House of Scorpio > Start here!
House of Scorpio is the sister company of Gemini and Scorpio, legendary NYC event producers of immersive themed costume parties. HoS is a femme- and queer-owned sex-positive community creating safe space and promoting equal rights for people of all genders and orientations, and seeking to modernize cultural attitudes and norms around gender, relationship modalities & sexuality. Our goal is to bring the historically splintered shades of that rainbow into one colorful whole. We host plenty of playful events, but we put community first, with classes, movie nights & socials. We also have an ongoing love affair with all things nerdy and engage in advocacy for LGBTQIA+ issues and sex worker rights.
How does it work?
HoS hosts most events on a monthly rotation, escalating each month from social to makeouts to a play party, plus a handful that rotate quarterly and select one-offs -- so sometimes as many as nine parties in one month! Never been or don't know what to expect? Start at the Taste The Rainbow mixer. Love getting playful with strangers? Start at Lip Service, our famous makeout party. But even if you've done all the play parties under the sun, we do NOT recommend starting with that end of the scale...get to know our community first!
Is a membership required?
Not for social or educational events, but since perks like no ticket fees and free mixer tickets come with even the most basic level ($5!), we hope everyone on our list would consider joining: this is how we stay alive and offer low ticket prices! Membership *is* required for events where things might get physical. It is instant -- you can sign up and buy tickets right away. There's no commitment beyond the one month you sign up for, but we hope you stay with us for at least a few months to see how the events can vary.
Why a membership?
Because everyone loves affordable ticket prices and free community events! Membership is the most democratic way we can keep up our commitment to financial inclusivity: those who can afford higher tiers cover core costs for those on lower tiers, and we don't need to raise ticket prices to cover the financial shortfall. (Take a look at what other play parties charge to see this in action!). If it helps, think of membership as a collective layaway program for event tickets.
Also because rent is due on our incredible clubhouse Gemini & Scorpio Loft every month, whether you show up to a single party or not. The Loft is a magic island of DIY creativity and affordability in an increasingly corporate and expensive NYC, and your membership is the secret to its survival. We could have gone the Patreon route...but membership gives you more perks.
In addition to the financial factors, having a membership gives us an accountability system: there are no anonymous strangers at our events, and we take consent and consequences very seriously.
Is approval or anything else required?
The only events that require approval are play events. Some events have a dress code, and some require a PAL. You can find a full chart of HoS requirements on the "how to attend" page, plus each event's invite has a "HoS Rules" section with full details. Additionally, *all* HoS events run under our Code of Conduct.
The three pages linked here are required reading, so please check them out before buying tickets. There's also a handy FAQ section on the "attend" page that will likely cover everything else you're unsure about. Have questions after reading the FAQ? We're always reachable by email or socials (column on right).