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Snowball is all about growing our community — not by handing out toasters in exchange for recruits — but by celebrating achievements, not only in the trans world, but in the greater world.  Since its first event, in an attic room above the Coastal Kitchen, Snowball has called out to LGBT activists around the world and politicians who have made a difference.  

 Ingersoll Gender Center is a place where transformations often happen.  It’s only proper that it’s annual party should be held in an auspicious location.  This year, the venue for Snowball on December 12, is all new — the glamorous Café Metropolitain at 1701 E. Olive Way on Capitol Hill.   For a mere $9,  you can enjoy the full flavor  of a Parisian café and an in-Seine evening.   (You don’t have to be French to get the last pun, but it helpsJ)

This year, you can stroll the streets of Paris,  bite down on some refreshments, and dance the night away as usual. Snowball has reeled off its annual holiday event at a diverse selection of  venues over the past few decades.    Through the years  Snowball grew from a “need to party” to a primary fundraising activity for Ingersoll. “The first year, we celebrated in the attic of someone’s house,” says Ingersoll founder, Marsha Botzer.

It began as a reason to party. A community forced to keep its head down, challenged to find a reason to celebrate, and driven to change, had few reasons to mark the early setting sun that obliged others to bring out the decorations and the champagne. In the early 1980s, gender identity was as obscure as the idea of sending information from one desktop computer to another. Sure there were those of us closeted in our basement, tapping a 300-baud modem to connect to a large mainframe in Columbus, Ohio, and experience this weird thrill called email. But there were fewer of us who could think of going to a classy formal party dressed as in our dreams. “It was time for everyone to celebrate,” recalls Ingersoll Gender Center founder Marsha Botzer. Celebrate we did. The little party that began in a small attic space, developed into more than a celebration. Snowball, Ingersoll’s annual Gender Gala became the non-profit organization’s primary fund raiser. This year’s party is scheduled for December 12 at the beautiful Metropolitan Café on Capitol Hill. As usual, Snowball features a diversity of entertainment, greeting old friends, and celebration of those who have helped Ingersoll reach its current state of success. Again, this year’s celebration fills a need to celebrate good times when all around us there is challenge. However, in view of the world’s economic situation, ticket prices this year are at a record low level of just $9.