Be Here! Be YOU!

Joy Skate Productions welcomes YOU to a celebratory fun-raiser with skating and dancing. Be Here! Be YOU! is a charitable event supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and will be held at The Skating Club of Boston in Norwood, MA. General Admission is $40, Students $10 (with high school or college ID) and includes parking, DJ, hot chocolate, rental skates, and a skating session. Other Club amenities include cash bar, café and gender-neutral restrooms are available.

Host, Randy Gardner 

Randy Gardner is a World and National Champion and an Olympic Pairs Figure Skater. His illustrious life has been captured in the documentary Go Figure: The Randy Gardner Story. Randy’s journey to overcome the obstacles life has thrown at him and rise to the top of his sport is truly compelling. The speaking program that he has created inspires participants to never give up no matter the immediate circumstances of life. Randy knows firsthand that negative situations can be turned into positive triumphs by reframing and adapting oneself. Using the tools that got him through the many obstacles and challenges of his life, he speaks to and educates his own and future generations on how to create a powerful career and personal life.

Guest of Honor, Maria Semnack RN, BSN

Maria Semnack has been a clinical nurse for 19 years. From 2008 to present she has worked within the field of cancer and chest/ breast reconstruction then transitioned her focus to gender affirming surgical care, an area where she felt she could make a great impact. Maria is currently the clinical nurse for the Center for Gender Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital. She prides herself on providing safe spaces and quality inclusive care for transgender people undergoing affirming surgery, ages 15-35. Maria’s career is not just focused on patient care, but has dedicated herself to being an ally in all aspects of life. Her commitment is evidenced by her passion for educating many communities within the hospital and at outside arenas as well, giving upwards of 40 talks annually about the importance of inclusivity. She has presented locally and regionally at conferences about the work the center does. Maria is a recipient of the 2020 IDEA grant, which is funding her own research examining the parent’s perspective of their transgender child throughout the surgical process. Her research is ongoing.

Benefitting Organization, Boston Children’s Hospital Center for Gender Surgery

Boston Children’s Hospital Center for Gender Surgery is a resource for folks ages 15-35 planning affirming therapy/surgeries. These funds will be used to meet emerging patient needs, including patient education, staff education, and continued patient-centered research.

Live Performance by Mizery McRae

Mizery McRae is one of Boston’s premiere gender illusionists.

Live Performance by Milk

Milk is an American drag performer and fashion model who came to international attention on the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

DJ Brian Halligan

Brian Halligan is a veteran of Boston nightlife. He has deejayed locally at Legacy, Machine, Oberon, The Alley, Club Cafe, Jacque’s Underground, Midway Cafe, and the Middlesex Lounge, both solo and as a guest DJ at FUZZ, Serving Face, Houseboi, Grassfed Disco, Boyfriends, Superstition, Group Hug, Traniwreck and Solid Gold Tea at Provincetown’s Boatslip, and held a residency at Cirque/Pub 47 Central for 2 years.

Joy Skate Productions was founded in 2018 by Elin Schran, with a mission to make the joy of skating accessible to all. The company produces professional quality shows with low or no ticket price and provides instructive and creative clinics and workshops for every level, ability, and age. joyskateproductions.com

The Skating Club of Boston is one of the oldest skating clubs in the country and has recently opened a brand new, state-of-the-art training facility in Norwood, MA. Be Here! Be YOU! will take place on an Olympic-size ice surface in the Tenley E. Albright Performance Center. Advertising opportunities are available for sponsors on the Daktronics overhead display, and can be arranged by contacting Joy Skate Productions. For more information about the facility, please visit scboston.org.