PHOTOGRAPHY Lena Di
INTERVIEW by Juliet Belkin
Charlotte “CB” Glasser - Executive Host in Casino Marketing for Encore Boston Harbor as well as an influential leader within the LGBTQ+ community and notable producer, with a passion for pushing ideas into bigger and better realities.
We sat down with Charlotte in New York to talk about how she overcame all the obstacles in life, achieved success and a perfect balance between work and personal life.
Photography Lena Di
What were you like as a child? Who are you today?
I wouldn’t go so far as to say I was a terror as a child, but I sort of was. I think I was really attempting to figure myself out early on. I have always been highly observant and interested in attention, both good and bad. These younger behaviors have translated into my adult life but in a more positive way. I very much focus on my career goals and the vision I have for myself in the projects and relationships I take on. Though I am still thirsty for attention, now I believe that I aim to use my voice to bring visibility to the projects and passions that mean so much to me. I am very open about being medicated for my diagnosed Anxiety Disorder and ADHD. Maybe if I was more aware of these predispositions as a child I could have channeled that energy differently. I don’t have any regrets in learning about my disorders later in life, I think the struggles taught me a lot and I am better off because of them. But, some things will never change and I can’t help but speak up when I feel compelled to do so, but now I think I am able to be more respectful and thoughtful in my delivery.
What was the biggest curveball, biggest surprise in life?
In retrospect, coming out as gay wasn’t as big a surprise as I originally thought. When I realized that I had a preference towards relationships with women over men, it was completely LEFT of the lifestyle I had been living, as a self-described high femme, straight girl. It wasn’t until after I explored my sexuality and gender expression that I realized I had been toying with these feelings and preferences since the very beginning. Altering my presentation, from primarily feminine to now more masculine of center, was an adjustment. My entire friend circle expanded and my interests in new experiences both personally and professionally reached new levels. I feel very fortunate to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community and naturally engrained in communities outside of these identities as well.
Photography Lena Di
Recently on your Instagram , under one of your photos you quoted " I’m so in love with life right now. " Why now? Tell us all about it!
For years I struggled with my anxiety and issues with focus, not knowing that there may have been a reason for the obstacles I sometimes felt I was self-inflicting struggle. Years of failed attempts to rectify certain negative feelings and episodes was hard. For the past two years, I have been taking effective medications for my anxiety and ADHD and I have never felt more balanced. In treating my mental illness with therapy and medication, along with lots of life lessons lived, I now feel capable to handle the highs and lows that are inevitable. In addition to my personal efforts, I recently joined the opening team for Encore Boston Harbor. The colleagues and friends that I work with in my day-to-day continue to support me and bolster my creativity. Every day that I go to work I feel motivated and excited to do my best. I am especially proud and grateful for the opportunity Encore Boston Harbor has given me in producing our very first hightea event on September 28. This event crosses all boundaries uniting demographics of all expressions and presentations. Of all the events I have produced to date I think hightea has been my proudest accomplishment, and it hasn’t even happened yet! Working with the different departments and teams at Encore Boston Harbor is a dream environment that I hope other companies strive for.
Photography Lena Di
What are some of the challenges you face today?
Returning to Boston after years in New York City and Los Angeles has been more challenging than I originally anticipated. The LGBTQ+ community that I was engrossed in prior to my move to NYC has changed, and with that change coming home feels very different. I hope that in my programming and production of hightea, bringing networks together, and pushing myself into a visible position, will make a positive impact to the entire Boston area. At first, I wanted to run back to LA, but a friend pointed out that if I felt uncomfortable presenting as I do in certain neighborhoods maybe others were uncomfortable too. Now I see that I have a responsibility to share and grow perspective in the area.
Photography Lena Di
How do you define love?
Can anyone really define love? I mean, if I had to, I guess I would say it is a non-judgmental, unconditional feeling that gives me a sense of safety, appreciation, and understanding. I feel love from a lot of people even if we don’t call it that. Anytime I can share with another person and there is mutual respect and patience shared – that is love.
What's a day in life of Charlotte looks like?
My girlfriend, Genie, wakes up before me (bless her) and takes our two dogs, Sedgwick (9) and Lucy (2) outside. Somewhere between her waking up and my actual alarm going off we have coffee together and sit with our pups and talk about our day to come. I shower, suit up and head to my desk at Encore Boston Harbor. As an Executive Host I spend time communicating with guests on the phone, via text or email. Then I hit the floor and mingle with anyone and everyone that needs assistance or who wants to chat it up with me. Have I mentioned I love my job? My colleagues in the Casino Marketing office are all high energy and positive people, making it very easy to come in each day, talk about goals, our lives and the guests we service. My work with programming and hightea takes a large chunk of my day recently, which I utilize to make sure all the logistics are going smoothly; I am inviting and overseeing all the little details. This event is special to me, especially because it is my first with Encore Boston Harbor, my first since my return to Boston and an incredibly diverse and inclusive initiative. I am feeling extremely excited and proud.
What is your style?
My style varies but with so many hours spent in the office I am really loving my professional attire. I recently partnered with The Tailory of NYC as a Brand Ambassador. They have been so amazing to work with and have outfitted me in a bespoke blue paisley tuxedo with black satin accents, it’s incredible. It’s important to me in anything I wear to feel like I am presenting my most confident, authentic self and in order for me to do that I need attire that fits. I am 5’4” (technically) but consider myself 6’2” – height is a state of mind! I am grateful to brands like The Tailory making suiting accessible to stylish humans like myself who want to dress their best and feel their best simultaneously. Just wait until you see the additional suits they are making for me!
Photography Lena Di
You are quite a fashion icon and supporter of LGBT designers among LGBT community. Who are the ones who stand out today?
This is a completely unfair question because the list is incredibly long of designers I love! Obviously, I have already mentioned The Tailory, who is at the top of my list. I also appreciate Sharpe Suiting, Bindle & Keep, Kirrin Finch, Stuzo Clothing, Nicolette Mason’s Premme brand was gorgeous and sophisticated. Nylon, under past EIC Gabrielle Korn, really stretched the fashion standards and I am so happy reading her coverage of this year’s NYFW with InStyle Magazine, all fashion enthusiasts should follow her lead.
What is next for Charlotte Glasser?
My hope is to have an incredible time with all those that attend hightea at Encore Boston Harbor’s South lawn on September 28, we will be dancing from 3pm to sunset. Following that event I think I will take a deep breath and keep the concepts coming. I want to continue to program and produce events here in Boston that resonate with overlapping communities, create new experiences and embrace sharing perspectives. I love working with the guests of Encore Boston Harbor and am so grateful that every day I wake up next to a beautiful girl, (hi, Genie) two gorgeous dogs, and then suit up feeling like Superman and go to what feels like a palace, surrounded by people I respect and enjoy.
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