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Rachel Gross

@riizzyray

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📍 nyc ✡️
🫶🏼 showing you all sides of disabled life
🌟co-creator of @inthisbodyproject
💌 [email protected]

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In This Body Project x Like Friends invites you to “Permission to Stare: An Open Burlesque Night”

Join us for an evening of extravaganza! Here, you’ll find beautiful people, sensual dancing, and electrifying music. We’ll be celebrating all types of people and bodies, and finding the beauty that exists within. Performances will feature individuals who are both new and seasoned in burlesque. Guests will be encouraged to challenge what they may think burlesque should look like. After all…what’s not to be desired?

INFORMATION:
When: December 1st, 2026
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Location: Beauty Bar
231 E 14th St
New York, NY 10003
Tickets: $25 Early Bird *until November 15th
$30 regular

Must be 21+ to attend
IDs will be checked prior to entrance

L!nk in b!o

✨

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Our second newsletter is out now. This month we talk about invisible disabilities, access to basic healthcare, and what’s in store for In This Body in the coming months.

Link in b!o!

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Meet @theaustinhalls!

Austin is a disabled pop star, model, creator, and inclusion advocate based in New York. He was born with Moebius Syndrome, a condition causing facial paralysis. He’s walked in New York Fashion Week, worked with brands like Google, performed in spaces connected to the GRAMMYs, and is a voting member of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy.

“I like making things that make people feel something. Music, fashion, photography, videos, whatever it is. My disability is part of my story, but it’s not the only interesting thing about me.”

Austin will be featured in the first edition of In This Body.

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WANTED: TAROT/PALM READER

We are still in search of a tarot/ palm reader to join us at our Open Burlesque Night!

DM @inthisbodyproject or email us at inthisbodyproject@gmail.com Wanted tarot/ palm readers for a burlesque show dec 1st 2026 DM in this body project for submission

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In our conversation with @farleyemmak, we spoke about how when it comes to dating a disabled person, many people already make up their minds about you before even getting to know you, and how devastating it can be to feel like you’re an immediate no just because you’re disabled.

Emma also spoke about how the film industry directly contributes to the way society sees disabled people, and what ways she thinks the industry can improve to support disabled talent.

Emma’s full interview and photoshoot will be available to read in the first edition of In This Body.

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Meet Emma! @farleyemmak

Emma Farley, originally from Wisconsin, now lives in Bushwick and is working towards her Master’s in Social Work. You can usually find her in a used bookstore or library, at Taco Bell, taking pictures around her neighborhood, or spending too much money on art supplies. If it’s Saturday night, Emma can probably be spotted dancing the night away to classic disco hits at Beauty Bar on the LES.

““I didn’t need convincing to be part of this project. Disability justice, sex, art, and being in the spotlight are all interests of mine, so it was an easy yes.”

Emma will be featured in the first edition of In This Body.

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Check out our first newsletter for free on substack!

See what we’ve been up to, our progress, Rachel’s reflections, and upcoming events! All very exciting things with more to come!

Link in b!o!

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This week I had the honor of cohosting a panel and cocktail event at @positiveexposure surrounded by so many of my friends, colleagues, and people I deeply respect in this industry. And if there is one thing that was incredibly clear in that room, it’s this: disabled people belong in fashion. Full stop. And we’re just getting started. 🔥 Photos by @averry.l

We cannot say we champion inclusivity without including disabled voices in the conversation.

I go to fashion events constantly, and more often than not, I rarely see another physically disabled person in the room. When Jillian and I started talking about that, we knew we wanted to create the kind of event we wished we saw more often. One where our disabled friends, creatives, advocates, and industry professionals weren’t an afterthought, but an integral part of the room and the conversation.

And looking around that night at a room filled with people I admire, respect, and am lucky enough to call friends was incredibly special. Our incredible panel was moderated by @jennikatejen @harpersbazaar 🩷 and included @margo_gignac @onehandedoverdressed @jill_ilana

Representation isn’t just about who we see in campaigns. It’s about who gets invited into the room, who gets heard, who gets hired, who gets celebrated, and who gets to help shape where fashion goes next.

Thank you to @francesvalentine @gaiam @freixienet @glamsquad @sweetercollective @positiveexposure @averry.l and my amazing group of friends for helping us bring this evening to life and supporting a space where disabled voices belong.

Because we do belong here.🔥🩷

#DisabilityRepresentation #DisabledInFashion #AdaptiveFashion #FashionInclusion DisabilityVisibility

disabled people in fashion.disability representation.fashion accessibility.inclusive fashion.adaptive fashion.disabled creatives.disabled voices in fashion.fashion industry inclusion.disability visibility.accessible fashion event

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PERFORMERS WANTED FOR AN OPEN BURLESQUE NIGHT

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting our first ever ✨Open Burlesque: New Talent Night✨

If you are new at burlesque or have always wanted to give it a try this is your chance! No experience required. ALL PERFORMERS WELCOME. We highly encourage disabled individuals to apply but this is open to everyone and anyone. The venue will be wheelchair accessible as well as the performance area.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

DM @inthisbodyproject or EMAIL US at inthisbodyproject@gmail.com

✨ Include a brief introduction of yourself, your experience with burlesques, if any.

✨ What song you would use for your performance.

✨ Any accommodations you need for your performance.

**This is not a paid gig**

More information and official event announcement to come!
#burlesque #nyc #opencall

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so… surprise 🧡

forever amazed to be in the company of the coolest women… and especially excited to finally announce this @disabledand update 🫶

#accomplishmentcake #disabledcommunity #achievement #disabilityawareness

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In our conversation with @eloisepanda, we spoke about being a disabled educator in NYC and what kinds of impacts she wants to make on her students, how art has influenced her lifestyle, and how she navigates conversations as a disabled person about intimacy with potential partners.

Eloise’s full interview and photoshoot will be featured in the first edition of In This Body.

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Meet Eloise! @eloisepanda

Eloise Pillarella is a middle school math and science teacher who recently moved to Manhattan. She loves to draw, read, spend time with friends and family, and explore New York City- especially art museums and parks. She’s passionate about education and disability rights.

“It means a lot to me to be part of a project that highlights the strength, beauty and vibrancy of the disability community. I’m proud to be part of this community and I’m always thankful for the friendships and connections I get to share with other disabled individuals.”

Eloise will be featured in the first edition of In This Body.

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