Ready for a Rural Queer Health Buddy? (And more!)
December 2021
Hey Out in the Open Family!
What do we want!? HEALTH JUSTICE!
When do we want it!?! 2022!!!
(Ok, if you yelled "NOW," that was a great answer too.)
Through the last year we've been healing together; growing, resting, and preparing; studying, dreaming, and collaborating in our rural queer communities. If the pandemics and health system injustices that afflict us and our communities have shown us anything, it's that we thrive through connection with each other. We trust ourselves and our community members to know what we need. Mutual support- whether it's sharing love, knowledge, resources- is the way LGBTQ folks and rural folks have survived for generations. This is how we will continue to build a sustainable future together.
Thank you for all you've been doing to cultivate, nourish, and enjoy our community as we deepen our health justice work. The Rural Trans & Queer Health Justice Working Group has been meeting through the year to address systemic injustices, strategize, and advocate for better systems. You received, sent, and contributed to care packages, attended Rural LGBTQ+ Town Halls, and virtual mutual support spaces. We worked together to fundraise, request, and distribute over $33,700 (!) in mutual aid funds to rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ folks since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Now, with your ongoing support, we are excited to launch our new Rural LGBTQ+ Health Buddy Pilot Program! We know that health care is a human right, and no one should go into potentially traumatic situations alone. In 2022, a new Health Justice Organizer (HJO) will join our team to help craft the program. The HJO and trained volunteers will accompany rural LGBTQ+ individuals in Windham County, Vermont in healthcare settings, offer support, and advocate for their needs to be met, as we organize for broader health justice and systematic change together. (More details will be announced next month!)
Will you pledge your support for this work in the year ahead? Make a donation today, send us a note of encouragement, and/or promise to request the mutual aid you may need in the year ahead. However you show up in this work, we are grateful to be connecting in community with you!
Wishing you a new year filled with inspiration, healing, & all the queer joy your heart can hold,
~Aiden (Ain)
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Aiden (Ain) Thompson
Director of Development & Outreach
at@weareoutintheopen.org