Guest: Joshua Croke (they/them) — artist, designer, facilitator & founder of Love Your Labels

Joshua Croke is a queer urbanist and community-centered designer whose work sits at the intersection of equity, creative placemaking, and city life. They are the founder and president of Love Your Labels.

"Love Your Labels builds project-based art, fashion, and design programs for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and creates affirming, loving space for young people to be themselves and find community. Love Your Labels offers a program called Threads.

Threads is a fashion design and identity development program that empowers high school-age LGBTQ+ youth to explore and express their identities through fashion design. Our education team works with these young people to provide the language, tools, and support they need to build resilience and pride on their journey of self-discovery." Loveyourlabels.org
Through the Threads program Joshua and team have developed a highly anticipated annual fundraiser QueerAF, also known as the Queer Met Gala.

QueerAF is a fashion show that promotes designers from the Threads program as well as established designers. This years headline designer is none other than Utica Queen, who is a current contestant on Project Runway, and formerly RuPaul's Drag Race. QueerAF will also include another household name, Raja Gemini. Raja is a drag superstar, makeup artist, and podcaster. Fun fact, Raja and I share the same birthday! Hey twin!
QueerAF will also feature drag performances from local drag artists and will be a night you wont forget.
QueerAF is September 5th 7pm at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA and tickets are still available here: https://www.loveyourlabels.org/queer-af

Quick links & resources (mentioned)

• Joshua Croke - www.joshuacroke.com
• Queer for Cities - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2343505/follow
• Love Your Labels - https://www.loveyourlabels.org/
• Threads: Youth Fashion & Identity Program - https://www.loveyourlabels.org/threads-youth-fashion-program

If you would like to donate to Love Your Labels: https://www.loveyourlabels.org/sewimpactful
If you would like to get involved reach out to [email protected]

• Host: Molly — Local Threads
• Guest: Joshua Croke (they/them) — creator of Queer for Cities; Founder/President, Love Your Labels.
• Recorded & Produced By: Molly Amatangelo
• Music: Moby Gratis