason To Leave Brooklyn: Frankie's at The Jane
Best Bar/Club: Metropolitan Bar
Best Event Publisher: Next Magazine
Best Late Night Food Spot: Bagelsmith
Best Burlesque/Boylesuqe Show: Straight Acting
Best Social Media: Hamm Samwich
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
