LGBTQ+ Listening Library at Bethany Arts Community

LGBTQ+ Listening Library with Hudson Valley Queer Collective & Ossining LGBTQ+ Collective
June 5 – July 11, 2025
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM & Select Saturdays: June 7 & 14 10AM-4PM
Opening Celebration: Friday, June 13, 2025 5-7PM

QUEER ART IS QUEER POWER. QUEER POWER IS GAY LIBERATION.

Welcome to the LGBTQ+ Listening Library – a celebration of LGBTQ+ Artists past present and future. The project that started in my home is now a growing collection for all to revel in the beauty and power of queer music.

Discover and Celebrate
Browse through our extensive collection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes featuring legendary artists and emerging talents. From the powerful anthems that shaped a movement to the innovative sounds pushing boundaries today, immerse yourself in the music that has been a vital part of the LGBTQ+ community’s legacy.

Experience the Legacy
This exhibit is not just about listening—it’s about experiencing the history and influence of queer musicians. Discover the stories behind the music, learn about the artists who have made significant contributions, and celebrate the creativity and resilience of LGBTQ+ musicians.

Interactive and Inclusive
We encourage you to engage with the exhibit, explore the music, and share your own experiences and discoveries. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to the sounds of queer musicians, there is something here for everyone. First time using vinyl? No prob! Just ask a staff member for assistance! Thank you for joining us in celebrating the power of music and the incredible contributions of LGBTQ+ artists. Enjoy your journey through the LGBTQ+ Listening Library!

About The Curator

Christina Picciano is a queer musician, activist, and community organizer from Ossining, New York. Her work lives at the intersection of art and advocacy, using music and grassroots organizing to inspire and uplift the LGBTQ+ community across Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, she fronts the punk band All My Friends, exploring themes of queerness, resilience, and identity. Her latest full-length album, funded by an ArtsWestchester Arts Alive grant, merges raw punk energy with a deep commitment to social justice, accessibility, and LGBTQ+ empowerment.

She is also a recipient of the Creatives Rebuild New York Artist Employment Grant, which supported her two-year residency at The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center. There, she developed and led community arts programs such as Queer Voices—a platform for LGBTQ+ musicians of all ages—and LOFT Night Out, a monthly event celebrating queer nightlife and culture. During that time she created the LGBTQ+ Social Justice in Art, Music, and Media, an educational workshop that explores queer representation and activism through the arts. This workshop became the catalyst for the LGBTQ+ Listening Library.

She is currently developing the Hudson Valley Queer Collective, a growing initiative to support queer artists and inclusive arts events throughout the region.