The STAR Program was proud to join together with its PlaySure Prevention team and Adolescent Education Program, THEO — Teens Helping Each Other, and the HEAT Program for a powerful and joyful outreach experience at Brooklyn Pride. The event was a meaningful success, bringing our programs together in the heart of the community to celebrate pride, promote wellness, and connect people to care, education, and supportive resources.
Throughout the day, our teams had the opportunity to spend time with community members, families, youth, partners, and neighbors from across Brooklyn. Together, we shared information about HIV prevention, PrEP, PEP, DoxyPEP, STI care, mental health, wellness, and the many services available through our programs. More importantly, we created space for conversation, connection, affirmation, and trust.
Brooklyn Pride is more than a celebration. It is a reminder of the strength, beauty, and resilience of our LGBTQAI+ community and all who stand in support of health, equity, and inclusion. For STAR, THEO, and HEAT, showing up at Pride means showing up with care, respect, education, and access.
One of the highlights of the day was our interactive Pride photo booth experience, where community members were invited to celebrate themselves and take home a special keepsake photo. The photo booth became a space of joy, creativity, and self-expression — a place where people could be seen, celebrated, and reminded that they belong.
Our activity space also brought people together through hands-on Pride celebration moments, including temporary tattoos, skin paint, and colorful expressions of love, identity, and community pride. These activities helped create a welcoming and affirming environment where people could engage, learn, connect, and celebrate in a way that felt personal and joyful.
We are deeply grateful to the Brooklyn community for showing up with such energy, openness, and pride. Your presence made this event meaningful. Your stories, your smiles, your questions, and your connection are the reason this work matters.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to all STAR, THEO, and HEAT staff, volunteers, and team members who helped make this outreach event possible. From planning and setup to community engagement, education, photo booth support, resource sharing, and on-site coordination, your commitment helped create an experience rooted in care, dignity, and celebration.
To our beautiful Brooklyn community living loud and proud: thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you. Thank you for trusting us, connecting with us, and continuing to build a healthier, stronger, more affirming community together.
At STAR, we believe that everyone deserves access to compassionate care, accurate information, and spaces where they are welcomed exactly as they are.
You are valued.
You are celebrated.
You are perfect just the way you are.
To learn more about HIV prevention, PrEP, PEP, DoxyPEP, sexual health services, and community care, visit:
www.starprogram.nyc
